Since I seem to be in the practice of revealing all my fitness secrets 😉 I thought I’d share what exactly I bring with me to the gym every day! It’s not all that much, but each item serves a specific purpose.
Ole’ Faithful backpack from college
I’ve literally had this since my freshman year of college, so it’s been with me for a loooong time. I think it even came to Japan with me a couple of years ago. It is extremely sturdy and easily washed in the washing machine and hung to dry. If this quality is representative of all Eddie Bauer backpacks, I highly recommend the brand!
Combination lock
I like to keep my stuff in a locker while I work out and I’m too cheap to rent one from the gym. Plus, it’s convenient to have my own lock for when I’m traveling and visiting a new gym.
Funny story: I’ve had this particular lock since college. One time it got stuck on a locker at the campus recreation center and I had to get a rec staffer to try to take it off with bolt cutters. Said staffer was TOTALLY AND OBVIOUSLY hung over from the night before and reeked of booze. Needless to say, he was unable to remove it. (Luckily, I tried again to take it off the normal way after my workout and was successful.) Soooooo that’s why my lock is all jacked up. I will say that makes it easy to pick my locker out? Soooo.
Body lotion
‘Cuz no one likes to lift with ashy knees and elbows. (Looks like it’s about time to replace mine.)
Weightlifting gloves
I use these for two reasons: to give me a little extra grip and to prevent callouses. I wear them on back day only because that’s when I do pulling movements.
Wrist wraps & weightlifting straps
Wrist wraps (left) and straps (right). I have this set from Amazon.
Wrist wraps: I don’t use wraps very often, but they are useful for supporting wrists during heavy pressing movements like overhead pressing or benching.
Weightlifting straps: These I only use when I’m going to be doing a very heavy pulling movement, like heavy deadlifts, rack pulls, or T-bar rows. They offload much of the pressure from my wrists so that my grip strength doesn’t limit how much I can lift.
Beats headphones
THESE ARE EVERYTHING TO ME. My mom got them for me as a Christmas gift a couple of years ago and they’ve been my staple gym accessory ever since. Not only are they cute and pink, but they sound great and block out background noise (like dudes grunting unnecessarily).
Critical Aminos XT and BCAA Capsules
You might remember that I wrote about these guys in this Pro Prep Diaries post about my supplement sidekicks, so I won’t go on again about how much I love BCAAs.
Competition posing heels
I keep these “sexy” stripper heels in my gym bag so if I spy an empty mirrored classroom after my workout I can strap them on and get some posing practice in. I practice posing 3-4 times a week; more if I’m getting close to a competition.
Presentation means everything in bodybuilding. You could have the best physique on stage, but if your posing is bad, you will not do well. We (figure competitors and bikini competitors) wear clear heels because they lengthen your legs without any visual distractions.
Speaking of physiques, here’s my latest week to week comparison. I think I’m looking about the same, but my weight is 0.8 lbs lower.
So tell me, what’s in YOUR gym bag?
Psst: You can check out other favorites (that I can’t fit into my gym bag) on my faves page!
Read the rest of the posts in my figure competition prep series here, and follow along with my pro figure competition journey with Instagram hashtag: #proprepdiaries!
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About the Sports Drink powder- a Urologist told me once that artificial dyes (especially the Blue and Green) are very hard on the kidneys. You should look into finding a Sports drink colored by beet, carrot, or other natural food powders.
You are looking great! and those sexy stripper heels tickled me 😀 :D. My gym bag would normally have my weightlifting gloves, extra clothes, towel, and my basic makeup kit.
you look so good wow! i always have my gloves with me as well, and headphones!
I love Twilight Woods. yummy. Prolly a weird question but do you have trouble finding clothes to fit or have to get them custom made? I swear if you’re over 5’4″ and a certain build, clothes just aren’t available. I’m tall so it’s always challenging.
I do have trouble with clothes. I have large legs and butt, but a small waist, so I’ve had a hard time finding jeans. I have good luck at the Limited with the 917s and I also have a pair of Levi’s 535 leggings.
As for shirts, I can’t really wear anything structured because if I buy something that fits the width of my shoulders and back it will be way too loose on the waist. I stick to loose and flowy silhouettes for the most part. When I had an office job I bought a few of the Ashton dress shirts from the Limited and I do like those.
Hope this helps!
Hahaha love the heels!!!! I have friends that do bikini competitions and we always giggle about the stripper shoes lol….
Lol. It is quite a ridiculous thing to have in my bag!
I have sooo many crazy stuff in my gym bag! I’m terribly girly girly with that one. Way to many useless things occupies my bag, time to clean it a bit.
Awesome! You have everything covered in your bag! My gym bag is lighter than yours!
I love those beats! Theyre so fab in the pink color!
I don’t have a gym bag! When I get a chance to work out I love to exercise outside. You have everything covered in your bag!
Wow!!! My gym bag is significantly lighter than yours! My workout buds wouldn’t know what to do with me in those shoes LOL Awesome!
Looks like you are ready for everything…..Perfect collection.
Love that super sexy heels! I know you’ll totally rock it, girl!
I like that the Beats are in pink. That way my kids wouldn’t steal ’em. 🙂
Thanks for the sneak peek. Your gym bag seems like it’s got all the essentials, plus some fun extras. I was worried you were going to say you do your workouts in heels. I can barely walk in them.
