5 Gym Essentials You Need: Beginners’ Version
If you recently signed up for a gym membership, you must be excited, right?
You’ve seen so many of your friends getting in shape after hitting the gym or becoming physically and mentally healthier after a good workout session.
Well, you can achieve all these things if you work out properly! But to experience the thrill of gymming, you must purchase the proper equipment.
This includes everything, right from towels to gym clothes. The global gym apparel market is estimated to be about USD 384.8 billion by 2032, and the trends are becoming more and more varied.
So here are a few gym essentials you must carry in your bag the next time you go there!
1. Gym bag
Let’s first start with the bag itself. If you’re planning to carry all your gym essentials in a grocery bag, or worse, without a bag, you’re doing things incorrectly.
Investing some money and buying a gym bag that can hold all your things in different compartments is always better. Otherwise, you can reuse an old duffel bag, and it’ll work fine.
Ensure that the bag has separate pockets for fresh and sweaty clothes and a bottle holder. The straps should also be soft and uncomfortable to relieve your shoulders and arms ergonomically.
2. Water bottle
Never visit the gym without ensuring you have at least one water bottle.
If your gym has a water cooler inside, you can carry the empty bottle and then fill it up at the gym. But ideally, you should carry about 20-24 ounces of water when you leave your house.
After exercising every 15-20 minutes, drink about 10 ounces of water. Make sure that you have enough water left to drink even after your gym session is over.
You may even carry a small bottle of energy drinks like Gatorade to replenish the electrolytes lost when working out.
3. Shower essentials
Most people often hate returning home after getting sweaty in their gym clothes. And this is especially true if you have to hit the gym before going to your college or office.
Therefore, always keep a small bag of toiletries so that you can take a quick shower and change into a fresh set of clothes.
This bag or pouch should contain travel-sized body wash bottles, shampoo, a small deodorant, and hand soap.
You can include any other small items, depending on your specific needs. Keep them sealed in the corner of your gym bag so no liquid leaks.
4. Gym shoes
Choosing a good pair of gym shoes is probably the essential decision you must make.
If you wear worn-out sneakers and run on the treadmill, there is a high chance of falling down or tripping over.
Depending on the kind of exercise that you’ll be doing, you can go for specific shoes. But if you’re planning on doing different sets a week, then a sturdy pair of cross-trainers will do the trick.
Brands like Reebok and Nike have come up with their very own versions of the cross-trainers, and they’re fan-favorite. Carry a spare pair, too, in case the one you’re wearing gets damaged.
5. Gym clothes for the exact workouts
Even though many beginners feel they can work out easily in their lounge clothes, you must avoid this mistake at all costs.
Specially-designed gym clothes are your best bet. But, even if you don’t have them at home, you can always rent or buy them at low prices.
Especially if you are into indoor cycling and other high-intensity workouts, invest in good-quality cycling clothing and apparel.
This will help you avoid getting friction burns and work out longer. The material transfers heat and sweat to the outer layer faster and keeps you cool.
On the other hand, if you’re not a cycler, ensure that your T-shirts and pants fit you well. Don’t wear anything that clings to your body uncomfortably but don’t also go for baggy clothes that can make you lose your balance.
Over to you…
So, dear reader, this list contains all the must-haves you must take care of before officially joining your gym class.
Besides the items mentioned above, you can also carry a pair of earphones, a smartwatch to track your calorie count and steps, and a protein bar or two.
