Happy Friday! Did this week seem exceptionally long for you?! I am so happy that it’s Friday 🙂 Today I’m linking up for Friday Five 2.0 with Rachel from Running on Happy and Lacey and Meranda from Fairytales and Fitness.
I’m lucky enough to live walking distance away from my gym. I’ve been a member of my gym for about 5 years, so I’ve had a few years to lock down my favorite gym/workout items.
There’s nothing worse than getting to the gym, ready to start your workout, only to realize that you have forgotten an important item. This has happened to me more times that I care to admit, so I started keeping an index card in my gym bag to make sure I always bring the absolute essentials. Here are my top 5 items!
1. Contigo Matterhorn Stainless Steel Water Bottle
I just purchased this water bottle a few weeks ago, but it has already jumped to the top of my list. I need cold water when I’m working out. Room temperature water just doesn’t cut it. This water bottle is 20 ounces and it keeps cold beverages cold for 24 hours! I’ve tested this numerous times and it’s the truth. I love that I can drink my ice cold water (with Nuun) before, during and after my workout. I also purchased one to keep at work because it keeps hot beverages hot for 12 hours. It’s also super affordable (currently on sale for $13.99)!
2. Cosmetics Bag
I use a cosmetics bag to hold all of my small items. There’s nothing more annoying than digging through your gym bag to find a hair elastic or a gel. It’s much easier to keep everything consolidated in one place. I keep hair elastic, a tube of Nuun, gels and chews, my headphones and a bottle of Aleve in my cosmetics bag.
I purchased my cosmetics bag from Old Navy for a few bucks. It’s no longer in stores, but this bag from Target is similar.
3. Platronics Backbeat FIT Wireless Headphones
I was lucky enough to win a pair of these headphones through a BibRave Twitter chat in 2015 and they have been amazing! They hold a charge for a long time and they are super easy to use. The bluetooth connection always works quickly for my iPod or iPhone. They are especially good for running because they never fall out and they fit comfortably in my ears. I listen to music for ALL of my workouts and runs, so this is definitely an essential item for me!
4. Nike Women’s Training Gloves
If I’m at the gym, chances are I am using the weight machines or taking a class such as Boot Camp or Body Works. All of these require lifting weights so I always make sure to have a pair of these training gloves in my gym bag. Wearing gloves helps to prevent calluses and gives a better grip on the weights. Also it helps to keep your hands a little cleaner!
5. GymWrap
It’s hard to workout if your hair keeps falling in front of your face, so I always wear a GymWrap. These wraps are awesome because they also keep the sweat out of your eyes. It also wicks moisture away from your hair.
Do you have any gym/workout essentials?
In other news, I passed the 3,000 mark on Instagram – THANK YOU! To celebrate and give back to my followers, I’m hosting a giveaway. You can enter here!
I hope you have a great weekend and enjoy Super Bowl Sunday!
Stacey says
Wireless headphones were such a game changer when I used to go to the gym. Since I workout at home, my essentials include a good speaker and kettlebells.
kookyrunner says
They really make my workouts much more enjoyable because I’m not having to always rearrange the cord!
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home says
I really need to try some wireless headphones! I’m always fumbling with the cord when I’m running. Yep, first world problems…
kookyrunner says
I highly recommend making the switch! I haven’t used regular wired headphones since I made the switch 🙂
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner says
I just recently switched to wireless headphones they are great! Happy Friday
kookyrunner says
How awesome are they? Such a game changer!
Meranda@Fairytalesandfitness says
I should really get some wireless headphones because my cord always gets caught around other things in my gym bag (that or perhaps I ought to put them in a small cosmetic bag like you mentioned).
Thanks for linking up!
kookyrunner says
I cannot recommend wireless headphones enough – they are so great and make workouts much easier!
Thanks so much for hosting the link up!
Amanda says
I am SO close to biting the bullet on wireless headphones. Was debating a cheap pair just to see if theyre something worth investing in, but now I’m sold on the Platronics! Just abandoned my Garmin for the AppleWatch, so LOVE the idea of running without my iPhone and bulky armband. Looks like I’m doing a little splurging today….xo!
kookyrunner says
Hey, it’s Friday…treay yourself! 🙂 You will be so happy with the wireless headphones.
Gina says
I LOVE my wireless headphones! They are so awesome. Wouldn’t have it any other way. I also use gym gloves too, but my butt hasn’t seen the inside of the gym in months 🙁 i need to get back to the weights.
kookyrunner says
I’m focusing a lot more on strength training this year so I’m getting back into weights and I am loving it!
josephine says
love the water bottle and wireless headphones are on my list of things to get, i always manage to get tangled up and or accidentally unplug my headphones daily
kookyrunner says
Thw wireless headphones were a game changer for me!
