WHAT’S IN OUR GYM BAG

There are videos floating all over Instagram, Facebook, Tik Tok, and YouTube titled What’s in our hospital bag, What’s in my handbag, What’s in our carry-on luggage, and so on.

And, in order to stay relevant to the world, this week we are talking all about What's in our gym bags!

We’re not the first people to do this and we won’t be the last. We’re also not the type of people who have an elaborate gym bag, because let's just be honest, there aren’t a whole lot of things you need when you only plan on being there for less than an hour.

If you’re anything like us and you fancy a quick and sweaty workout vs. a long drawn-out torture session, you might also have fewer things in your gym bag than other people. 

At the end of the blog, I’ll also pay homage to the things that used to be in our gym bags at one point - everything deserves its place in this world. I’ll also put out a little note of things that we wish were in our gym bags but that we just haven’t gotten around to.


**I want to make note that instead of only talking about myself in this post, I’m going to talk about both Lucy and I (our gym bags) for the simple reason that - we’re different, and from talking to a bunch of you its been made very clear that everyone likes things a little bit different than the next person. So, you’re getting two perspectives, which is why I’m using ours instead of my.

OUR BAG

If you’ve been following along with our story for any length of time you’re probably well aware that we are massive fans of a good bag. Ever since getting our very first Walker Family Goods duffel bag a few years back, we’ve been obsessed. A quality bag (even if you’re just heading to the gym) can quite literally change everything, in our opinion. So, while Lucy used to have one of those cute Under Armour drawstring bags that could fit hardly anything (but that made her look super sporty) and I used to just rock up to the gym with my handbag overflowing with god-knows-what, we’ve upgraded.

We both now use our Walker Family Goods States Duffel as our gym bag. They’re beautiful and durable, and they can go straight in the wash when they’ve started to smell a bit too much (or if the pre/post-workout you’ve packed explodes while you toss it in your locker). When we’re not using these as our gym bags, they’re also our day bags, the bags we take on an overnight trip and the bag we pack if we’re headed for a picnic. We’re not the type of people who buy something and only use it for one specific thing. We like to buy quality items that make sense, and these bags are exactly that. 

Shameless plug here, but if you’re looking for a bag of any sort, please check out Walker Family Goods. We have one of pretty much every style and we can attest that they are a 12/10. 

SHOP WALKER FAMILY GOODS

HEADPHONES

This is funny because as I was typing out the sentence above saying that we like to buy quality items that make sense, I thought of this next item in our gym bag and had a quick chuckle.

Ideally, buy yourself some headphones that make sense. 

Lucy and I are still using the free headphones that came with our iPhone years ago. We probably spend more time untangling the wire and finding a good place to keep our phones on us than we do actually working out. They’re not ideal, but they work.

One day, when we actually buy the quality item, I’m sure we’ll go more along the path of wireless so we simply do not have to deal with the tangles and the knots and the absolute bother of the wires flapping in our faces. However, we’re not there yet because somehow these bad boys are still working - and in this family, we don’t give up on things. 

Literally waiting for them to break or be lost before we spend a penny on the ones we actually want. 

You though? If you have headphones that you love…please tell me what you’ve gotten because this is a whole world we have yet to discover. 

All that really matters, however, is that we have access to the music (or crime podcast) on our phones while we’re working out. A few times recently we’ve been to the gym together and we’ve decided to talk to each other (strange, we know) instead of jam out to our tunes, and it's been OK. Not terrible, just not quite as good as it is when you’ve got your favorite playlist pumping you up for a few more reps (and a bit more weight added on).

SOMETHING TO LISTEN TO

In order to keep this as real as possible, I’ve just verbally asked my wife what she loves to listen to when she's at the gym, and here’s what she said: “I like pop, dance, and a little bit of rap sometimes. Oh, also I love anything 90’s that makes me feel like I’m a total badass”.

She also said “pretty much everything that's ever been on the Dunnebells playlist” so I guess we can end this here. 

Want to know what Lucy's listening to? CLICK HERE to access her playlist on Apple Music/ CLICK HERE to access her playlist on Spotify and see what you think.

For me, because this is an us thing, I like to (unlike my wife) not feel like I’m at a rave or be made to feel like I need to be moving at super speed. Seriously, sometimes when I listen to what she's listening to I feel like I need to step it up about thirty notches. I’m more of a slow and steady wins the race type of person, and sometimes I love a good instrumental playlist blaring in my ears so that I don't get distracted by words.

