What’s in My Gym Bag

Ah the gym, while it was open it was a haven. While yes sometimes the stares of future gym goers during what was meant to be a private session was annoying and 30 minutes was never long enough for the length of my current training program, it was a place to go to unwind. The gym’s closure has made my gym bag kind of obsolete as I no longer set my stuff down when running but I thought I’d share the equipment that makes my training awesome anyways.

I love my pants, love them – while I am happy to throw on a ratty t-shirt or an old racerback, I am picky about my bottoms. I have 2 favourite pairs at the moment, a super-old pair of Vimmia pants in a style they unfortunately no longer make (seriously these things are tight in all the best ways) and a pair of Reebok multi-coloured running tights I scored at Winners of all places. While both pairs are great I have to recommend the more expensive pair of pants. Vimma pants typically run a little bit over 100$ a pair, but it’s so worth that price tag. The pair I have has lasted roughly 8 years, which is insane compared to cheaper models I’ve bought.

Durability is key in sportswear, and nothing needs to be more durable than your sneakers.  My sneakers were an investment piece and they should be one for you too. They need to fit properly and I mean really fit – colour and cost should not be the defining factors of your purchase. If they are, you’ve just wasted money on blisters which is the last thing you want if you train every day. I love my Brooks Adrenalines, they’re the perfect fit and it’s a bonus that they come in my favourite colour. Note that your shoes will last roughly 500 kilometres and after that you should be replacing them. For an avid runner this may be as often as every 4 months.

I’ve said it once before and I’ll say it again now, hydration is essential. It’s especially so if you’re working out. While at the gym (and when doing outdoor bootcamps) I prefer my S’well bottle which was a gift from my boyfriends grandparents a few years back that I absolutely adore. On runs, I opt to go bottle-less at the moment as I wasn’t prepared to not be able to travel to get my bottle belt for warm weather runs. 

Lastly, hair elastics and a yoga mat. I’m not going to pretend I buy fancy hair ties for the gym, I don’t. They’re brown, they’re elastic and they keep my hair off my face even if only marginally (it likes to escape any confines I might put it in). The yoga mat is actually a temporary gift from my trainer, though I have my own, so no one is sharing mats at this time. Both versions of my mat are 3mm so if you like a more padded yoga mat, opt for a 5mm yoga mat instead. Lole, Lululemon and Gaiam have some gorgeous designs available to make your practice, whether it be push ups or shavasanas, more comfortable… That sounds like an ad, it’s really not. I just want you guys to feel good during yoga or whatever sport you’re doing. 

I hope this helps you find some great equipment!