Spring Shapeup Week 7 – My Favorite Gear

I’m just about to head over to the gym today and I thought that for this week’s Spring Shape Up post, I’d show you what I like to keep in my gym bag.

Besides packing up some gym clothes, there are a few things that I always have in my gym bag. I just picked up this new gym bag while I was in the US last month and I love it. It cost only $20, but it has a section for my gym shoes, a wet bathing suit section, as well as plenty of pockets for the organization freak in me.

The latest addition to my gym gear are these leather gloves that I use for when I am doing Strength Training.  My hands used to always hurt when I would do weight lifting and I was starting to get calluses, so these seemed like a simple solution. It took a little while to get used to them, but now I love wearing them. It makes it so much easier!

When I’m at the gym, I hate trying to time things on those big clocks on the wall, so I picked up this cheap digital watch. Its also great for timing my runs, walks and bike rides too.

When I’m at the gym, I am all about hydration! I drink plenty of water before, during and after every workout. A few years ago my sister picked out this funky Lululemon water bottle for me and it is almost always the one that I take with me. Usually I don’t have any problems with it, but a few months ago I went to BodyPump with a friend and when I went to go squirt some water into my mouth, the lid wasn’t on tight and I got water all over me. Right in front of the class. I just laughed it off and borrowed the instructor’s towel to clean everything up, but I definitely learned my lesson – always make sure the cap in on tight!

I am horrible about remembering the combination for locks, so I tend to take an old school mini key lock for the lockers. I just put the elastic band around my water bottle and then I’m good to go!

When I’m doing my Strength Training routine, I tend to take these little cards with everything written down. If I go up in the weight I’m lifting, I write it down at the end of the workout and keep track of my progress. Of course, I always have my iPod too! I need my tunes to get through a workout.

These are my favorite running shoes – my Mizuno Wave Nexus 4. I went to Running Room last year to get properly fitted and these were the ones I ended up picking out. I love the mesh top (so breezy!) and the light feel of them. They’re the perfect running shoes to take in my luggage because they are so lightweight and they fit perfectly into the shoe compartment of my gym bag.

I also like to keep some of those hotel size bottles of moisturizer, shampoo, conditioner and bodywash in my gym bag. I never know when I might be going to another gym with a friend and want to freshen up post-workout, so I like to keep some supplies in there with a small mirror and mini brush, just incase.

Another little backup plan, is this beat up packet of instant Oatmeal. With my peanut allergy, it isn’t always easy to find safe food, so I like to keep a little something in my bag in the event that I need to get some food fast.

Look who wants to go to the gym too! I can just imagine Whiskey trotting along on the treadmill.

I’m off the gym now and today’s playlist is Classic Rock! I grew up listening to this stuff all the time and now its some of my favorite workout music. I like to crank it up and sing along….when there is no one else around 🙂

Classic Rock Workout Playlist

1. Black Betty – Ram Jam
2. Bad Reputation – Joan Jett
3. Who Do You Love  – George Thorogood
4. Born To Be Wild – Steppenwolf
5. Brown Sugar – The Rolling Stones
6. Raise a Little Hell – Trooper
7. The Boys Are Back in Town – Thin Lizzy
8. Shoot to Thrill – AC/DC
9. Layla – Derek and the Dominos
10. Take the Money and Run – Steve Miller Band