This post will tell you exactly what to bring to the gym (female edition)!
Whether you’re wondering what to bring to the gym for beginners or seasoned athletes, this post is going to help you know what to keep in your gym bag at all times!
You’ll never have to pack and unpack your bag — you’ll just always have it ready to throw over your shoulder and go! Easy peasy.
Even as a CrossFit athlete, for the longest time I didn’t get a gym bag and would just load my arms with whatever that day’s workout was going to require… But my mornings have been 10x easier since I actually packed a bag with ALL my gym bag essentials, and now I bring that bag to the gym with me every day!
It takes a lot of thinking and guess work out, and ensures I always have what I need.☺️
This post is all about what to bring to the gym (female edition.)
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What to Bring to the Gym (Female Edition)
Best Gym Bags for Women
If you’re curious what bag to bring to the gym, here is a list of the best gym bags for women, regardless of what your training style is!
What to Put in a Women’s Gym Bag
If you’re wondering what to carry in a gym bag for a woman, here are the gym bag essentials you may want to pack (depending on what your fitness goals are and what type of training you’re doing), along with what they’re used for!
1. YOUR LIFE ESSENTIALS
First of all, make sure not to run off without your phone, house keys, and wallet! On top of that, make sure to include everything you need on a regular basis like chapstick, hair ties, or bobby pins.
2. WATER BOTTLE
Personally, I don’t think you should go anywhere without a water bottle because it’s so good to drink water constantly! I absolutely love my Zulu water bottle because it’s half a gallon, easy to carry, and if I fill it up twice a day, I’ve got my gallon in for the day!
However, I typically keep a spare small recyclable water bottle in my gym bag as well, just incase.
These towels are truly the best for the gym because they’re gentle on your skin and are super sweat-absorbent.
If you’re doing any type of olympic or power lifting, a weightlifting belt is extremely helpful in helping you brace your core (which can help you lift more weight) and it will also help protect your back from injury.
Knee sleeves are another lifesaver if you’re doing any type of weighted squatting or lunging. They’ll help cushion the delicate ligaments and tendons in your knees and give them extra support. If you take care of your knees, they’ll last longer! 😉
Wearing lifters is incredibly helping when doing olympic lifting movements (like snatches and cleans.) They support your balance and help stabilize you for heavier lifts.
If you’re like me, you have a favorite pair of training shoes, but that doesn’t always mean that your training shoes are the best option for workouts that involve running. Keep a pair of good running shoes in your gym bag so you always have them when needed!
8. AN EXTRA SPORTS BRA, PAIR OF SOCKS, SHORTS, AND TANK TOP
I always keep extra clothes in my gym bag just incase I get too sweaty, spill something, or want to change for any other reason!
9. JUMP ROPE
If you do CrossFit, then having a jump rope is a must! If you aren’t a CrossFitter, you can still certainly benefit from using a jump rope. It’s a great way to raise your heart rate, burn calories, and challenge your agility!
10. HAND GRIPS
If you’re going to be doing any pull-ups, you’ll probably want a pair of grips to help save your hands! They’re also crucial to have if you’re doing CrossFit because you’ll be hanging on a bar quite often and (trust me) you don’t want your hands to rip! 😬
11. DEODORANT
Always keep a deodorant and maybe a small bottle of body spray in your gym bag! Need I say more?
12. SHOWER ESSENTIALS
If you’re wondering what to bring to the gym to shower, you can’t go wrong with just keeping a fresh shower towel, your shampoo and conditioner, and body wash in your bag. (As well as a fresh change of clothes.)
Don’t forget your shower shoes!
13. HAND TAPE
If you’re doing any type of olympic lifting (cleans or snatches) then you’ll want to tape your thumbs, to prevent them from ripping!
14. MAKEUP WIPES
If you typically need to take off your makeup at the gym, these makeup wipes are gentle on your skin and are free from lots of toxins that many brands hold! Using wipes can be a lot more convenient than washing your face at the gym and getting water everywhere.
15. HEADPHONES
If you workout on your own, rather than in a class setting, you’ll probably want your headphones so you can listen to some pump-up jams or your favorite podcast!
Honestly, I have absolutely LOVED my Apple AirPods… I usually don’t care about having the fanciest technology, but AirPods are so convenient because they automatically connect to your iPhone and they don’t fall out of your ears during exercise.
16. LOCK
If you exercise in a larger gym or somewhere with lockers, it may be wise to buy a good lock to keep your things safe while you train.
17. PROTEIN POWDER + A SHAKER BOTTLE
Hands down, without a-shadow-of-a-doubt, 1st Phorm has the absolute best quality protein on the market. Phormula-1 is the isolate protein you’ll want to drink immediately upon finishing a workout.
We love these 20-oz shaker bottles because they get the job done but are less to clean.
18. HEALTHY CARB-HEAVY SNACKS
After you workout, your body needs 2 things: healthy carbs and proteins.
Carbs are what will replenish your energy after a workout. A few easy healthy options are a banana, apple, or applesauce.
19. HAIRBRUSH
Because what gal doesn’t love a good brushing-of-the-hair after a messy workout?!
My Wet Brush is and always will be my favorite brush I’m pretty sure!
20. SMARTWATCH/FITNESS TRACKER
If you’re not an Apple Watch girl, let me introduce you to the Garmin Vivosmart. Personally, I just wanted a simple watch that told me the time, my daily steps, and my heart rate.. And this watch has been perfect!
What to Bring to the Gym for Beginners
If you’re wondering what to bring to the gym for the first time, you probably don’t need very much other than a comfortable outfit, some nice training shoes, and a water bottle!
Depending on what type of training you’re doing, you may need some of the items from the list above! Definitely read through it and see what’s going to work for you.
You can also never go wrong bringing a sweat towel with you.
What to Pack in Gym Bag Before Work
If you’re headed to work from the gym, make sure to bring:
- Your work clothes and shoes
- A shower towel (or two, if needed,) unless your gym supplies these
- Shower shoes
- Makeup
- Hair care products (hair dryer, shampoo/conditioner, ponytail holders/clips, brush)
- Deodorant/perfume/body spray
- Body lotion
- Facial care products
- Anything else you need for your shower such as shower gel and a washcloth
What Type of Towel to Bring to the Gym
Microfiber towels are perfect for the gym because they are very sweat-absorbent. These microfiber towels are aesthetically pleasing, come in a pack of 3, and are a great price!
This post was all about what to bring to the gym (female edition.)
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