Some of you may be getting ready to head back into the office after many months spent home. Prior to the great 2020 lockdown, I worked out nearly every morning before work, including a 45min commute each way into the office. It took some planning and logistics to figure out, but the payoff was worth it every day. I wanted to feel good in all aspects of life and moving my body is the foundation for performance.
Getting gym-ready starts with your mindset then moves into your preparation, and having the right tools. So what I’m covering today is what you should be packing in your gym bag if you will resume your commute into the office. Let's dive in!
Before you pack a gym bag know what your gym provides. Are you going to have a day-use locker or a long-term use locker? Will you need to bring your own towels? Will you need to bring soaps and lotions? Knowing these before you pack your bag will make your life a whole lot easier. So really understand the amenities are available and provided by your gym.
Gym Bag
Things to consider when choosing a gym bag: you are going to want something that will store shoes, wet/sweaty clothes, a make-up bag, and likely a laptop. A solid bag will have plenty of pockets for organization and will likely be more utilitarian versus cute. If you know you're schlepping 20 min in any direction, I really recommend a double strap backpack instead of a one-sided shoulder bag because those can get really heavy and dig into your shoulders. Not the workout we're intending.
Change of Clothes
What I like to do is get up in the morning and right away put my gym clothes on and have my gym bag already packed with the clothes that I plan to wear into the office. A little bit of prep the night before makes getting out the door so much easier. Pro tip: look for clothes that are wrinkle-free or double check with your gym to see if they provide hangers in the lockers.
Undergarments
Don’t forget your undergarments. Pack extras. I can’t even tell you how many times I have finished a really fantastic workout and shower only to return to my locker and realize I was either missing a bra or panties. Not the business, trust me. How can you be a boss babe without feeling comfortable?!
Shoes
Keep in mind the type of shoes that you will typically wear in the office and potentially simplify. If possible, stash a pair or two of heels that are neutral and go with multiple outfits at your desk. Shoes can be incredibly bulky, taking up valuable bag space. In your gym bag, you’re also probably going to want some type of space that keeps your gym shoes separate from the rest of your belongings so they have a chance to air out after your sweat sesh. For gym shoes, I opt for a cross trainer to keep up with whatever might be on the workout plan for the day. These ones hold up super well to a ton of different activities, I don’t recommend them for intense running.
Toiletries
Back to my earlier note, check with your gym and really get to understand what type of amenities are available. This can drastically cut down on what you are carrying back and forth from home to the gym and the office. Basics will include shampoo, conditioner, body wash, moisturizer, deodorant. If you’re for it, dry shampoo will help extend any styling for an extra day. Stock all the way up. Praise the dry shampoo gods. This one is my all-time favorite.
Makeup
Makeup needs vary widely from person to person but keep in mind that the more you wear, the more you have to bring. You’re also going to need makeup brushes. I generally keep things pretty light and mild so I don’t need much more than a small makeup bag. You can also save a ton of space by investing in double-ended makeup brushes. I grabbed some from Sephora a few years ago, here's a link to something similar. Total game changer!
Being able to work out before your day starts in the office can give you a really great fresh perspective. You’ve already filled your cup, your energy will be higher, your metabolism will be boosted. With just a little bit of prep work the night before you can set yourself up for success!
Do you have any tips for commuting and working out that have made your routine easier?
With love and sweat,
Paige