Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a newbie, one question remains – what should you take with you to the gym? Some staples are obvious, but there are so many products that you could be missing a trick without even knowing it. With that in mind, we teamed up with sportsshoes.com to see what some of the UK’s most prominent PTs pack – and the answers may surprise you!
-
Amy Stainthorpe @muthafitness
The bag: I prefer to take an oversized handbag rather than a normal gym bag with me so that if I’m going out anywhere before or after my session, it goes with whatever I’m wearing.
Flip flops: These are specially designed to wear after a workout as they aid with recovery.
Animal print: I’ve packed my zebra print leggings and tank for my workout, as well as a zebra print zipped top to put on afterwards and my bright pink trainers.
Smartphone: I use the Apple activity app to track all of my exercise so my iPhone and Apple Watch are always with me.
Gloves: I manage weights much better with these.
Post-workout essentials: I have a towel, face wipes, body butter and mascara to make me look presentable when I leave the gym! These can be tucked into your trainers to save space in your bag, too.
Hydration and nutrition: Not fully hydrating yourself or refuelling after your workout can make you feel lethargic and light headed, so take time to pack snacks and water – I always have a banana. -
Rachel Amo-Agyei @elbarbelle
Two pairs of leggings and two tops: I like to be prepared!
Spare jacket: This is made of breathable material, which enables you to continue working out comfortably.
Trainers: It’s worth investing in a pair of trainers that are not only suited to your type of training, but also to your feet.
Gloves: I love training with free-weights, so I wear these to avoid callouses on my hands and to ensure maximum grip when handling the weights.
Toiletries bag: Hygiene is very important at the gym, so I always keep this stocked up.
Headphones: This goes without saying – a good music playlist can do wonders for your workout.
A sturdy gym bag: Pick something that’s strong enough, preferably with separate compartments. -
Louisa Thomas @louthomasismyname
Glass water bottle: Water is one of the most essential things in a kit bag. The rubber grip around the middle is useful – sweaty hands plus glass bottles are not a winning combo.
Olympic lifting shoes: These can make your lifts much smoother.
Deodorant: No one likes a sweaty personal trainer or a post-workout stench and mini travel essentials are an absolute winner.
Liquid chalk: This will dry your hands of any sweat, so you’ll be able to grip weights well.
Tangle Teezer: This hairbrush is great as I can get any tangles out in minutes and be onto the next session.
Nuts: I’ve always got them with me to beat any hunger cravings.
Post-workout shake: Protein will help you build, repair and maintain lean muscle.
Lacrosse ball: I always carry a lacrosse ball to roll out my muscles – it’s a concentrated massage that’s brilliant for tight muscles and mobility issues.
Headphones: My pet hate is accidentally pulling my headphones out, so wireless ones are the way forward.
Hand cream: This can help combat callouses caused by weight lifting.
A plastic bag: It may seem obvious, but keeping your sweaty gym gear, towel and wet bottles in your bag can leave it damp, breeding nasty bacteria. A simple plastic bag stops that happening.
For more workout inspiration and advice, visit sportsshoes.com
