Gym Bag Essentials with Special K

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #SpecialKGoodness #CollectiveBias

Everyone who follows me on SnapChat already knows that I love going to the gym with a duffle full of essentials and taking mirror selfies (but that’s beside the point). Since the New Year rolled around I have been 10x better about getting my lazy self to the gym for a complete butt-kicking workout 5-6 times every week. It is crazy that many of the newcomers have already come and gone. What I mean by that is the gym is only about half as crowded than it was just two weeks ago…. how are your resolutions coming along?

If you have a crazy busy schedule, like me, you probably find yourself fitting the gym in at ridiculous hours. Early in the morning and late in the evening are my go-to times. Going first thing in the morning leaves you little time to make excuses, but the evening is a whole different ball-game. I work most mornings right now and find myself having more energy in the evening anyway (kind of a night owl). What is the key to getting yourself straight from work to the gym? Having everything you could possibly need with you so there is no stopping on the way home and that is the reason I decided to write this post on Gym Bag Essentials.

Pictured above is the Adidas Diablo Small Duffel I take to the gym every single day. Inside of it are my necessities for the gym. If you are bringing a bag, of course, the number one purchase you must make is a padlock! I know some people don’t use them, but I get weary with this much packed into my bag. You can purchase one easily at Target along with most of these other products.

Aminos:

The best for post-workout muscle recovery. There are tons of different brands that make this product, but I has NLA for Her. It is formulated to work better for the female body. On days where I feel drained of energy I will take the NLA for Her pre-workout along with me as well. The containers come with 30 servings and run around $28 depending on where you purchase them. I like ordering from BodyBuilding.com because they send you samples and discounts with every purchase you make on the site.

Blender Bottle:

I only go 16oz. or larger so I can refill with water and stay hydrated during my workouts. I will carry a bottle around with me throughout the day too (usually my S’well bottle from Nordstrom) and keep track of all water intake. Target offers a wide selection of brands, colors, and sizes of blender bottles. Check them out here –> Target Blender Bottles. These are relatively cheap so you don’t have to worry about them banging around in your bag. The best part about these bottles is that you can use them throughout the day for protein, pre-workout, aminos, etc.

Protein Powder:

The small packs are perfect for throwing into your gym bag. You can get them at GNC or BodyBuilding.com in all sorts of delicious flavors. If you are looking for a weight-loss specific protein grab a brand like SlimQuick and portion it in containers to put in your bag. For a simple formula (great for beginners) try the Muscle Milk products, available at Target. The chocolate is my favorite but they also have cool flavors like Bananas and Cookies in Cream or traditional vanilla. These drinks are great for meeting protein goals or as a simple meal replacement.

Weight Lifting Gloves:

Under Armour makes my favorite pair. I like to prevent callouses as much as possible because I want my hands to remain somewhat feminine. Metal bars can definitely do a job on your hands and it becomes moreso when you go up in weight. I wore these during the Spartan Race and it was one of the best decisions I made because your hands get pretty beat up. I don’t put them on at the gym until I am about to start lifting. There are options starting at $10 like these ones by Champion for $12 on Target.com.

Headphones:

In my opinion, it is so hard to workout without good music. There have been times when I forget my headphones and completely lose motivation. Don’t let this happen to you! Packing an extra, old pair of earbuds in your bag is a great idea. I always keep them in there now so I can keep my concentration, motivation, and energy going throughout my workout. Tip: I use Spotify Premium for offline workout playlists.

Mini Emergency Kit:

These are so perfect for a gym bag (big or small); you can get one at pretty much any department store including Nordstrom and Bloomingdales. Depending on the kit you choose (I went basic) the contents vary. Mine includes a deodorant towelette, stain remover, nail polish remover pad, single-use dental floss, clear nail polish, lip balm, breath drops, hair spray, pain reliever, regular absorbency tampon, sterile adhesive bandage, a mending kit, a safety pin, double-sided tape strips, clear elastics, earring backs, and an emery board.

Lotion:

Jergens GLOW works great for when you have no makeup on at the gym! It makes your body and face look bronzed and is super moisturizing. You can check out the product line. This is hands down the best lotion I’ve used to date. In the summer I use the Jergens without the glow. The ingredients are simple, the size is right, and it works.

Hair Elastics:

… because who wants their hair caught in the bar? Definitely not me. I used to get so upset if I showed up to the gym ready for a workout only to realize I had no hair elastic. Gone are those days. Now I pack hair elastics into my gym bag so they will never be forgotten. When I notice I’m running low I purchase a new package. The Goody elastics are my favorite for a strong hold. The packages run around $5 and last a while if you remember to put them back after.

Tissue Packs and Sweat Towels:

You just never know when you need a tissue so I always buy these. They come in handy for random times when you are in the gym and don’t want to ruin your towel. These are cheap and easy to store. In fact, you can buy an 8-pack for under $3.00 at Target. For towels I usually keep 1 or 2 in my bag to spot check between supersets. My Spartan Race towel is my favorite but I also have a stack from Bauer.

Lip Balm and Mascara:

The Body Shop has all-natural options that leave your lips moisturized. I like to carry this little coconut flavored pot with me in my bag. Other than lip balm or chapstick I always wear mascara. I look specifically for products that are labeled waterproof because of the inevitable sweat you experience during an intense, energy-packed workout. For the gym I don’t go crazy buying expensive products so brands like Maybelline work great!

Portable Charger:

A must-have when you are coming straight from work. Sometimes the drive to the gym just isn’t enough to charge your phone. Portable chargers are great to have in your gym bag just BE SURE to keep them charged! It is so disappointing to need juice and realize you never re-charged it. They have all different styles which I don’t care too much about when it’s for the gym. Just grab a cheap one and plug it in once or twice a week to ensure it is loaded.

Snacks:

Special K Nourish Bars and Bites (see below) for a healthy bite. These are full of flavor and are small enough to pack a box into your bag. I like to keep one or two flavors handy for when I feel hunger coming on.

Okay so now you know exactly what I carry to the gym with me and I want to share with you WHY I love Special K Nourish Bars and Bites for a quick bite before, after, and sometimes during a workout. They are also a quick and healthy option for breakfast or a snack between classes. Running to and from class, work, and the gym leaves me hungry and often missing meals (oops). I keep a few packs of Bars and Bites in my car and gym bag for those moments when I just need to consume something.

Target is the store I go to for everything and that is no joke. Lucky for me these Special K Nourish bars are sold there. They sell the Chocolate and Cranberry flavors (cran is my favorite). Nourish Bars can be found in the aisle with granola bars at Target Stores.

Off-record… the Special K Fruit & Yogurt Cereal is incredible. I have been eating it every morning since high school. I honestly can’t get enough of it. The little yogurt bits are obviously my favorite part and I enjoy a bowl with almond milk and fresh raspberries *yum* I swear having a breakfast you truly enjoy makes your day SO much better.

Special K Nourish Bars are Chewy with a hint of crunch. They are chock full of wholesome ingredients like nuts and berries and taste delicious. They truly make snacking an experience. The chocolate and cranberry flavors both satisfy a sweet tooth, so go for something healthy and have Special K. I love to eat nuts so these bars are perfect for me. The flavor combinations are unique and satisfactory. The bites are tasty treats for on-the-go. Fingers crossed Target gets them back in stock soon because they are super easy to eat when I’m on my way to the gym!

Target & Kellogg’s will even hook you up with a good deal through Cartwheel

^^^