Before you go to the fitness or the gym for the first time, be sure to check what to pack in your bag. A comfortable outfit, water and a towel are the absolute minimum. It is worth adding a few accessories to this set that will increase the comfort of training, e.g. hair accessories, cosmetics, mp3 player. Check out the list of 8 essentials that should be in your fitness bag.

What to take to fitness ? It depends on the type of activity you are attending and your approach to training. For minimalists, an airy T-shirt, pants, shoes and something to drink are enough. However, such a set will not guarantee that you will feel comfortable during and after the classes. Therefore, the basis of your equipment should be a good-quality sports bag, which, in addition to the outfit, will also contain cosmetics, food and smaller accessories. It is important that it has at least 3 separate pockets and that it is made of durable, but airy materials that do not trap bad smells.

Already have a suitable bag? See what to pack for it to exercise comfortably and hygienically.

1. Appropriate attire

Beginners do not need to buy expensive, branded tracksuits and technical clothing - it is enough for the outfit to be light, airy and not restrict movement. Of course, you can invest in more professional clothing, but only if you are sure that you will not get bored of the classes and that you will participate in them regularly for several months. Otherwise, buying expensive, high-tech clothing is pointless.

The complete fitness outfit should include:

  • comfortable underwear - especially women with large breasts should invest in a sports bra that keeps the breasts in place, fits the body perfectly and does not cause pressure points;
  • T-shirt or elastic top - at the beginning it can be made of cotton;
  • fitness pants - the length and cut (close-fitting or loose) depend on individual preferences, but it is worth remembering that pants with a flared bottom are not suitable for fast, dynamic workouts - it is easy to get tangled in the leg and fall over;
  • shoes - they must be good quality sneakers, not shoes that you wear every day. You should definitely not save on sports shoes, because exercise in ordinary sneakersis sneakers dangerous.

2. Mineral water

The bag should also contain a large bottle of mineral water. Avoid spring water, which contains very little trace elements. Drinking it during training will quench your thirst, but it will not replenish the missing ingredients such as magnesium and sodium - they are the ones that most escape from the body during heavy exercise (they are eliminated with sweat).

An alternative to water can be isotonic drinks for athletes, but remember that they often contain a large amount of sugar, preservatives, artificial flavors and dyes.

3. Towel and slippers

When going to training, it is worth having at least one small towel to wipe sweat while exercising. If you plan to shower after class, take a second, larger towel and flip flops for hygiene. Washing barefoot under the shower that many people use every day increases the risk of developing athlete's foot.

4. Exercise accessories

If you are going to train with weights, you will definitely need special non-slip gloves. They provide a firmer grip and prevent chafing. It is also worth taking wristbands with you, thanks to which you will wipe the sweat from your forehead with one move.

People who are slimming should remember to take a heart rate monitor with them. It enables constant control of the heart rate, which in the case of people who want to lose weight should be approx. 60-70% of the maximum heart rate. In addition, the device has other useful functions, e.g. measuring calories burned.

5. Energetic snack

Immediately after training, the body shows an increased demand for nutrients (this is the so-called anabolic window). You need to replenish them as soon as possible to help your muscles recover and prevent fatigue. Therefore, when going to fitness, pack an energy snack rich in simple and complex carbohydrates in your bag. However, these should not be ready-made sweets from the store - although they contain the necessary carbohydrates, they are rich in harmful trans fats and practically do not provide the body with any vitamins. It is better to prepare homemade muesli bars with lots of nuts, seeds and dried fruit the day before. They add energy, contain vitamins, minerals, he althy fats and fiber.

6. Cosmetics

If you don't like to wait until you come home with your bath, and you wash yourself immediately after finishing your workout, remember to take a shower gel and possibly a sponge with you. After washing, the skin is usually a little dry and pinched, so a moisturizing lotion will also be useful.

If you don't have time to shower fromimmediately after training, get wet wipes - you will quickly wipe the sweat with them and refresh yourself. For this, be sure to take a deodorant and possibly a compact powder or matting papers to mattify the glowing complexion.

7. Hair accessories

Every woman who has forgotten even a few pins for training at least once knows how irritating it is to exercise with a tousled hairstyle. Therefore, it is better to pack in your bag all small hair accessories such as elastic bands, clips, headbands and keep them in one pocket all the time so that they do not get lost. In addition, you will need a comb or brush to comb your hair before going out and possibly a dryer to dry your hair after bathing.

8. Music player

The last accessory that you should have with you during training is an mp3 player. Training with music increases the motivation to exercise and makes the effort seem easier. No wonder that many people cannot imagine training without their favorite songs. Recently, players designed specifically for athletes have become more and more popular. You can clip them to any item of clothing with a clip, and they are also lighter and waterproof. Some do not have headphone cables, which eliminates the problem of cable tangling.

This will be useful to you

In order not to be too heavy after packing all your belongings, take mini accessories with you. At drugstores you can buy shower gels, lotions and deodorants in small bottles. Alternatively, you can pour them into separate containers yourself. Brushes and dryers are also available in smaller, travel versions.

Category:

ABC of exercises