What’s in my Gym bag as a New Powerlifting Girly
As an avid gym-goer and recent powerlifter, my gym bag houses everything I need to have a successful session. Because I don’t gatekeep, I will spill the tea on what’s in my gym bag so that you too can go to the gym with one less thing to worry about. Here is a bit of relevant background information I need to share before I get to the nitty gritty of my gym bag: I like to be prepared for EVERYTHING so I have these things in my bag at all times (yes my bag can be heavy but it’s the price I pay to ensure I never go without.)
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The gym bag I use.
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What’s in my gym bag:
So let’s get into the content of my gym bag, this is a comprehensive list, I don’t always use every single thing during every session but like I said earlier, I like to make sure I have all the things I may need because you never know!
Music makes you lift more, get good headphones
First things first, I like to have my headphones in my bag. Lately, I have been using my Bose Quiet Comfort 35s (an over-the-ear headphone) but for the longest time, I used these earbuds from Amazon. I only made the switch to the over-the-ear headphones because of the noise-cancellation feature.
Get Cushioning for those Gains AKA a Barbell Pad
A barbell pad is KEY especially if you are someone who is trying to grow your glutes and do barbell hip thrusts. Most gyms do have these barbell pads but I have found that a lot of the pads either don’t have any cushioning, or they’re so worn that they basically just slip off the barbell which isn’t the most useful when you’re trying to lift heavy.
Don’t lose your Grip, Get Wrist Straps
I initially bought wrist straps because I wanted to increase the weight I was using but the weight would slip out of my hands after a couple of reps (this was before I went to a powerlifting/olympic lifting gym where chalk was allowed.) Having wrist straps is game-changing when you have sweaty palms or your grip strength doesn’t match your strength. Cobra grips in particular are a nice way to dabble in the world of wrist straps before trying all the other kinds.
Let’s Band Together with Resistance Bands 😉
Resistance bands are a staple in my gym bag and have been for a few years now. I used to be that girl who would use them primarily for my leg days for activation and growth purposes. I use them (normally the long band) in my warm-ups.
Your Sole Mate: Good Footwear
For shoes, I have been rocking my ole faithful Converse Chuck Taylors, they have lasted me a few years and I will continue to use them until they fully fall apart (or if I finally bite the bullet on the squat shoes I have had my eyes on for the longest time. If I am going to be doing any cardio (aka running or walking on the assault air runner) I will wear a running shoe, the brand doesn’t matter to me since I am not an avid runner.
Gotta Capture the Moment: Tripod
As a fitness content creator having a tripod in my gym bag is essential to ensure I am capturing as much gym content as possible. Having a tripod also comes in clutch in situations where I want to check my form for a particular lift, record a PR attempt, and record a lift for my coach to review. This is the tripod I use and swear by.
Gotta Hydrate: Water Bottle
A water bottle might seem like a given but I have forgotten mine at home and have regretted it because I don’t like using water fountains and I don’t want to have to pay for it. I have been LOVING my Reduce 40oz tumbler (Stanley dupe) and I got mine from the magical land of Costco in a pack of two AND it was on SALE!!
But wait, there’s more! In my gym bag essentials extras edition, you’ll find:
- Snacks: Because a hungry lifter is not a happy lifter and I know this from experience
- Chapstick: Because dry lips are the enemy of focus.
- Power Bank & Charging Cable: A dead phone is a lifter’s worst nightmare because no music and no scrolling between sets.
- Socks: Because nobody likes sweaty feet ruining their gym experience.
And there you have it—my gym bag essentials, designed to keep you prepared for anything the gym gods (or your coach) throw your way. So go ahead, pack your bag, and let’s make those gains together!