FIVE MUST-HAVES FOR YOUR GYM BAG
Let's face it. The aftermath of taking an indoor cycling class leaves you covered in a whole lot of sweat and feeling a little less than glamorous. Before you get on that bike there are 5 essential items you should always keep handy in your gym bag. I love these items and would not teach of take a class without them!
Face Wipes
I love Neutrogena Pink Grapefruil Cleansing Wipes. They are by far my favorite product to have handy after class. What I love about these facial wipes is that they are compact, you don’t need water, and they smell amazing. I know a lot of us are sometimes rushed at the gym and washing our face right after a workout or cycling class usually gets forgotten. These wipes are awesome because they are so easy to use and have a small amount of salicylic acid to keep any blemishes at bay. If there is one piece of advice I could give everyone it would be to get a pack of these wipes for your gym bag stat.
Electrolytes
Cycling classes are super high intensity and cause riders to lose tons of water and essential electrolytes that need to be replenished before, during, and after class. There are so many products on the market and I have always avoided these types of drinks because of the high sugar and calorie content that they usually contain. The truth is, water is not always enough and I went on a mission to find the perfect product to hydrate my body. I discovered Ultima Replenisher through a group of runners last year and have been hooked on it ever since. This product is great because it is low in calories, has zero sugar, nothing artificial, and tastes amazing. The packets or compact container can be stored in your gym bag and directly poured into your water bottle. It’s super convenient and the lemonade is a little slice of heaven after an intense sweat session.
Pre and Post workout fuel
I am an eat-on-the-go kinda gal and keeping snacks with me at all times is a must. If you are active and on the go you need fuel so keeping good quality snacks with you is super important. I have three items that I do not leave my house without.
1) Quest Bars- By far my favorite protein bar on the market. The only downfall is that Quest bars are high in carbs so i recommend them before working out. These are fantastic and do a great job at keeping my sweet tooth under control.
2) Apples- I love them, they are easy to pack, delicious, great before or after class
3) Almonds - Trader Joe's sells almonds in single serving packs which is great because nuts are easy to go overboard on. Nuts are one of my favorite post workout snacks. Filling, nutritious, and convenient.
Dry Shampoo
Ever since I started working in fitness I discovered that washing my hair after teaching three times a day was not going to fly. There are SO many dry shampoos on the market now, but my all time fave is Dove’s Refresh and Care dry Shampoo. I love this stuff because it allows me to go longer between washes, doesn’t have a strong scent and leaves my hair feeling clean. A lot of dry shampoos will still leave my hair feeling dirty which it why this product is great. I would recommend spraying all over (especially your roots) drying your hair with a hair dryer in the locker room and round brush for best results.
Flip Flops
I never leave the house, or go to the gym without them. Being a california native, I probably wear flip flops 11 months out of the year. The last thing I want to do after a workout or cycling class is put socks and sneakers on. Bacteria from sweating accumulates in athletic shoes and you should take shoes off as soon as your workout is over and change to a breathable shoe. Im partial to Havaianas but as a Californian native or not, flip flops are essential to your gym bag.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Samantha Weinberg, a Los Angeles native, is a personal trainer and cycling instructor at Beatbike in Tarzana. Also an avid marathon runner, she loves working with people and inspiring them to better their lives and health.
When she's not teaching, Sam spends time with her Maltipoo, Ari or indulging in her three guilty pleasures which are shopping, sunbathing, and peanut butter cups.