Ha! Now that would be a workout.
I love getting a little glimpse behind the scenes. Thanks for the fun post. I love that you keep your posing heels in your bag – something I never would have thought of (being on the “outside” of the bodybuilding world). I suck…my gym bag is empty.
Awesome post! That bag looks brand new! Sad to say, I don’t have a gym bag 🙁
I guess I don’t go to the gym as prepared as you! Most the time I just have my phone and water but I think it is a good idea to start carrying a towel and a few other items.
I can’t believe your bag has been with you since college, it looks brand new! When I go to the gym, I’ve got a lock, head phones, water bottle and towel.
I didn’t know that’s why they wear clear heels. Very interesting. I also didn’t realize posing was so important.
I’m awful. I don’t have a gym bag at the moment. But I’d like to think I’d have water, a change of clothes and probably my phone and some sort of music contraption in there!
I don’t need a gym bag because my gym is at home IF I worked out, which this winter I have not. My rowing machine sits in my family room, though, just in case. Being old, I really need not to take time off from exercising since nothing ever springs back in place like it used to.
You look great and I imagine feel even better. Healthy. We’re not meant to be overweight or non-exercisers.
Thanks for the inspire.
Teresa
Honestly i don’t have gym bag i usually with phone and water only.
My gym bag is pretty bare at the moment. I just keep water, extra clothes, headbands, and a towel in there.
Looking great! I guess ‘m missing some things in my bag. I usually have my headphones, water, and phone…. lol. 🙂
Honestly, I don’t have a gym bag, I think, these things are must have, I like your being fitness.
I don’t have a gym bag, but I live by headphones when I’m there. I feel so intimated, they make me feel better, lol.
You are so sweet Chanelle to imagine I HAVE a gym bag to wonder what’s in it LOL! Can we talk about what’s in my purse instead?! Love that you are taking us on this fascinated journey preparing for your competition! It’s so exciting.
These are great essentials for your gym bag. I have not went to a gym in over 20 years. When I was younger I loved lifting weights but I was told I couldn’t anymore because of the surgeries I have had on my arms. Now I just love doing Pilates which I do at home.
Wow. These is great. I love the stuff on your gym bag 🙂 I had a gym bag too 🙂 Good Luck to your Journey
Great stuff in your bag! All I have is a towel, earbuds and iPod, bottled water, apple juice, a banana and my shower kit.
Oh my goodness, you look amazing! I saw the clear heels and it took me a minute to figure out you must be a body builder–or in an exercise pole dancing class! Both are fun, I imagine.
I don’t have a gym bag to be honest with you BUT I love that lotion.
I think you have the essential gym items. When I get serious with my workout, I’d love to have these items.
I definitely have deodorant, gym clothes, a water bottle and a lock.
When at the gym, having what to listen to is very important to me. I would definitely include those headphones in my bag.
Wow – I don’t have a gym bag but your hard work sure is paying off! Keep it up!
Who would have thought they’d see heels in a gym bag, right? Mine would include extra clothes, a towel, and a water bottle.
Well I do not have a gym bag–hey–I don’t work out or go to a gym anymore! I probably should have had those wrist straps back when I did.
My husband hits the gym in our household.
And I know he needs his towel and boxing gloves because he belongs to a group fitness boxing gym.
These look like great things to have in your gym bag! I love that you are so fit!
This is a good reminder that I need to get back to the gym!! I haven’t been in quite a while. You look amazing!!
Your gym bag pretty much looks like mine!! I love to see what other people have in theirs. Mine also has my polar, headphones, and protein drinks.
Wow – you are looking awesome! Great gear in your gym bag. Those headphones look awesome I need a good pair when I work out.
I love Beats headphones. They have such great sound quality, and they’re perfect for working out.
I don’t think you look the same at all. I can clearly see more definition in your body this week.
I love being nosy and seeing what people have in their bags. I love your backpack. I have a backpack I have had for years which I love. I am dreading the day it finally goves up the ghost.
That backpack sounds great. I could use a new one, I will check this brand out. I usually have ear buds and water in my gym bag.
You can’t get a proper workout without some great tunes, and Beats are the way to go. It looks like you put a lot of thought into your gear – good luck with the upcoming comp!
I love the pink beats! I don’t go to the gym anymore. When I walk, I just bring my belt bag with me and a bottle of water.
I always take headphones to the gym. I need something to keep my motivated when I’m working out.
I usually have ear buds in mine. I didn’t realize they make so many things like that for weight lifting.
I learned the hard way that you need a lock in your gym back. All I had was a shirt in my gym locker, and somebody stole it. It wasn’t even that great of a shirt!
That totally sucks! Sheesh.
What’s in my gym bag? Absolutely nothing. My workout is chasing my kids around all day and doing chores. Lifting a laundry basket is my arm workout!
I’ve taken a peek inside a few blogger’s purses, but this is the first time I’ve seen what’s in a gym bag. And I love it! And I can tell a difference in your pics. You look much leaner in that second photo. You amaze me!
I live about two minutes from the gym, so I don’t even bring a bag with me when I go. I just grab my iPod and a bottle of water and that’s all I need.
That’s so convenient! Jealous!
Wow! This is awesome! I love those pink beats 🙂
Ditto. I usually use ear buds, but I am kind of wanting a pair of those now.