Do you often forget your water bottle and skip the gym? Get in an efficient workout at the gym with these 6 gym bag essentials, a great guide to start 2016.
Here at TheBeardMag we care about your fitness and want make sure that you are fully prepared when it comes to going to the gym.
From our previous knowledge of the gym, we know that preparation and routine is key to success and motivating yourself to achieve. In this article we will look to cover some of the essential items that you should always have with you. Whether you are a regular gym goer or just a casual user, making sure you have these items will ensure that you are reaching your fitness goals and not finding excuses to skip a session. When it comes to what essential you need before you go to the gym, making sure that you follow this checklist will dismiss those excuses you once had.
In no particular order here are the items that advise you should always carry…
Gym Bag
The one thing that holds everything together is the Gym bag. Whether you prefer a duffel bag or a backpack? making sure that you have a big enough carrier for all of your essentials is a necessity when it comes to any form of workout.
Padlock & Water Bottle
Dependant on the gym you attend, most of them require you to use your own padlock on the locker. Gyms are hotspots for thieves and gadget grabbers, you want to avoid having your gear lying around or being unprotected when you leave them. Pop to your local DIY store and pick yourself one, combination locks are preferable as you won’t have to worry about carrying a key during your workout.
There used to be a time when a water bottle was just a water bottle, now you can get water bottles that have carbon filters partly made with coconut to instantly turn tap water into fresh water wherever you are. Hydration is key element to losing fat and weight and is key in replenishing the salt and other electrolytes you lose when you sweat.
Gloves
Using gloves in the gym is often advised when performing resistance training or gripping heavy weights, especially for the lat pull-over bar, rowing bar, or overhead bar with which to do hanging abs routines. We advise investing in a strong pair of gloves with wrist straps included that can withstand constant usage and won’t wear down after minimal usage,
Not only are gym gloves beneficial from an exercise perspective but they also help protect your inner palms from getting calluses, blisters and rough skin.
MP3 Player
MP3 players used to focus only on storing music, gone are these days. As MP3 players become smarter and more intelligent you can now use them as functioning tools to assist you in your workout routine. Most new MP3 players include a diary, stopwatch, fitness apps and hundreds of other functions which can help you record and track your progress.
You want to avoid taking your Smartphone into the gym with you as this can be a distraction, missed calls and replying to text messages can often use valuable time between sets and exercises. Combine it with an armband so you can easily use it when you’re working out, and your phone becomes a gym accessory you can’t do without.
Protein Shake
Making sure that you are digesting the right amount of vitamins and protein after your workout is vital to start healing the muscles you have damaged when exercising. Ideally you should take a high protein shake within fifteen minutes of your last exercise, getting the protein into your body at the right time begins the healing process for the micros tears you sustained. Ideally a protein shake with a good level of carbs is ideal as it becomes a key catalyst to an insulin spike in your body, increasing the speed that nutrients can absorb into your muscle.
If you are exercising regularly and at a high intensely you should be looking to get two grams of protein per kg of your bodyweight per day – or even slightly more. Experts advise that this protein is staggered throughout the day as your body can only consume a certain amount before disregarding it. Don’t expect your shake to do all the work for you, either. “In terms of maximising muscle accretion, your progress is driven entirely by your workout,” says Ursula Arens of SENSE.
Towel/Change of Clothes
After you have finished your workout and had your post workout shake you need to make sure that you are looking and smelling fresh, make sure you take a towel to the gym with you so you have a shower after your workout. A shower will invigorate you after your workout and will make sure you are smelling fresh, some gyms offer soap and gel but if they don’t then make sure you carry your own bottle in your bag.
Make sure you always carry some spare clothes with you to change into after the gym, often you continue to sweat in your workout clothes where you risk damaging them, as the moisture can affect the material when it dries.
As long as you make sure that you are carrying these items whenever you are going to the gym, you will never go wrong. It’s up to you now to motivate yourselves to either start going to the gym or keep up that motivation to continue throughout the year.