# What's in your gym bag? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 24, 2004, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-in-your-gym-bag/246772 "2004-05-24T12:12:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![screech-owl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/82dd89/32.png) [@screech-owl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/screech-owl)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2004, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-in-your-gym-bag/246772/1 "2004-05-24T12:12:02Z")
I’m heading to the gym today: finally decided I have to do something with all the stress and the lack of shape. And honestly, it’s been awhile, so I am honest with myself and expecting no miracles. Just some better results than I have right now. 🙂 Ennnnnnnywaysssssss. All you folks (especially the ladies) with more workout experience than I have: what’s standard in your gym bag? What should I bring for working out and cleaning myself up afterwards? I do not want to overpack and need to tip a Sherpa to lug it back and forth, but I do not want to get there and realize I shoulda/oughta/didn’t need \. The place does provide hairspray (don’t need it - my hair is limp in Florida) and spray deodorant (theirs is an unknown generic, pumped from a container under the sink, and kinda sticky, while I prefer my own). They do have plenty of hairdryers and also have an iron and ironing board (yay! in case I have to go anywhere fancy after working out). Nice place, very clean, (no pool or Jacuzzi, but it does have a sauna), and it’s open 24 hours, so when insomnia hits at 3 am, I have somewhere to go! Wish me the best. Any tips on staying motivated would be helpful too. I have my own motivations, but any additional push would be helpful. ---
**Author:** ![Hanna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b3f665/32.png) [@Hanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hanna)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2004, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-in-your-gym-bag/246772/2 "2004-05-24T12:29:36Z")
My gym provides towels, so I don’t know if you need those or not. My bag includes my MP3 player, water bottles, and a towel wrap (one of those velcro thingies so I don’t have to run to the shower naked), flip flops, and my swimsuit. I bring my own soaps and shampoos/conditioners. Extra batteries for the MP3 player, and a clean change of clothes. That’s about it! ---
**Author:** ![plnnr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@plnnr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/plnnr)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2004, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-in-your-gym-bag/246772/3 "2004-05-24T12:31:32Z")
Not a female, but dedicated fitness guy. In my gym bag: Short Tank Jock (I’m guessing you won’t be needed one of these) Socks Shoes Lifting gloves Shampoo Deoderant Soap Shaving kit Toothbrush/toothpaste Brush Towel Suggestions: Don’t worry about what other people are doing, look like, or saying. You’re at the gym for you, so do your thing. Don’t be afraid to ask the staff questions. It is more important to lift and exercise with proper form, than it is to lift a ton of weight. If you don’t use proper form you could get hurt, and then you won’t want to come back. Come back. Even when you don’t think you feel like it. Hard day? Tired? Frustratted? Go to the gym. Once you get there and get situated all the other stuff can fall away and you can do your set. You’ll feel much better. You can expect to see some immediate results - muscles toning up, strength increasing, weight loss. As your body gets used to you asking more of it, the results won’t be as dramatic. That’s when you need to change your routine, increase the degree of difficulty. Your appetite will probably increase. That’s ok. Your body needs fuel to grow stronger. Just make sure it is good fuel and not junk. Drink plenty of water. My gym had a month long promotion. Each time you went, you got a little card punched. At the end of the month the gym threw a party and you got as many raffle tickets as holes were punched in your card. I won two tickets to see the Moody Blues. The main prize was a week’s trip to the Bahamas. That was a pretty big motivation. The biggest motivator? Being able to look in the mirror and say “Damn, I look pretty good.” Second biggest motivator? Having someone else look at you and say “Damn, she looks great.” ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2004, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-in-your-gym-bag/246772/4 "2004-05-24T13:33:14Z")
I’m male my list is this Gym pants gym shirt lifting gloves padlock shampoo soap face cleanser back scrubber towel book MP3 player ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2004, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-in-your-gym-bag/246772/5 "2004-05-24T16:12:33Z")
