Gym bag hacks: How to pack it like a pro!
Do you find yourself throwing your dirty clothes into your gym bag, with your trainers, your damp towel and your toiletries, closing that zip and getting home a few hours later to a not terribly fragrant bag? Or do you get to the gym and find that you have to remove everything from your bag to find your hair ties or your socks because somehow everything else in your bag is doing its utmost job to hide the very thing you are looking for? Here are a few simple but super effective tips to avoid all of that!
Keeping it fresh:
• Throw a dryer sheet in the bottom of your gym bag to avoid any embarrassing smells. (Change it when it starts losing its fragrance – usually once a week) For a natural alternative you can use a small bag or even an old sock filled with baking soda and a few drops of an essential oil of your choice. • Pack some dry tea bags to put in your trainers after use. They will soak up the sweaty smells and leave you with much nicer smelling shoes (and hopefully a nicer smelling bag). • Pack another little bag to use for dirty laundry. I also like to pack a shoe bag. This Converse bag works perfectly for dirty laundry or shoes.
Containing the clutter:
• Invest in a gym bag with clever compartments! Under Armour’s ‘ The Works’ Gym Bag is probably the best gym bag on the market. It has a number of nifty little compartments, a toiletries pocket, a mobile phone pocket, a removable laundry bag and even a hair tie ring! Genius! Alternatively Under Armour make the Storm Recruit Backpack for men which also has a number of clever compartments. • Divide your toiletries into smaller cosmetic bags – allowing you to easily grab one for the shower and then having make up/hair products in the other one.
Final details:
• A carabiner makes for a brilliant hair tie holder and can be attached to the handle of any bag, ensuring that you never have to rummage around in your bag looking for that infernal hair tie ever again! • Attach your padlock to another strap on your bag and never lose that again! • Mizu insulated bottles make a great addition to your gym bag. They come in a wide range of colours and sizes and what’s more, Mizu supports a variety of environmental and humanitarian charities. • Don’t forget your flip flops! A simple pair of flip flops will keep your feet safe from bacteria when showering at the gym. I am loving these new Havaianas!
Finally don’t forget to pack a snack or a protein bar to keep you going after your workout!!
What do you pack when you go to the gym? Have we forgotten any essentials? Or do you have any genius hacks to share with us? Make sure to let us know via the comments below!
