Women’s Gym Bag Essentials: What Every Athlete Needs to Pack

Has the quality of your workout routine ever been diminished because you forgot your headphones? It happens and it can affect your workout frame of mind. Whether you’re a beginner or veteran, it’s critical to get your bag in order before you go to the gym so you can begin your workout feeling good.

Gym Bag Checklist

What you pack in your gym bag can depend on where you’re coming from (home or the office) and where you must go after you finish. Some women like to pack everything all the time because you never know what might come up. Let’s look at 16 gym bag essentials.

Personal Items: These are items you need to help you get through your workout and to make sure your bag is secure.

Healthy Snacks: You won’t want to overload on snacks but if it’s a long workout, consider bringing a protein bar and some dry nuts or dried fruits. Ideally, you’ll have a snack or small meal before you go.
Toiletries: Deodorant, shampoo and conditioner, wipes, a brush and a comb, and toothbrush and toothpaste are some important items you should have in your bag.
Lock: Don’t store your gym bag without a secure lock. A combination lock is inexpensive and easy to use. Some gyms sell them but it’s usually cheaper to buy one somewhere else.
Headphones: For people who like to listen to music while working out, headphones are a necessary item. Many people wear them into the gym but storing them in your bag when you’re done is a good idea.
Keys & Wallet: You don’t want to carry around a set of car and house keys and your wallet, so your gym bag is a good place for them. The bag will need to be in a secure locker.
Smart Watch: For accurate information on your heart rate and your calorie burn rate, make sure to pack a fitness watch.

Clothing: To get through your workout comfortably, make sure you have the proper clothes packed.

Athletic Socks: You’ll need a pair of socks for your workouts. The socks should be fast-drying, comfortable, and breathable.
Sports Bra: A sports bra should be sweat-wicking, comfortable, and well-ventilated with plenty of support.
Shorts: Your shorts should wick sweat, dry quickly, and be comfortable and lightweight.
Shirt: You’ll want to have 2 quality shirts in your bag. A comfortable, lightweight, sweat-wicking shirt with odor-control technology is a good option.

Gear: Make sure you have quality gear to help you finish your workout strong.

Water Bottle: Every workout requires a water bottle, which means every gym bag should have one. Look for a durable vacuum-insulated bottle that keeps the water chilled. It should be leak-resistant.
Shower Slides: Shower slides are a must to navigate locker room floors. Even if you don’t shower at the gym, it’s convenient to use slides to get to the gym and change. Quality slides should be lightweight and comfortable with plenty of cushioning.
Shoes: Don’t walk into the gym with your workout shoes on. You’ll want to preserve them. A good pair of shoes should be durable and comfortable, and they should be made for the type of training you are doing. For instance, you’ll want to wear running or perhaps cross-training shoes for a treadmill session.
Towels: Bring your own towel for the locker room. You can bring a small one for your workout to wipe off your sweat and the equipment and a large one if you plan to shower. Often, gyms provide small towels for free, but you may have to pay for a larger one.
Hair Tie: To keep your hair in place while you’re on the treadmill or lifting weights, bring hair accessories, like hair ties and bobby pins. It can get uncomfortable having your hair fly all over the place.
Weightlifting Gloves: If you’re lifting free weights, weightlifting gloves are a must. They’ll help protect your hands against scratches and bruises. A small pair should fit easily into your gym bag.

What to Look for in a Great Gym Bag

Your gym bag choice should reflect your needs. Maybe you just want to bring a water bottle and a few snacks. If so, then a small gym bag is perfect. A larger gym bag with compartments is ideal for someone working out after school or going to the gym when they’re finished with work. Selecting the right gym bag is about figuring out what works best for you.

Types of Gym Bags

There are generally 4 types of gym bags: a backpack, a duffle bag, a tote bag, and a sling bag.

Backpack: A gym backpack is built just like a backpack that carries your books and school tools. It should be water repellent in case you want to take it outside and should be spacious enough to hold a water bottle, your shoes, and some clothes and equipment. It’s convenient because you can carry it on your back. Sizes start at extra small and finish at XL.
Duffle Bag: Your duffle bag should be lightweight and comfortable with an adjustable shoulder strap. One advantage to a duffle bag is that it’s easy to travel with because the material is soft and flexible. Many fit easily in the overhead compartment of a plane. Duffle bags can come with compartments and dividers.
Tote Bag: A lightweight, airy, oversized tote bag is a good choice for someone that doesn’t like dividers and compartments and doesn’t want to waste time packing. You can throw everything you need in the bag quickly and head to the gym.
Sling Bag: A sling bag is like a compact version of a duffle bag. It usually has room for a few items, like your phone, keys, ID, water bottle, some clothes, and a computer tablet. It’s smaller than a duffle bag, which means it takes up less storage space and weighs less.

Getting your gym bag packed properly can help make your workout more comfortable. You might want to pack it at night before your exercise session, so you don’t have to think about what to put in your bag when it’s time to leave. Remember, a properly packed gym bag is key to an enjoyable workout.