A Beginner's Guide to What You Need for the Gym

This article will go over a few of the most important items to pack in your gym bag whether you’re coming from work, school, or home. Keep in mind that these are just basic necessities—you can always add to your kit if you need something else later on.

Gym Bags

The first thing to look for is a sleek, durable gym bag that can hold everything you need. While many companies manufacture bags specifically designed for working out, there’s nothing wrong with bringing an all-purpose bag or backpack to the gym.

Clothes

If you’re buying a new set of gym clothes, remember to get several sets of outfits in order to cover an entire week of exercise. You don’t want to be stuck doing laundry after every workout.

Shirts

You can always start exercising in an old shirt, but specialized materials such as polyester and nylon are better at keeping you dry and comfortable. You’ll need a new shirt for every workout, so keep at least four or five on hand if you’re exercising regularly.

Shoes

Exercise shoes could be the most expensive item on this list, but you should be able to use a high-quality pair for at least a year. This list covers some of the most popular workout shoes for 2020–look for supportive footwear that fits well and doesn’t make you sore after working out.

Socks

Like shirts, socks need to be washed after each workout. Athletic socks provide additional cushioning with a snug fit to prevent your feet from sliding around in your shoes. Black, navy, and other dark shades will maintain their original colors longer than white or light gray.

Accessories

In addition to clothes, you should buy some basic accessories to make the workout process easier. These are a few good purchases to start with.

• Headphones: Most headphones aren’t designed to stay in your ear during exercise, so you may need to find a new pair.
• Towel: A workout towel is perfect for cleaning off sweat and wiping down machines after exercising.
• Laundry bag: Without a laundry bag, your gym bag will gradually get dirty from storing clothes after you finish working out.

If you’re not sure what to bring to the gym, this checklist will help you prepare for the first few weeks. Don’t forget to find a bag with extra space in case you need to add to your workout kit later on.