What's in my Gym Bag? - The Essentials
- Olivia Carone
- Jun 7, 2018
- 3 min read
Over the past two years, I've tried out different equipment at the gym. Some are necessary, and some are very helpful, but can be done without. In this post, I'll be covering the items that I think are necessary:
Comfortable Leggings
Lulu Lemon is my go-to for all leggings. They are super comfortable, squat proof, usually sweat proof, and are very flattering. My favourite are the Aligns, which feel like a second skin - so in the summer, I can wear them without sweating as much as I would with thicker pants. Like Fitbit, they also have amazing customer service. If anything ever goes wrong with your pants, they'll refund you (and for me, it didn't even matter if it was within the warranty period or not!).
Wrist Straps
I find these necessary for deadlifts. After a few sets, my hands get sweaty and the exercise is harder to perform. Wrist straps keep your grip in check for every set. I own Gymshark's wrist wraps, which I like, but I haven't used them enough to see how fast they wear out. However, for the time being, they have worked very well - they're easy to position and I've never had to worry about dropping the bar.
(image: Gymshark)
Foam Barbell Pad
For me, this is essential for barbell hip thrusts. Without it, the barbell puts a lot of pressure on the hips and makes the exercise extremely uncomfortable. My gym has its own foam pad, so that's what I use, but I've heard great reviews about this one from RiseFit. It's very comfortable, light and protective - plus, RiseFit has great customer service.
(image: Amazon)
Knee Sleeves
These support your knee joints and prevent injuries by keeping your knees warm and in position. In addition, the sleeves can help you lift heavier weights. Using knee sleeves, I've been able to add at least 5-10lbs to my barbell squat. I feel much more stable using these. I use SBD sleeves, which I absolutely love. They are pricier than ones you'll find on amazon, but they are much better quality. Previously, I had bought a pair from MavaSports (on amazon), which had great reviews, but they really weren't working for me. They were not comfortable, and did not give much stability. The SBD pair, however, meets all of my expectations.
Wrist Wraps
These are very important to support your wrists during heavier lifts. They aren't necessary in every workout - I usually use them for back and bicep exercises, like rows and bicep curls. Mine are from Rogue, and I love them. I have no pain during any exercise I use them in, they're super comfortable, and very durable.
(image: Rogue Canada)
Water Bottle
This one is obvious, but it's crazy how much more water you drink when you have one with you at the gym. It is also more important to drink water while you exercise, since you must stay hydrated while you sweat. I have many bottles, but my favourite is the Blender Bottle, since it makes protein shakes smooth by getting rid of any lumps while you shake it up.
(image: BlenderBottle)
Durable Shoes
Again, an obvious one, but you need shoes that perform well at the gym. I use Nike's Free Runs, which are made for running but I really love them at the gym. They're super flexible and comfortable. I've had them for 2 years - they're still sturdy, perform well and look great.
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