Some people may call me a gym rat, but there’s no better feeling than getting my workout in every day. It’s a little slice of “me” time that I carve out of my day. I feel energized and focused when I’m done and that’s what keeps me motivated to keep up the routine. Since I’ve got years of gym time under my belt, I’ve learned a few things & these are my gym bag essentials for women that I can’t live without!
11 Gym Bag Essentials For Women: Don’t Leave the House Without
Below are my non-negotiable items that are always in my gym bag. I love buying a few extra of each item, so I can replenish my bag without much hassle. One common thread between all of these items is the ability to be portable. Gym bag essentials are all about being great “on-the-go” solutions.
When you’re packing your gym bag, it’s important to think about what you’ll need before your workout, during and afterwards. That way you’ll be prepared for every scenario. Take into consideration the types of workouts you do too. Do you need to pack for swim and spin or just weight lifting?
1. CLOTHES & HAIR CARE PRODUCTS
No matter what time of the day you workout, don’t forget to pack your workout clothes and dry clean clothes for post workout. If you workout on your lunch break or you workout before work, you’ll want the change of clothes. If you pack the clothes in a separate pouch, the wet dirty clothes won’t ruin your gym bag and cause undo smells.
Don’t forget the extra undergarments, socks, and bra. They’re most important and I think they’re the easiest to forget about. Other items that are easily forgotten are small hair care products. I pack extra hair ties (I can’t live without Teleties) and a small travel brush. It’s the worst when you get the gym and don’t have a hair tie. I’m not sure why gyms don’t sell women hair ties for when they forget.
2. TOWEL, FLIP FLOPS, & TOILETRIES
If you take a shower, post-workout, you’ll need to pack a bag of toiletries. Consider using travel-sized products and leave the full size at home. A clear travel pouch makes it easy to see if you have the toiletries you need. If you’re at the gym every day, but don’t wash your hair daily, a shower cap is great to have on hand. Don’t forget to pack some feminine hygiene products, too.
3. DEODORANT
Deodorant is a total gym bag essential that I never want to forget. I prefer to use a spray, so that it’s quick and easy to re-fresh on the go. This is one product where you could probably use the full size item and it won’t take up too much extra space.
4. BODY WIPES
Body wipes are a great solution for when you’re tight on time and need to forgo the shower. It’s going to happen eventually. They’re great in a pinch and perfect after a quick sweat session. They’ve grown in popularity over the years and you’ll feel better using them than forgetting them. They can be used alongside your deodorant if you’re skipping the shower all together.
5. DRY SHAMPOO
If you packed that shower cap I mentioned above, you might want to pack dry shampoo as well. It helps absorb the oil and sweat at your roots after a workout, leaving you with manageable locks.
6. HEADPHONES & WATCH
Music makes my workout. I can’t get motivated without the tunes pumping. Headphones are definitely a priority for many of my workouts. I love that there are great portable options that are small for your gym bag. I’ve gone wireless and it’s been life-changing! Most headphones are USB C compatible. Pack an extra charging cable in your gym bag just in case you need to charge the headphones.
I always wear my Apple Watch and I love my cute Apple Watch bands, but don’t forget to bring it to the gym. I hate when I forget my watch and a workout doesn’t track. My Portable Apple Watch Charger is a keychain, so I can get some more juice if my watch is low.
7. SNACKS & WATER BOTTLE
I’m always prepared with snacks – wherever I go. It just seems that this is a non-negotiable and one of my favorite gym bag essentials. It’s just great to have a snack to look forward to after your workout as well. To go along with your snack, don’t forget your favorite water bottle. I like to bring one that I can re-fill. Portable snacks that aren’t fresh work best, but I pair them with a fresh item that I can refill daily. I’ll fill it up during my workout and afterwards, so I can enjoy it alongside my snack.
Some of my favorite snack combinations:
- Apple & Peanut Butter
- Cheese & Crackers
- Protein Bar & Water
- Protein Shake & Fruit
8. A GYM LOCK
Many gyms require guests to bring along their own lock to protect your belongings in the locker room. A basic 4-digit lock with passcode is all you need. All of these gym bag essentials don’t hold much value and I don’t recommend bringing any high value items into the gym. However, it’s much better than leaving high value items in your car.
Car theft is high at gym parking lots because they know you’re inside for at least an hour usually. Consider Apple Air Tags for any high value item that could be tempting to steal. Read up on how to prevent car break-ins and leave your car secure while you’re working out.
9. ANTI-CHAFFING BALM
This may be the marathon runner in me, but there are some great anti-chaffing products out there that I can’t live without. It prevents any friction that might cause skin irritation. I recommend Body Glide Cream because it absorbs easily and doesn’t leave a residue on the skin. It really helps me go the distance without bother.
10. SANTIZING WIPES
I bring my own anti-bacterial wipes. Gym equipment is nasty and full of germs. I don’t trust that the person in front me cleaned the equipment. Buying travel size sanitizing wipes doesn’t take up much room and it’s great to wipe down the equipment before and after using it. Another essential, in this category, is hand sanitizer. Germs are plentiful at the gym and I don’t want to take any home!
11. YOGA MAT OR TOWEL
Speaking of germs, one of the places they love to hang out is on the gym’s yoga mats. I bring my own yoga mat (you can certainly use a towel too) and it gives me peace of mind that I’m only lying somewhere no one else has been. Some of the best gym bags are the ones that have a spot for your rolled yoga mat. I love that feature!