Gym bag checklist: what to pack for the gym

A packed bag removes the excuses. Here is a short list of what to carry, with the reason for each item.

The essentials

• Water bottle (1 litre). Sip through the session. You lose more water than you think.
• Small towel. For your face and for wiping the bench or seat after use.
• Closed, flat-soled shoes and socks. Flat soles give you a stable base. Sandals are not safe near weights.
• Breathable clothes and a spare T-shirt. The spare is for the trip home.
• Phone with earphones. For music, a rest timer and logging your sets in an app such as Lift Log.
• Banana or light snack. Eat 45 to 60 minutes before you train.
• Your medicines, if one is due. Do not skip a dose because you were at the gym.
• Membership card and a small lock. Most lockers need your own lock.

Nice to have

• A pair of light gloves if your palms get sore.
• A small notebook if you do not use an app.
• A resistance band for warm-ups.

Pack the night before

Put the bag by the door the evening before. If it is ready, you go. If it is not, you will find a reason to stay home.

Ready to go? Read the first week guide next, or pick a plan from Day A and Day B.

Keep reading

• First week at the gymA calm, step-by-step plan for your first week at the gym: what to do on day one, how many ...
• Is a gym membership worth it?How to decide between a gym membership and day passes: the break-even visit count and how ...