The gym…do you love it or hate it? I must admit, it took a lot to get me to start going to the gym on a regular basis. I have not always been a fan or working out. But, I found I actually enjoy going. And believe me, I thought I would never say that…like ever! I also believe what you have in your gym bag says a lot about a person.
What’s In Your Gym Bag?
In my opinion, what you take to the gym has a lot to do with the success of your workout. Not only do the proper work out accessories keep you comfortable, they keep you safe. If you wear the wrong clothing, footwear or have the wrong accessories, you are setting yourself up for failure. You can actually increase your risk of injury (falling, twisting ankles, overheating, etc.).
The Right Gym Essentials Equal A Great Workout
Shorts Or Yoga Capris: If you get hot easily and you can’t stand to wear full-length pants during your workout, then a good pair of gym shorts or capris should be your best friend. It’s important to find shorts or capris that are made of the proper fabric for working out. You want to find clothing made from materials that are breathable, flexible, and will be comfortable throughout your exercise session. If I can find them, I like sporting bottoms with mini zip-up pockets so I have a place to put my gym-locker key.
Proper Footwear: Investing in the correct footwear is definitely a must when you start exercising. If you are serious about getting fit, wearing an old pair of sneakers are not going to cut it. You need to have a pair of shoes that are comfortable, fit properly and are appropriate for the occasion. Wearing the perfect pair of shoes will affect your back and posture, which is crucial to an injury free workout. Be sure to find a pair of shoes that offer appropriate arches and support.
A Soft & Comfy Shirt: When I’m working out, I prefer shirts that are nice and roomy, are soft and offer breathability. For me, it’s all about feeling good, confident, and comfortable: it’s how I end up performing my best at the gym. There is nothing worse than wearing a short that fits weird and then you are constantly tugging and pulling at it. That is enough to ruin my entire workout. My newest 2bsession are the insanely super comfortable tees and tanks from Fit(ish).
Hair Accessories: Believe it or not, headbands and hair-ties are an essential gym accessory for me. I’d much rather keep my hair out of my face so that I can focus on my routines rather than worry about constantly moving my bangs away from my eyes. I love what I refer to as “ouchless elastics”: they’re hair elastics without the metal piece – that and a good terry-cloth headband keep my locks under control even during my more intense workouts.
A Lightweight Gym Bag: Now you need something to put all those gym essentials to guarantee a great workout. I prefer a lightweight gym bag with lots of compartments. This way I have what’s on this list as well as a towel and my toiletries in case I want to take a shower. You’ll want to make sure that the straps are comfortable
The Right Shirt Makes All The Difference
When I first discovered Hayley Bobay and her company, Fit(ish), I immediately fell in love with her concept. I mean the shirts say it all: Fit(ish): Semi-fit; Kind of fit; Someone who likes the idea of being fit but equally likes food. That is me!!! I hate to admit how many times I worked out just so I could eat that donut or ice cream, right?
Hayley is a NASM certified personal trainer and she believes that while everyone should have the goal of being as healthy as possible, but also “having the most fit physique of all time is not everyone’s priority… and that’s okay.” Hayley reminds us it’s ok to eat! Most of us are not perfect and are not going to be on our meal plans 100% of the time. The Fit(ish) shirts and tanks bring a sense of humor to my workout, which I need because I can get way too serious when I am at the gym!
The apparel from Fit(ish) starts at $20 USD, so they are totally affordable. And did I mention how freaking comfortable these shirts are? They are kind of like your boyfriend tee that you just don’t want to take off. Trust me when I tell you they really are THAT comfortable. I gave my daughter the Fit(ish) Tahiti Blue Women’s Racerback Tank ($20 USD), and she wears it to the gym. She wears it to the mall, to her school Robotics meetings, to the grocery store and to bed.
I love these shirts because but they’re just the right fit. They are kind of like “The Three Bears”, not too tight and too big. For those who like tops on the looser side (like I do), it’s suggested to go up a size. Many of the shirts use a cotton/poly blend, giving it an extra soft texture which is ideal for gym sessions (or any other occasion for that matter!). I’m in love with my Grey Women’s V-Neck T-Shirt– it’s the perfect fit and length and exactly what I look for in a gym top. For more on Fit(ish), you can follow them on social media: Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.
Be sure to use the code: KellysFreeShipping on all orders, from now through 7/25. One USA reader will win one Fit(ish) of their choice, depending on availability.
What are your essential items for the gym? Let me know in the comments below!
