It seems like such a straightforward premise, take the stuff you need from home to the gym. So you pack your bag with water for hydration, a towel to whip off the sweat from the machines or gym equipment, and a tripod if you plan to record yourself while working out. So bases covered, there should be no issues. Then the universe has a sense of humor and frequently throws curve balls to ensure you understand you are not in control.
While most gyms strive to provide articles such as disinfectant wipes, squirt bottles of alcohol, and clean-up services, yet its common place to find workout benches drenched in sweat, floors that need mopping up, and on the special occasion, dirty, discarded towels casually hanging on a weight rack that has been there for over a week yet no one seems to want to throw out. You might find the need to have a second towel and a small bottle of disinfectant just in case.
Then once you think you have the world figured out and start to make gains while avoiding hygiene issues, that gym bag starts to pile up. Now toting around supplement bottles, pre-workout, recovery, protein packs, a shaker bottle, a cup of oats, a change of clothes, medical tapes of all colors, and a dry bottle of what was once disinfectant that you keep promising yourself you will fill up. So take a moment to inventory what you have and really do not need. This article aims to help you make those choices.
While it seems unnecessary, the following two paragraphs are for those gym enthusiasts that are so hyper-focused on their routine that the more minor details go unchecked. For the love of god, clean your bag. Wash it, dry it and then refill it; please remember you carry around sweaty gym clothes there, and you spill pre-workout and other powders; given enough time, you might create a small thriving civilization hell-bent on dominating the world through mushroom spores.
Not to mention it is not unusual that the bag full of sweaty clothes might be forgotten about over the weekend in the trunk of a car or somewhere in the laundry room. That time left will cause the bag and its contents to smell. For your personal protection and those around you, please wash your bag and the contents there.
Always make space for things like knee braces/ankle cuff (the ones from Ortho Bracing are highly recommended), wrist support, and any elements that help with proper technique or keep you from injury. These are your priority since if you hurt yourself while training, it will definitely affect your performance. If you wear gloves to the gym to avoid calluses or keep an injury clean, ensure they are clean. If a doctor recommends it, you should take it with you.
It should be noted that elements like surgical tape or kinesiology sports tape are easy to carry since they come in rolls. These items have become a mainstay in the gym today, and with good reason. With its rigid structure and ability to keep itself taught, surgical tape has been seen to replace gloves. So it is a great tool to use to keep your hands in good condition, especially when lifting heavy.
K-tape, athletic tape, or Kinesiology tape are now frequent in most gyms. These elastic strips of take are part of and partial to recovery. This article will feature a small explanation since this item is essential.
Its use helps injured people to keep training despite their injury. K-Tape was developed in the late 70s by Dr. Kenzo Kase. The Japanese chiropractitioner came up with the idea for the tape while treating athletes who, regardless of his advice, insisted on training while injured. The athletes he treated were reluctant to complete the recommended procedures for recovery since they meant they would have to take time off from training.
For professional athletes, this means they will underperform at important events; understanding this problem, Dr. Kase set out to create an alternative to surgical tape. The available tape was designed to keep things in place so as to force the athletes to rest and fight off the swelling with elevation and time. Time off is something athletes dread; sports is how they make their livelihood, and to ask them to take a seat while everyone else is improving can be panic-inducing.
The negative state of mind can even cause issues with performance. With this in mind, using K-Tape alleviates the stress of rest by allowing the athlete to participate in the sport of choice.
The tape Dr. Kase created was a combination of nylon and cotton. The elasticity of the nylon would allow for freedom of movement while still placing tension on the skin or articulation. The cotton would allow for a breathable fabric that could endure perspiration. The tape features a strong adhesive that bonds to the skin helping with muscle support. Currently, there are several brands of K-Tape that feature different drug combinations with the adhesive in an effort to provide pain relief and help fight off inflammation.
The colorful tape was made famous during the Olympics, where athletes competing in several disciplines wore it during their performances. Then claiming the tape not only aided in recovery but helped maintain form. Soon, gyms worldwide were populated by members who wore the tape, hoping that it would help them avoid injury or somehow aid recovery.
If you are planning on using the tape at the gym, your bag should carry the following items to make the application easier: small scissors, baby oil, a razor, and shaving cream. While the shaving portion should be done at home, there might be times when there isn’t enough time. So shaving at the gym bathroom, it is!
Before trimming in public, make sure you understand what pattern you are applying to yourself. K-tape has established shapes to help with healing or protection. You can find several videos online for reference, or doctors could recommend which is best to use. Once you are sure to precut the tape, wash, shave, dry, and then apply. The baby oil you are caring for is to help with tape removal. K-tape has a powerful adhesive that will last on the body for up to five days, especially if proper precautions are met, such as drying the tape and keeping it clean.
Once you decide to remove the tape, try first using soap and plenty of warm water. Try peeling at the edges and pulling in the same way hair grows. If you have difficulty removing the tape, soak it in the baby oil for at least 20 minutes. The application of the baby oil should cause the adhesive to lose grip and allow easier removal.
It’s no secret a lot of these products come in large, clunky packages that are not easy to transport. Yet they are an essential feature for people who work out. So as to not carry around an entire supplement section, find a transparent portion carrier and fill it up the night before. Make it part of your routine.
Note: Make sure you get a see-through one; that way, you do not get confused and take your cherry flavored protein instead of your tropical fruit pre-workout. Number or label them to make them even easier to tell apart.
Menthol brands alleviate mild joint and muscular aches and pains (such as arthritis, backache, and sprains). Some products treat skin irritation and itching (such as sunburn, insect bites, or minor scrapes). Menthol is a well-known anti-irritant.
You should pack two separate water bottles, a shaker for mixing your powders, and a large water bottle to avoid frequent visits to the water fountain if available. Most gyms now sell bottled water. Knowing how to pack the ideal gym bag allows you to exercise confidently, knowing you have everything you need before and after your workout. What a soothing thought!
Here is a quick list of items that should go in your gym bag:
- Uniform (If applicable)
- Change of Clothes
- Gloves or Chalk
- K-Tape or Self Adhesive Wrap
- Sports linament for soreness
- Bottle of Water
- Headphones with your spare charger
- A laminated card with your emergency contact
- Snack
Not everyone is packing their gym bag with powders and tape. If the sport you participate in requires specialized gear, allow room for it. Are you practicing karate, boxing, or some other sport that requires gear? Make room for it; your Gi, gloves, wraps, and balls all need space, so keep that in mind.
So as you stare into your closet, picking out your gym clothes for the next day, pack up the essentials in your bag to ensure you have everything you need.