I’m male, so take this as you will. Since I live about 5 minutes from my gym, I don’t worry too much about cleaning up there. Here’s what I carry: Shorts (if I’m not already wearing them) Towel (the gym-provided towels are really small) Water bottle Padlock & key Training log & a pen That’s pretty much all I need. ---
**Author:** ![Elenfair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/cc9497/32.png) [@Elenfair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elenfair)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2004, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-in-your-gym-bag/246772/6 "2004-05-24T17:41:19Z")
Well! MY Gym bag is far more cooler than you’ses. Aw yeah. It contains: -a pin brush -a slicker brush -elastics -cards with numbers on them -a couple of catalogues -a couple of “premiums” -a comb -a bottle of Fluff-Out -a towel -a bottle of Super Blue Rinceless Shampoo -thinning shears -straight shears -registration papers -baby wipes -nail clippers -a couple of show leads. … 😃 Yeah yeah yeah, I should use it to go to the GYM sometimes, but right now it’s really the perfect size to take the stuff I need for dogshows… Elly ---
**Author:** ![overlyverbose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9dc877/32.png) [@overlyverbose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overlyverbose)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2004, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-in-your-gym-bag/246772/7 "2004-05-24T18:28:09Z")
I’ve always got: -pair of goggles -swimcap -Ben-Gay (yes, I realize I’m only 28, but I’m training for a triathalon, and, hell, it’s just useful sometimes) -Advil (useful for marathon training) -bottle of water -mini shampoo & conditioner -small radio w/ arm strap -lock and key for my locker -a book in case I’m doing something where I can read and I’m by myself (usually only on a recumbent bike) -extra sports bra -extra pair of socks -extra hair elastics -Band Aids for blisters -Body Glide to prevent chafing if I’m going to be working out for a long time -deodorant Depending on if I’m running, biking, swimming, weight-lifting, or a combination thereof, I might have: -swimsuit -towel -running shoes -running/biking shorts -coolmax t-shirt -sports bra -socks -weight lifting gloves (though I don’t use 'em too often - I often find they get in the way more often than they help) -clean undies if I’m not going home to shower -the clothes I changed out of if I came from somewhere other than home ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2004, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-in-your-gym-bag/246772/8 "2004-05-24T21:40:58Z")
It depends on the gym (some gyms provide certain items, some do not. Mine, for example, provides soap, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, deoderant, combs, hair dryers, curling irons, an iron (and ironing board), and most importantly unlimited towels and lockers with locks - so you don’t have to bring your own.), what I plan to do there, and what I’m doing afterwards. (If I didn’t swim, and I’m going straight home to where I live on my own and not seeing anyone for the rest of the evening, I’ll skip the shower.) So, in my permanent locker, I have shampoo, conditioner, lotion, face cleanser, and deoderant (I don’t like theirs - I will use their soap), and my goggles and swim caps. In my gym bag, I have appropriate clothes for the activity (usually from among the following: exercise bra, shirt, lycra shorts, bike shorts, swim suit, socks, shoes), my heart rate monitor, a walkman, head phones, extra music, & batteries (if I’m worried about it). Plus, I keep my dance stuff in the gym bag so I know where it is. Overall, it’s pretty light unless something odd is going to occur. ---
**Author:** ![sishoch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3e96dc/32.png) [@sishoch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sishoch)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2004, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-in-your-gym-bag/246772/9 "2004-05-24T22:59:31Z")
Man here. What I carry: Swim pass door key comb towel speedo and/or tri-shorts swim goggles body wash shampoo razor washcloth change of clothes (whatever’s appropriate for the season) ---
