Heading to the gym? First of all – go girl. Whether you’re lifting weights, getting some cardio in or working on those glutes, the gym is a great place to stay active and reach those fitness goals.
So to ensure you’re looking and feeling the best for your workout, we highly recommended bringing a bag to stash all your belongings. Along with the no-brainers like a towel and a change of clothes, we’ve pulled together all the very best gym bag essentials you’ll be reaching for. And the best part? They’re all under $20.
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What should a gym bag contain?
There are a few staples you should have in your gym bag. These can include your exercise clothes, a pair of joggers, a towel, a water bottle and a change of clothes after your workout. Depending on the type of exercise you’ll be doing, you may need additional equipment such as training gloves, pilates socks, wrist weights or your own yoga mat.
Now to the fun stuff. We love keeping a small bag of beauty products inside our gym bag with all our skincare and body essentials. Think deodorant, body wipes, sunscreen and a luscious moisturiser for our post-workout shower.
Gym bag essentials under $10
Feeling hot and sweaty after your workout? Micellar water is a great light cleanser to lift dirt, oils and make up while giving your skin a much needed refresh. One of the key ingredients in this Nivea version is amino acids which helps repair and moisturise the skin.
If you don’t have time for a full body shower, opt for Cetaphil’s wet wipes. While some wipes can leave your skin desperate for hydration, these ones are super soft and gentle at removing make up and dirt. They’re loaded with aloe vera, vitamin B3 and pro-vitamin B5 to protect the skin’s moisture barrier and can easily be tossed in your bag.
Keep your lips, face and body hydrated and nourished with MCoBeauty’s skin ointment. While it may look like an ordinary lip balm, it’s designed for all over the body (hence the name) without feeling sticky. Use it before or after your workout or both. Plus, this comes in a pack of two!
Gym bag essentials during your workout
If you only choose one thing on this list, be sure it’s hair ties. For those with long hair, there are few things more annoying than turning up to workout and realising you don’t have anything to tie up your mane. This 120 pack with no metal clasp promises a secure hold without damaging your hair.
If sweaty pits aren’t for you, a good antiperspirant deodorant is a must-have in any gym bag. This one works three times harder than a regular deodorant to provide long-lasting results – we’re talking 96 hours long. It glides on smooth to help keep bacteria at bay which causes odour in the first place.
Stay hydrated during your workout with this 1 litre bottle. Made from BPA-free plastic, it features a sip straw and a silicon grip sleeve. Easily take it with you from station to station with the carry handle for the ultimate gym companion.
Gym bag essentials after your workout
You’ve put in the hard work, you deserve a little treat! These better-for-you sweets have no added sugar, are gluten free, contain natural colour and flavour, and are a source of prebiotic fibre. Available in a whole bunch of flavours like raspberry, sour, fruity and strawberry.
Conveniently sized in a to-go tube, this hair styling wax is a great option if you can’t wash your hair after your workout but you still need to look presentable afterwards. It provides great hold for your slick back bun, high ponytail or for getting those little baby hairs to behave.
If you don’t like the feeling of wax in your hair, maybe a dry shampoo is more up your alley. This two-in-one spray absorbs the oils in your hair and scalp while delivering texture and volume all without the use of water. After you’ve gotten changed out of your gym gear, spray onto your scalp and let it sit for two minutes before brushing it out.
Just a very good sunscreen. This one from Neutrogena is lightweight, doesn’t leave your skin feeling greasy or shiny and offers a protection of SPF 50. Apply a generous layer to your face and let it do its thing for 20 minutes before you leave the gym for optimum protection against sun exposure.
Gym bag essentials for your post-gym shower
This on-the-go sized version of the iconic Australian Jojoba is a rich face and body oil that nourishes, moisturises and repairs the skin. It’s loaded with goodness such as vitamin A, D and E, and omegas 6 and 9. Lather it over damp skin as you’re hopping out of the shower.
Cleanse and hydrate your skin after your gym shower with this dermatologically tested cleanser from CeraVe. Massage into damp skin to thoroughly clean your face without stripping it of its natural oils and moisture. It’s free from chemical nasties and other harsh ingredients to leave your skin feeling nourished.
Designed to hydrate dry skin, the new formulation of The Ordinary’s most popular face serum locks in moisture, perfect for your post-gym shower. Smooth it over your face and neck to reduce the appearance of fine lines while nourishing all over.
This travel sized tube soothes and heals dry skin thanks to its thick award-winning formulation that hasn’t changed in almost 100 years. It contains natural ingredients like chamomile, rosemary and sweet almond oil to hydrate even the driest of skin.
When you’re ready to head out, don’t forget to reapply your face sunscreen. This one from Bondi Sands is SPF 50+, fragrance-free, super hydrating and is tinted for a sheer coverage. The face lotion formulation acts as a rich moisturiser, a sunscreen and as light skin tint so there’s less to carry in your gym bag.
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