Regular physical activity is an important part of a balanced and healthy lifestyle. Regular exercise can improve cardiovascular health, strengthen the body and aid in improving mental health. Pairing exercise with healthy food can go a long way in helping you reach your health and wellness goals. Create a more successful exercise routine by making sure your gym bag is stocked with the right equipment. As a dietitian and a fitness enthusiast, I always try to make sure my gym bag has everything I need for a successful workout and recovery. Let’s take a look!
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Water bottle: Proper hydration is important when you are working out. Sweat lost can result in dehydration if it is not properly replaced. If you are staying properly hydrated you will be able to put more into your workout and therefore get more out of it.
- I like using a double-insulated bottle so that my water is kept cool and refreshing.
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Resistance bands: Resistance bands come in many shapes and sizes. Various resistance bands can be used to warm up muscles before a workout, create a resistance-based workout, or even aid in recovery work.
- I like to keep a light resistance band in my bag to warm up my shoulder muscles before swim practice. I also keep a hip band in my bag to complete regular hip strengthening and stability exercises.
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Foam roller: Regular exercise can sometimes create tight and sore muscles. Using a foam roller for myofascial release can be a great way to relieve some of this muscle tightness and soreness. It can even help reduce inflammation and improve joint mobility.
- A foam roller is a great recovery tool to help keep you moving on to the next workout.
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Yoga mat: It is always nice to go into a yoga class with your own personal mat. However, a good yoga mat is also good for at-home stretching, abdominal work, foam rolling or even to go under your indoor trainer to protect your floors.
- I don’t always feel comfortable using the public mats at the gym, so I like to have my own for classes, warmups and stretching routines.
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Cleansing wipes: We all sweat, and both our equipment and ourselves can sometimes use a good cleaning. Having cleansing wipes in your bag can be handy for wiping off your mat at the end of class or cleaning off public equipment before using it yourself.
- I even like having cleansing wipes on-hand to do a quick face wash post-workout.
No matter your exercise of choice, having a well-stocked gym bag can make that exercise session more successful. I like to make sure I have equipment in my bag that aids both in my workout session and in my recovery afterwards. For more ideas on what to keep in your gym bag, click on the fitness drop-down at the top of the page. You can scroll through the fitness accessories available, order them through WholeLotta Good, and have them sent right to your door.
*The blog articles, recipes and recommendations found on this site are not intended as medical advice and should not replace consulting with your medical provider. Please consult a medical professional for individual advice.