**Author:** ![look\_hergo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85e7bf/32.png) [@look\_hergo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/look_hergo)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2004, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-in-your-gym-bag/246772/10 "2004-05-24T23:21:04Z")
I have a paper tacked up on the wall by my closet so I remember what-all to pack in my gym bag the night before. I call it “Gymbag Ingredients”: shorts t-shirt or tank (depends on weather) jogbra socks clean undies Things that have permanent residence in my bag for shower/personal care: shampoo & conditioner body wash & lotion (this is really expensive, yummy stuff that I only use at the gym; it’s motivation!) special face-washing soap spa gloves (like loofahs you wear – they’re great!) razor moisturizer comb, hair ties, hairspray cotton swabs deodorant curling iron (for my ever-in-need-of-a-trim bangs) My hint for success is: if you possibly can, **go first thing in the morning**. Then, no matter what else happens that day, you’ll have your workout done. I used to fit my workout in whenever, but it got too easy to come up with reasons I could skip that day: it’s too hot, I’m tired from work, I have a bunch of stuff to do at home, etc. Now I get to the gym around 6:30 am and by the time I wake up, I’m halfway done! And later on when it’s too hot, or I’m tired, etc., my run is already out of the way. Also, get to know the name of at least one staff person right away, and always say hi to them. That way, you’ll start to feel like you’re among friends – and soon you will be! ---
**Author:** ![Ashes\_Ashes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/db5fbb/32.png) [@Ashes\_Ashes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashes_Ashes)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2004, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-in-your-gym-bag/246772/11 "2004-05-24T23:24:05Z")
I shower at home so I really only carry my gym clothes (I favor yoga pants and t-shirts), shoes, socks, jog bras, an ugly pink hair scrunchy that holds my hair perfectly, and a towel. Oh yes, the swipey key thing on a springy cord, a straw/sip-type water bottle, and a take-out menu from the chinese food place next door. When I showered at the gym I used a combo body wash, shampoo and conditioner stuff from Philosophy. That cut down on what I had to lug around. A little make-up bag with trial size deoderant, lotion, hair gunk, etc. was nice to have. Flip flops, they are a must-have in my book. ---
**Author:** ![screech-owl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/82dd89/32.png) [@screech-owl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/screech-owl)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2004, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-in-your-gym-bag/246772/12 "2004-05-25T00:05:08Z")
Thank y’all for the suggestions: most of the stuff listed I already packed in my bag (except for the jock!). I had an extra lock at home, so that saved me a trip to Wal\*Mart, but I did pack a pair of ‘spa gloves’ rather than a body puff for that all-over exfoliation/get the sweat off me! Definitely getting a pair of flip flops for the shower - forgot I had a cheapie thin pair from my last pedicure. Going to get me a set of headphones - there are two jumbotrons with 4 different cable stations each - just plug in a headset and CNN is all mine! I may hold off on the reading for a bit - I want to concentrate on form and such right now. Definitely for later - I know myself, and I would get too engrossed in what I was reading and…find…myself…slow…ing…down… And at least I now have a new use for all of those leftover towels from when I redid my bathroom - tropical bright completely clashes with my new burgundy/navy scheme, so the old ones become my ‘wipe up my sweat/sit on in the sauna/use at the gym only’ towels. Thanks for the hints, and the motivation will come in handy now, as well as further down the road! The gym is near work, so at least I can get a nice shower and sauna before or after work. Yay! Oooh, and I like the ‘attendance promotion’ idea. Might mention that to staff. ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2004, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-in-your-gym-bag/246772/13 "2004-05-25T04:54:16Z")
I don’t do the gym, but there’s a room where I go for yoga and Pilates. In my bag I have: my mat a bottle of water water ear plugs for when I do water aerobics small towel two shirts capris or yoga pants sometimes a hair holder sometimes a wristband two Thera-Bands moist towelettes. When the temp heats up, I’ll be carrying two large towels and my pool shoes, plus plastic bags for all my wet stuff when I climb out of the pool. ---
**Author:** ![Flutterby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Flutterby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flutterby)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2004, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-in-your-gym-bag/246772/14 "2004-05-25T05:56:16Z")
My gym bag is my backpack, before I go I drop in an old towel, my sneakers (gym requires indoor shoes), lock, water bottle, discman and waist pouch for discman. I do yoga sometimes but don’t have my own mat. As I live across the street from my gym, my inspiration is looking out and the gym mocking me “You pay me money, now get your butt over here and get your money’s worth” That and having dropped a dress size 😃 And with it being so close I just wear my gym clothes over and shower when I get home. Easier for me than carrying everything. ---
