Opening up my gym bag for y’all this morning!

While my gym bag is nothing glamorous, it does its job and I’m a big fan of the neon color. I always love seeing other girls’ posts about what they carry around in their handbags on a regular basis so I thought it would be fun to put a little fitness spin on that for today’s Workout Wednesday post. Since I’ve been traveling quite a bit {back on the road for work Thursday-Sunday} lately, having this tote packed and ready to grab has been essential for me to stay on time. Each of the items that I have in here are time savers that help me get ready after a sweaty OrangeTheory workout or cycling class but that also combat the ‘I got ready at the gym this morning’ look that I try to avoid when I walk into my office. With only 2 showers and minimal space to get ready at OTF, I pack lightly and efficiently and only use products that I absolutely need. No time or room for a full makeup bag–not that I ever use one anyway–or 3 different hot tools for my room means that I have to get creative to achieve a look that is both professional and effortless. Thankfully the women’s restroom has a nice blow dryer and a few products from the salon next door, so I don’t have to bring hardly anything in the hair department. I’m breaking my must-haves down simply by category and sharing why these things are non-negotiable for me in the AM…

Workout Necessities

Obviously I need shoes to workout in, so the first thing in my bag is always a pair of running shoes. I’ve been wearing these Nikes for the past 3 weeks and have loved them for their lightweight feel and their support with side-to-side movements and jumping moves. My S’well Water Bottle, in the 25oz. size, is another must during workouts. I usually go through an entire bottle during class and then refill and finish another full bottle while I’m showering and getting ready. This bottle easily fits into the treadmill and spin bikes and keeps my water really cold. If I’m not doing OrangeTheory, I’ll always bring along my Garmin Watch + Heart Rate Monitor {similar, mine is sold out} to keep an eye on my heart rate and to track my calories burned, distance, etc. I am currently in the market for a new fitness watch, so if you have suggestions send them my way! I also like to have a small towel handy when I know I’ll be quickly moving around on different pieces of equipment and an extra headband is always in my bag because you never know when your hair just wont cooperate. 😉 Last but not least, there are always a few random flavors of Larabars so that I always have access to a quick pre or post-workout snack when I forget a banana on my way out the door.

Shower Essentials

Because showers in any gym, no matter how clean they look, completely gross me out, I always have a pair of flip flops in my bag to put on as soon as I take my shoes and socks off. Because I go for cheap flip flops, I usually go with a pair for about a month and then toss them because I’m sure they’re nothing but a breading ground for bacteria. SO GROSS. I rinse off quickly with the body wash that they offer in a wall dispenser {I know they use Dial Anti-bacterial because I’ve seem refill it–it’s not my preference but it works and smells good enough} and then wash my face with Kiehl’s Pineapple Scrub. I love using this after a grueling workout because I really feel like it’s getting rid of all the grime from the last hour and it doesn’t dry my face out afterwards. Once I hop out of the shower, I lather on Kiehl’s Hydrating Cream and spritz myself with this Evian Spray. I swear the spray is a game-changer. It’s super refreshing and wakes my face up immediately. **I also take this with me any time I’ll be in a car or on a plane and spritz myself with it when I arrive at my destination. I swear it’s a miracle worker!**

Hair Products

I usually do not wash my hair after a gym workout–ain’t nobody got time for that. However, I don’t want to look like a total grease ball so I spray dry shampoo at my roots and along my hairline, add a cheap sea salt spray for extra texture and then blow dry on a cool setting. Afterwards I’ll run my favorite mini brush through my strands, spray a little Moroccan Oil that the nearby salon provides and call it a day. See how high-maintenance my hair routine is!? Yikes! I’m almost embarrassed for sharing how pathetic that really is. #notsorrythough

Minimal Makeup

Primer + Tinted Moisturizer + Mascara is the way I roll. Both the primer & tinted moisturizer are oil-free so I don’t have to worry about having a shiny face throughout the day and the combination of both products provides me with just enough coverage. If I’ve got a big meeting or lunch to go to later in the day, I will also swipe the NARS Multiple Stick in Orgasm on the apples of my cheeks and brow bones to give myself a little lift. Right now I have eyelash extensions {more on those soon!} so I’ve been getting away with either no eye makeup at all or just a tiny bit on my bottom lashes and it’s been glorious!

Add in a body towel, extra hair ties & bobby pins, an extra pair of socks, eye drops and hand sanitizer and I’m set! What do YOU carry in YOUR gym bag?! Any essentials I’m missing!? Please share! xox