what's in my gym bag

the mini duffle from stoney clover is the PERFECT size gym bag for me. it holds everything here + more without ever feeling heavy or too bulky.
I struggle to find shirts for the gym that I actually like. I don’t like the feeling of tops that cling to my body, so oversized or relaxed fit is a must. this tee from aerie is super soft, moves with me, and long enough where I don’t have to worry about it riding up during my workouts. it’s an oversized fit, so i’d say size down if you prefer a tighter fit. shown here in the “olive fun” color.
the criss-cross leggings from aerie are everything. I love the bike short version too, but the leggings are perfect as the temperature cools off outside. the band doesn’t roll down, and is flattering on all bodies! I have them in black, but also got the olive fun color to match the shirt. they aren’t a perfect match, despite them being the same name from the same company, but it’s not different enough that they clash IRL.
i tend to struggle with sports bras - I need support, but don’t want to feel compressed. out of all the sports bras i’ve tried over the years, this one from lululemon has been the best for ~the girls~ so far. right amount of support without feeling squished, and actually comfortable. my only complaint (aside from the cost, but it’s worth it, IMO), is that they come with those dreaded removable cups. so annoying. I’m a 36D and got a size 10.
since we’re approaching colder temps, I wanted more long sleeves and sweatshirts that are workout-friendly so that I won’t have to change or add an extra layer between the gym and my car - especially if I have errands to run after. this hoodie is lightweight enough where i’m not overheating during a workout, but warm enough to wear in fall without needing to bulk up with another jacket. same story for the leggings I paired them with!
by far, ultraboosts are my favorite gym sneakers! they’re beyond comfortable to wear for any workout, and don’t need to be broken in. I recently got them in the halo ivory/ivory/halo green colorway shown in the picture, and love how neutral it is for any outfit - in or our of the gym.
similar to the tee i mentioned earlier, this black tee is loose enough for comfort, and does well with wicking sweat. I notice it does tend to ride up when I fold in yoga, but it falls back naturally pretty quickly. also love this long sleeve tee from lululemon, same review!
a pricier piece than the leggings i’ve already listed, but i love these black lululemon leggings. they’re super soft, don’t roll, and i’ve had some for YEARS that look brand new. the align high-rise crop is my favorite!
i love a cute airpod case, and this one is absolutely on brand for me! bonus is that it comes with a strap so you can wear your airpods around your neck. I love this especially when Don and I workout together, when we’re lifting/spotting, we’re communicating, so just having one airpod in is so much easier.
i typically wait to shower until i get home (instead of at the gym), but i like to at least freshen up my hair after a sweaty workout. this root spray is great for just that. I used it initially when I had braids over the summer, but it still works fine on my post-workout straightened hair.
a stretch strap is beneficial both for yoga and pre/post-workout stretching. it helps me get deeper into poses and stretches, and is something I used when I was in physical therapy - so it really helps me make sure i’m taking care of my body after a workout post-injury.
this water bottle breaks the internet every time it comes back in stock, and with good reason. it’s huge, but fits in your cupholder, stays cold for days, and has a handle. I use it around the house anyway, but it’s the perfect size for the gym. I used to bring a half gallon bottle with me, which is great in theory, but it didn’t stay cold long, and didn’t fit in my car’s cupholders, much less the ones on the cardio machines at the gym. much easier this way.
i’ve had this yoga mat from lululemon since college, and it still feels brand new. it’s thick enough to provide support against the hard floor, but firm enough that it doesn’t give too much when I need to really focus on supporting myself. I used to carry it in a bag, but it got too cumbersome to try to squeeze in after class, so this strap is infinitely easier.
i wear scrunchies in my hair all the time anyway, so having an extra scrunchie on my wrist is no big deal. since I typically have somewhere to go before or after the gym, I like to wear jewelry when i’m there - so while I have “gym-proof” everyday jewelry, my engagement ring and nesting band don’t' really fall into that category. last thing I want to do is scratch a band on a weight or snag it on something! instead of leaving them in my gym bag, I just store them in these zippered scrunchies, that way they’re still on my person at all times, and aren’t susceptible to the dangers of the gym.

lifestyleMaya McNealOctober 7, 2021workout, gymComment