**Author:** ![burundi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3ec8ea/32.png) [@burundi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burundi)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2004, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-in-your-gym-bag/246772/15 "2004-05-25T12:36:51Z")
I’m a gym-bag minimalist: T-shirt Shorts Sports bra Socks Sneakers Towel Water bottle Book–this last is absolutely key. Their magazine selection sucks, and the gym’s TV is always tuned to CNN. My main suggestion, **screech-owl** is simply to establish a routine. Go the same time every day for two weeks, and before long it will seem perfectly natural. I go to the gym most days right after work. Good luck and have fun! ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_Doris](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5ac83/32.png) [@Sir\_Doris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_Doris)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2004, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-in-your-gym-bag/246772/16 "2004-05-25T13:20:26Z")
Right now, mostly wet towels and sweaty kit … My routine is to go first thing ('cos I can’t face after work) so I wear my kit, and take clothes that won’t crease too much. My gym provides nothing, so I take: towels shampoo, conditioner, shower gel body and face moisturiser makeup (some call it a post excercise heathy glow, I call it a red face) something to tie my hair back with weight lifting gloves (I didn’t bother when I first started and got callouses) headphones (sometimes) water (sometimes, but there’s a water fountain in the gym) membership card Tips for keeping motivated: Try and push yourself just a little bit harder every visit. Even if it’s just a couple more minutes on the treadmill. If you’re doing weights (which I recommend) try learning a variety of excercises for each muscle group, that way if someone is using the equipment you need, you’ve got an alternative. Remember you have to work very, very hard to get bulging muscles, so don’t be ariad to lift as heavy as you can (higher weights and fewer reps) I certainly get more of sense of acheivement out of that. If you can find a training buddy, that’s a good motivator. If not and you can afford it, book yourself a personal training session every so often. It’s easy to forget the techniques you’re shown in your induction, which means you’ll get less efficient in your training. I really need to practice what I preach here, I’ve been going through a lazy patch after an enforced rest due to injury and being too damned busy at work to spare the time. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2004, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-in-your-gym-bag/246772/17 "2004-05-25T13:46:32Z")
I don’t shower where I work out, so my gym bag is pretty minimal: gym shorts ratty T-shirt socks 5 oz bag of StarKist Hickory Smoked tuna EAS Cookies n’ Creme protein bar June copy of Men’s Fitness bottle of water 2 Listerine Pocket Paks jump rope combination lock lifting gloves running shoes ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2004, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-in-your-gym-bag/246772/18 "2004-05-25T14:24:11Z")
I have a gym locker where I keep my sneakers, shampoo, and racquetballs, so my gym bag has: Gym shirt gym trunks gym socks goggles (I play racquetball) extra street socks extra underwear spare goggles spare racquetballs spare shampoo towel (my gym doesn’t supply it, and I don’t want to leave it there) ---
**Author:** ![Cowgirl\_Jules](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4af34b/32.png) [@Cowgirl\_Jules](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cowgirl_Jules)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2004, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-in-your-gym-bag/246772/19 "2004-05-25T14:25:11Z")
This is a timely thread; I rejoined my gym yesterday, and this afternoon, I have my first session with the trainer. The only thing different in my bag are my walkman and a fanny pack for it and my inhaler. I learned the hard way last time to bring that out on the floor with me. We’ll see how it goes this time. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-in-your-gym-bag/246772/20 "2004-05-26T12:56:47Z")
Helmet, gorget, body armor, arm armor, leg harness, elbow pads, two basket-hilt broadswords (one plastic hilt, one bar stock), one cross-hilt broadsword, right demi-gauntlet (lost the left one), a pair of mitten gauntlets and my fighting tabard. Well, you _asked._ [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-in-your-gym-bag/246772.md?page=2)