I prefer to zone out on the task at hand as I get distracted quite easily. If I’m listening to music, watching everything happening at the gym, trying to lift heavy things at the gym, and making sure my form is right - it's all too much. However, with that said sometimes if I’m on the rower or riding the bike, I like to listen to podcasts as I feel like it makes time move by a little bit faster which is important because working out isn’t really my thing.

I will also admit that I am a huge sucker for listening to what I used to listen to between the ages of 10 and 25 because, like Lucy, it makes me feel like an absolute badass - which is needed in gym environments in my opinion.

WATERBOTTLE

Team NALGENE for me.

Part of my goal when I go to the gym is to drink a whole bottle of water. During my everyday life I am terrible at getting my water in, so any time I go to the gym my mission is to survive, first off, and drink a bottle of water. Whatever else happens is out of my control and not something I worry too much about!

All that is ever in the bottle is water. However, about four years ago I used to have my pre-workout portioned out in my bottle and I’d mix it with water while in the gym bathroom and then rinse it once I was finished - topping back up with water for the duration of my workout. If you’re someone who loves pre-workout, this is a great way to keep the number of dirty dishes down because carrying multiple bottles around does get sort of annoying. Alternatively, if you’re more of a post-workout type person, you can always portion it out in a small reusable container and mix it in your bottle after your workout. 

Lucy also brings a water bottle - but she's currently on team HYDROFLASK.

Water is extremely important to consume when working out because it keeps your muscles hydrated and allows your body to recover better than it would if you were to not drink water! It doesn’t matter what bottle you use, we just highly recommend not using a plastic bottle because honestly, the environment deserves more from you.

Find a bottle you like to drink out of and you’re set to go.

A TOWEL

Funny story - the gym we’re currently at here in Melbourne has this sign-up in multiple places that states anyone using the facilities must have a towel. 

Weeks and weeks and weeks (okay, many months) into being members, I told noticed it and asked lucy why on earth we all needed towels. What was the point?

Turns out, it's for sweating and the more I looked around at people, the more I realized that everyone (except me) was working out with a towel. 

Now, I don’t sweat. I’m not a sweaty person. I don’t see the point in carrying a towel with me because I will not use it. However, I’m a rule follower at my core and now you’ll find in my gym back a nice-looking towel that I then carry around with me like it's my little sidekick. I don't need it, but the sign says I have to have it - so I have it. 

Lucy on the other hand sweats more than you can imagine so for her, this sign has made sense the whole time. Imagine that.

HAIR TIE

Whether you call it a hair tie, a pony, a ponytail, an elastic, or a thing-a-ma-bob - if you have longish hair - these things are a NECESSITY in our opinion. And, take it from us - have a handful of them in your bag because the moment you go to wrap it around your hair and it snaps and flies across the room, you’ll thank us. 

There is nothing worse than working out with a head of hair all over your face. It’s hot, uncomfortable, and if you’re a sweaty person - quite sticky.

SHOES

Currently, I wear my Vans to the gym and Lucy’s wearing the shoes she runs a billion KM’s in (she's training for a marathon) but that's just because it's what we have and we haven’t really set ourselves up in the shoe department since moving across the world.

My favorite pair of shoes ever were my Nike Metcons and they were *chefs kiss* to lift heavy in. I had a pair of Under Armour runners that I enjoyed running in, but I’m more of a weights person than a cardio person so I tend to stick to that side of the gym when I go. I know that Lucy also was a huge fan of her Nike Metcons as well - she did a ton of research for what shoes she wanted to have for CrossFit and settled on those, which are great in the gym as well and are super comfortable.

As long as your feet are happy, you’re set up. Obviously, there are different shoes available for different activities, and the better shoes you get the happier your feet will be - but it doesn’t mean you need to break the bank right now. If we have crap headphones, you too can have crap shoes (like me) and still benefit massively from showing up and lifting heavy things. 

SOCKS

Don’t act too surprised when I tell you this, but I truly believe that a good pair of socks makes all the difference. If you’re wearing Vans like me - at least (please) get yourself some good quality socks! 

Obviously, every single one of us has different feet and different likes, but we should all agree that finding the perfect sock for your feet is like finding the perfect chocolate - priceless.

