Thursday, October 16, 2014

9 Necessities In My Gym Bag

The title of this post is actually a lie because while I have a gym bag, I don’t have a gym to go to.  Right now, I have a car bag, which is basically a gym bag I keep in my car (duh) for those times when I drive to take long runs or go to the pool. Here’s what’s in it:

1. Puffs SoftPack – This is a brand spanking new item on the market and I love it. Instead of carrying around those big and bulky hard boxes of tissues or those tiny little packs, you can now use this full sized SoftPack to cram in between your car seats or in your gym bag. The package is even water resistant in case you want to take a run in the rain (if you want, go to the Puffs FB page and tell them, as a runner, how you will use these.PuffsSoftPackImage
2. Orbit Spearmint Gum – I don’t chew gum when I’m running, but I like it most other times. I happen to enjoy Orbit gum because for some reason I can pop that gum better than other brands. I like to pop gum on airplanes, in church, in movie theaters – anywhere that I can annoy people.

3. Wild Poppy Body Spray from Bodycology – A good rule of thumb is to do your best to not smell like ass and sweat during the time between the end of your workout and your shower. Body spray, and this one in particular, can cover up a multitude of unpleasant odors until you are able to wash correctly. The travel size is only $1.99 at Target.
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4. SPF 30 Sunscreen and Lip Balm – As I have matured I have foregone the baby oil and replaced it with actual sun protection. I also always wear lip balm with SPF because I get those damn icky cold sores if I don’t.

5. CYA Skirt – Often times I will run in my tights or short shorts, then head to the grocery store. In lieu of scarring other customers with my tight, short or revealing clothing, I throw on my CYA (Cover Your Ass) skirt.

6. Playtex Sport Tampons – These are the best. If you’ve ever had the experience of a tampon annoyingly descending down the canal while you are running, you know it is a very unpleasant experience. These tampons stay in place and “fit” with your body. Great for swimming too.



7. Clif Bars, Lara Bars, Jolly Ranchers, Charms Blow Pops – I can get very irritable and mean when I am hungry. I ALWAYS have  a snack nearby in case of an emergency. I also love to have Jolly Ranchers and lollipops in my car for when I am driving and bored.

8. Change of Shorts – This is a no brainer. I have had far too many occasions where I needed a clean pair of shorts. I will not go into detail, but suffice it to say that running brings out the worst in some of us.

9. Beach Towel – At some point in my life I realized that it is always a good idea to have a towel with you.  If you are sweaty and gross, you can use it as a liner on your car seat. If you go to an impromptu concert, you can lay down on it in the grass. If you fall into a lake you can dry yourself off. If you are dripping 45 ounces of sweat, you can sop it all up with the towel.


What other stuff do you carry in your gym bag? Any unique/odd items?

SUAR

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Puffs through their partnership with POPSUGAR Select. While I was compensated to write a post about Puffs, all opinions are my own.

33 comments:

  1. I don't have a gym bag either, but in my hiking backpack I always have an IV start kit and a liter of fluids.

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  2. Omg. The dreaded sliding tampon. I'm glad I'm not the only one these things happen to. I'll have to give these a try. Just turned 50, getting too old for this. Lol

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  3. I don't have body spray, but I do carry baby wipes and deodorant for the same reason. Plus the wipes remove the dried salt that irritates my skin, and I'm good to go for running errands!

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  4. I don't have a gym bag, just one for going to the pool. In it there is always an extra swimsuit. Extra swim goggles. Regular swim stuff. A little LED light I've never had to use. An extra lock in case I need two lockers, but I broke one of them last time. Note to self, buy another lock. Nothing odd in it, unfortunately. It had never occurred to me to put anything odd. I'm lazy and don't like carrying around anything more than I have to. It's already too heavy. Though I suppose I should toss in some munchies just in case.

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  5. I carry Bio Freeze or Deep Cold for when my knee pain flares up. I slap that all over my kneecaps and I'm good to go. Or at least not walk like I'm 90. I also have Clif Shot bloks, a couple of gels and some tampons.