Teresa Bird says
The little cosmetic bag is a great idea …can’t believe I’ve never thought of that myself. I absolutely hate digging around in my gym bag looking for my earbuds or a hair tie. And it never fails that I can always find one of my weight lifting gloves while the other is nowhere to be found! Great idea! I’m going to get one today 🙂
kookyrunner says
It’s funny that something some small and simple can have such a difference in a gym bag!
Nicole @ Fitful Focus says
I love my plantronics!
kookyrunner says
I consider these one of my favorite fitness finds ever!
Rachel says
I don’t go to a gym. I can’t imagine the frustration of getting there only to find I left something like a hair tie at home! That would crush my soul. 🙂
kookyrunner says
I had so many “WTF” moments at the gym because I have forgotten something. I definitely need a list to remember everything lol
sarah says
I like that Gym Wrap! I might have to try that 🙂
kookyrunner says
I’ve been using their products for years and I have no complaints!
Marcia says
I too must have cold water. Is that bottle easy to clean? I’m using a Polar insulated one now. Yes to wireless and my Nike lifting gloves have been in use for 18+ years. They’re really ripped up by now but I love them!
kookyrunner says
Yes, it’s super easy to clean. I’ve been using a dish brush to clean it. The only downside is that it’s not dishwasher safe so you do have to wash it by hand.
Annmarie says
Loving that water bottle and for only $13, I think I need to pick one up!
kookyrunner says
Yes, it’s definitely a good deal!
Kimberly Hatting says
I think I’m one of the remaining few who don’t have wireless headphone (yet) LOL I have a bag that I keep packed with all of my post-race essentials…and that hangs on a hook by my back door so I don’t have to do a mad search if I’m leaving for a race. And, yes, this week was a long one…a co-worker was on vacation, so I had to monitor her emails…UGH! My brain is fried!
kookyrunner says
I like the idea of your post race bag! Sometimes its super easy to forgot all of what is needed for after a race or long run.
Megan @ Meg Go Run says
I wear gloves when I lift, too! The funny thing is, I still get callouses and dry skin. I can’t imagine how bad it would be if I didn’t wear gloves. Mine are Reebok. I started strength training about 4 yrs ago. I’m only on my second pair of gloves but these are ripping. 🙂
kookyrunner says
I think the gloves are the best when they are really worn in after a year or so!
Lisa @ Mile by Mile says
Ive been looking for a new water bottle so thanks for sharing that one! I am also so intrigued by wireless headphones. Glad to know you like the ones you won!
kookyrunner says
I think you would love the water bottle!
The Accidental Marathoner says
I WISH I lived walking distance from the gym! I hate any commute, so I just WALK on down to my basement and do what I can do!
kookyrunner says
I hear ya! I hate having to commute anywhere, especially a gym!
Cassandra says
That’s so nice you live that close to the gym! You can get your warm up done on the way there.
kookyrunner says
Definitely. I’ve run to the gym and back as a “warm-up” many times 🙂
MCM Mama Runs says
My “gym” is in my home, so the only thing I really need is a water bottle. I could definitely use a new one though.
kookyrunner says
I think you would really like the Contigo water bottle. Was so happy I stumbled upon it last month!
Michelle Rogers says
This is an excellent list!! I’ll take one of everything, please. 🙂
kookyrunner says
Thanks!
Jenn says
Love love love those gloves! And I am looking for a set of wireless headphones. Those look like they might be worth checking out!
kookyrunner says
I would definitely recommend the Platronics headphones – you’ll love them!
Zenaida Arroyo says
I am a BIG fan of the Contigo water bottles but mine is not as fancy as yours. I like mine cause it holds 32 ounces of water. Perfect size with 2 Nuun tablets. 🙂
kookyrunner says
I was actually thinking of getting a bigger one for runs in the summer. It will be nice to come back to 32 ounces of ice cold water with 2 nuun tablets!
Toni says
All great items! I love my contiguous and I got it half price at big lots!
kookyrunner says
That’s awesome!
Abby @BackatSquareZero says
I still use super cheapo wired headphones, one of these days I swear I will upgrade.
kookyrunner says
I still keep a pair of regular headphones in my gym bag just in case!
Farrah says
I’m with you, haha. I hateeee having to dig through my bag for little things. A cosmetics bag is a great idea for storage! My major gym essential = comfortable shoes + a hair tie! 😛
kookyrunner says
A hair tie is absolutely necessary for a good workout!
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets says
I need to look into the GymWrap – I’m always in need of a way to get my hair out of the way when working out!
kookyrunner says
It’s great! I actually need to order another one soon.
Sharon says
All great items! I have similar headphones from Plantronics and love them! Wireless is the best! I also love the water bottles that keep things cold or hot for long periods of time!
kookyrunner says
Wireless is so convenient, I love it!!