Stance socks FOUND HERE are some of our all-time favorites for a sock that feels like paradise.

I suggest having a spare pair of socks in your bag as well because sometimes, for no apparent reason, you put your sock on and it just doesn’t feel right. How on earth can you work out like that? You can’t! Throw on the other pair and get out there and do your dang best, okay? And while you’re doing it, pay close attention to how great your socks feel. 

You’re welcome.

PROTEIN

Over the years of having a gym bag and actually taking it to the gym, the source of protein that's been in our side pocket has changed a few times.

It’s been protein powder. It’s been protein bars. It’s also been chicken breast and beef patties (#noshame).

Whatever your thing is, remember that it’s most beneficial for you to consume quality protein after your workout as it will help your muscles grow big and strong (but not too big, don’t worry - you won’t look like Arnold Schwarzenegger after one protein shake), aid in your recovery, and send vital signals to your brain that your body is satisfied - meaning you won't be as hungry later reaching for empty carbs and sugars.Having something that's easy to grab and delicious enough that you want to keep consuming it is KEY.

If you’re in Canada and want a steal of a deal, check out XACT Nutrition. Their protein bars are by far our favorites and they pack a real punch while tasting like a TimTam. And, if you use code LUCYVIP25 you can get 25% off your order CLICK HERE TO VIEW XACT NUTRITION PRODUCTS

If you’re in any other country, we’re sorry - that deal doesn’t apply to you. Sadly, it doesn’t apply to us now that we’ve moved to Australia so don’t worry - we’re still working on getting things set up for those of you who are also down under.

Since arriving in Australia we’ve been searching for protein-packed products to add to our lives and so far we’ve been loving the products from Keep It Cleaner CLICK HERE TO VIEW KIC PROTEIN PRODUCTS. They are delicious, and our cupboards are packed with them - however, we don’t have a discount code to share, unfortunately.

WORKOUTS

Sometimes we like to wing our workouts, but more often than not we’re the type of people who have to have a plan of sorts or else it’s a game of roulette if anything actually gets done.

We’re either working off a document with our workout on it, or we’re tapping into the Dunnebells App to see what our coach has lined up for us that week.

Who is our coach, you ask? Well, my wife is my coach. She sends me workouts on a weekly basis and I simply log in, see what’s on the docket for the week, and accomplish it at my own pace. Lucy does get her coaching from all sorts of people, but she’s also the first to admit that she takes what she learns and inputs it into her own app - coaching herself to be a better version of herself at all times.

If you are keen to see what the Dunnebells App is all about and try it FREE for seven days - you’re in luck! You can do just that by CLICKING HERE.

Having our workouts on our phones is key, and simple - we have our phones anyways. In the past, we have had our workouts printed out on paper, and if that’s your thing - go ahead, but for us, it just is a lot more seamless to have everything in one spot. 

OTHER THINGS

Aside from the items mentioned above, there are a few things in our gym bag.

Receipts, lip gloss, crumbs, smelly socks, chewing gum, and whatever else that disappears into the pockets we don’t always open. There are things that, unless you’re showing up in your workout gear, you might want to bring - something for the bottom, something for the girls, and something for the top. I tend to go to the gym in my workout gear, however, if I am changing when I get there then I always have some leggings, a sports bra, and a t-shirt. 

In the past, we’ve had all sorts of pre-workouts, post-workouts, energy cubes, and all sorts of supplements. In the time of our life that we’re currently in, we’re not using any of those products, but they’ve for sure had a place in our gym bag at one point. In the future, I’d really love to have some better quality headphones and maybe a different towel - even though I don’t actually use it. 

Not in my bag, but always on my wrist is my SUUNTO Fitness Watch which is something I don’t tend to go to the gym without. There is something REAL satisfying about my watch also knowing about the hard work I’m putting in. I did spend a lot of time researching which watch to buy - I wanted quality, but I didn’t want to pay an arm and a leg. I also wasn’t overly concerned about getting notifications from my phone or it essentially being another small phone attached to my wrist and I fell in love with the SUUNTO 3.

After having it for a year I can happily say that I love it and would definitely buy it again! CLICK HERE TO SHOP SUUNTO

What’s in your gym bag?

Do you have any questions?

Would love to hear from you if you’ve got any recommendations on headphones as we are obviously in the market!