What is in my Gym Bag?

My husband calls me the bag lady because apparently have a bag for everything.  Every morning I pack my gym bag and then double and triple check it before heading out the door to the gym or wherever I might be going for my workout.  To be honest, my gym bag is not just a gym bag: it is a diaper bag, a snack box, a mini filing cabinet, and sometimes even serves as a brief case.

I use my gym bag more than I use any other bag.  When I leave the house in the morning, I don’t also carry a purse- just my gym bag.  Since I have had kids, I have tested every other way and this works best for me.  I have carried a gym bag and a diaper bag;  I have carried several different gym bags;  I have used a backpack; and I am finally at a content place with my bag situation every morning.  (Yes, apparently you can be restless when it comes to your gym bag selection and organization system.)

What’s In My Gym Bag

If you ever wonder what the best gym bag is or what the heck those ladies that carry huge bags to the gym put in them, read on and you will find out.

Vera Bradley Weekender Bag

I think I have tried about 8 different gym bags.  I have also spent countless hours researching the best gym bag and asking people about theirs and I finally found one I love.  I have tried a backpack, a nike bag, an athleta bag, 2 thirty-one bags and several other random bags and finally I took my mother’s recommendation and tried out a Vera Bradley bag.  I needed something big enough to fit all of my stuff each day and my laptop for days I want to do some blog work at the gym before picking up my kids.  This Vera Bradley bag fits everything, is my favorite color (hello, navy!) and has several compartments.  It is also washable!

Water Bottle

I can’t leave the house without my water bottle.  I use the 26 ounce shaker bottle even though I rarely shake something after my workouts.  I like that the top is wide enough that I can fill it with ice without spilling and stick a lemon in there.  If I am not shaking, I don’t bother to put the metal ball in there.

Wet Bag

This is a recent find and I love it!  I used to just put my wet gym clothes in a plastic grocery bag, but I recently found this at TJ Maxx in the baby section and it is perfect.  I put my wet sports bra and top in there as well as C’s swimsuit if she has swim lessons.  This way nothing else in my bag gets wet and it keeps the oder contained too!

 

Workouts

Someday I will figure out a better way of organizing all my workouts for my classes, but until then I have this lovely zip lock bag full of workouts.  I put my workouts on notecards, punch a hole in them and then stick them on a metal ring by class format.  It seems nicely organized, but it isn’t.

Hair Ties & Headbands

I keep a plethora of hair ties in my bag in case one breaks, I forget one, or someones else needs it.  I also keep a few headbands in my gym bag because I usually don’t put them on until I get to the gym.

Snacks

Most days in my gym bag you can find two sticks of cheese and 2 apple sauce pouches for the kids; and  2 eggs and either oatmeal, fig newtons, pancakes or rice cakes for myself.  After I am done with my workout we all have our mid morning snack.

Diapers & Wipes

Instead of carrying a separate diaper bag, I just throw diapers in my gym bag, put M’s name on it when I drop him off and that is that.  This way I don’t have to carry an extra bag.  I also have wipes in there in case we go somewhere after the gym.

Workout Gloves, Headphones & iPhone Case

My Nike Fundamental lifting gloves are always in my bag as well as headphones and an iPhone case.  I don’t always listen to music or a podcast when I am working out, but if I am there alone I can do.

Cds

Yes, I am still old school and I burn all my music onto a cd instead of using my phone or iPad.  I am not sure when I will go away from this- I am too afraid.  Until then, I will always carry my black cd case and all my cds.

Others

Depending on the day you might also find my planner, a notebook and my computer in there.  When I do carry my computer, I put it in my Vera Bradley laptop sleeve.  Some days I do a little work or have a little me time with my devotion before or after I workout.

I also throw my wristlet in there.  For me, I have found that carrying a wristlet that has all my important stuff in it and then putting it in whatever bag I am going to carry at that moment is the best way for me to stay organized and not feel like I am constantly switching purses or bags.

At any time, I mainly carry one of three things: my gym bag with all of the above, just my wristlet if I don’t have the kids with me, or this leather Madewell bag if we are going out with the kids.

My gym bag is clearly more than a gym bag as it serves as my carry-all for the majority of the day.  From diapers, to snacks to a ziplock bag of workouts and probably some wet clothes it keeps me prepared for the morning.

Your turn- tell me!
What interesting things can I find in your gym bag?
What gym bag do you use?