There is no doubt that having a good workout plan is the most important feature of your fitness journey. Without a good regimen, there can be no results. However, every experienced athlete recognizes the importance of quality gym gear. The items you have in your gym bag play an important role. Simply put, you can’t train without various gym essentials. And in order to make your life easier, you can now check out the list below where you’ll see what gym essentials you need to pack every time you go for a workout.

Proper gym clothes

Without proper workout clothes, your workout is going to be less than satisfactory, and you could even hurt yourself. It doesn’t matter whether you go to the gym right after work or not, you have to remember to pack breathable, well-fitted gym garments that are made out of lean materials. Functionality has to be a priority, not fashion. Therefore, a rule of the thumb would be to pack shorts, a lean t-shirt, socks, and if you could throw in a compression undershirt, that would be great. Compression garments are becoming more and more popular among gym-goers due to the fact that they enhance performance.

Quality footwear

We strongly advise you to pay extra attention when selecting workout footwear. In order to avoid nasty ankle or knee injuries, you have to buy a pair of quality and reliable training shoes. But choosing the right shoes isn’t as easy as many people think. If you’re an advanced lifter, you may prefer lifting shoes to traditional cross-trainers. If you’re a runner, you should go for running shoes made of lean materials with foamy soles. Another thing worth mentioning is that you should never opt for cheap knock-offs. No knock-off in this world can replace good old reliable Nike shoes. And don’t worry about looks, if you go for Nikes, you can rest assured that they are both functional and stylish.

Shaker bottle

Without proper nutrition, you’ll have a hard time getting that smoking hot body you’re after. Even folks that aren’t so big on fitness use supplements to better their diet. And that’s why a good shaker bottle is one of the many components of healthy living. Considering that you’re probably using supplements, you need to have a good shaker bottle. Your shaker bottle can be used for your all of your refreshment needs. It can hold your pre- and intra-workout supplements, water, or shake up your post-workout protein/carb combo.

Towel

Bringing a towel is a part of common courtesy, as your sweat shouldn’t bother other gym members. No one will blame you for sweating, especially not in the gym. However, please wipe the machine after you’re finished with an exercise. Nobody wants to sit in your sweat. Therefore, bring a towel to wipe down the equipment after you’re done with it. Of course, you’ll also need a towel after your workout when you take a shower.

A portable exercise mat

The vast majority of gyms out there have mats. However, not all of them take good care when it comes to cleaning them on a regular basis. And that’s where your own mat could come in handy. If you are not sure whether the mats in your gym are clean enough, having your own will solve the problem. It means that you are most certainly going to avoid germs and bodily fluids. On top of that, you can use that mat if you want to do some exercises at home.

Lifting gloves

If you’re a fan of lifting weights, you simply need to buy a pair of good weightlifting gloves. These gloves will protect your hands and you’ll never have to worry about those nasty, painful blisters. Make sure that you find a pair that won’t give up on you after a month or two. Going for a pair of Harbinger 155 Power Stretch Back gloves should be more than okay. They are made of lycra, so you won’t feel a thing weight-wise.

A deodorant

When you finish your post-workout shower, spray on some deodorant! There is nothing worse than standing next to somebody who smells bad. And if you are the one who is making everyone around queasy, that’s just horrible. So, bring a deodorant. You can even spray or roll the deodorant on before and after your workout. That way you’ll make life easier for everyone you come into contact with during or after the workout.

We hope that you’ve found this article useful and what’s even more important, we hope that you now know what you need to put in your bag next time you leave for the gym.