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  6. I'd add Body glide to this list. I'm pretty excited for the Hat Trick this weekend!!

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  7. I always keep towels in my car! It seems crazy to me now to not have one....either for running or impromptu sitting outside.

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  8. Your gym bag and my gym bag don't hold the same stuff (except for the change of shorts thing).

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  9. I keep a golf ball in my gym bag so I can roll out my feet if I'm having a plantars fasciitis flare up.

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  10. BodyGlide, sunscreen, tampons, EPIC lamb and bison bars, RXbars (made of figs, dates, and egg white protein) and baby wipes.

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    1. BodyGlide for sure!!! I may have to try those EPIC bars!

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  11. I always have Orbit spearmint gum on-hand for the very same reason - it pops better than any gum out there. But I also like to chew gum when I run, too.

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  12. I've never had the tampon slide down before. In the car I always have bug spray and sunscreen.

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  13. Dry Shampoo....I have long long hair and I'd much rather blow dry my hair (the gyms I go to have blow dryers or wall dryers) and use some spritzes of dry shampoo to fake the cleanliness. :)

    I use "Wild Poppy" body spray, too. I also like their Blueberry scent.

    I'm getting some good suggestions from you and all the comments! BodyGlide.....a new "must" for me.....let's just say last Saturday's run did a number on my chest! ZING!!! Ouch!!

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  14. Those tampons are the best. really live up to their sports name. Also I also keep a change of socks.

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  15. I also don't have a gym bag, but my glove compartment always has granola bars.

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  16. Nail clippers, athletic tape to cover hot spots or blisters. Extra long sleeve & t-shirt. Bandana for you never know...

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  17. Do those Sport Tampons work even if you have expelled a small person out of the ol' lady garden? I don't know if I my Mormon genes are TOO efficient or what, but if I walk a short distance or even THINK about running, I can't do tampons. My shame. My sad, yet amazingly quick child-bearing shame.

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  18. I just did inventory of my bag while cleaning out my now totaled car. I had tampons, gum, a brush, extra hair ties/headband, socks, sports bra, water bottle, deodorant, a few bucks and some crap my daughter threw in there....I don't carry rainbow bright my little ponies with me and much as I love them!

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  19. Gym bag: A ziploc (zippy) bag with a two different headbands, ponytail holders and a few clips. A zippy bag with deodorant, body spray and tissues. A gallon zippy bag with a clean pair of drawers, tampons and pantyhose (I often workout at work and sometimes put my hand through the pair I start out with). A few small face towels, in case the gym is out, a beach towel for shower and a bath towel cut in half that serves as a cover for the dreaded gym equipment.
    In my car I have a fairly new roll of paper towels, a bottle of windex, in case of a bird with colitis who plops a huge deuce on my car (especially someplace like the door handle), and an empty gallon water bottle with the top portion cut off, but with the handle left on. This works wonders if you get a call from school that your kid is puking their guts up! The hole cut at the top fits their face, and the handle is for them to hold onto. The paper towels also come in handy for this. I also have tissues, ponytail holders, tampons (in the glove box, next to my registration), pens, a flashlight, a plastic backed picnic blanket, a bath towel umbrella and a set of headphones (for my son when his music is getting to me.
    Amy P. Philly runner.

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  20. I always have a spare pair of sunglasses to run in. My eyes get really watery when I run and the sunglasses help.

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  21. Hair ties. Lots and lots of hair ties. And Q-tips...especially for post swim.

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  22. Ladies give up the tampons and get a moon cup. It won't budge until you want it too and if you're on a long run and want to change it just pee over it and give it a shake. Pee is sterile so no probs there. Just make sure you get running before the cougar smells it ;-) not a problem for me in England mind.

    I always have Vaseline to rub on before and after and lots of safety pins cos I always turn up late to races and they've run out. You can't have too many spare socks, knickers or headphones.

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  23. Forgot to add little zip ties for affixing the timing chip to your shoe laces.

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  24. Hi Beth! I don't have a 'gym bag' but I do have a question ;)
    Since you mentioned the tampons (I use those and love them) Have you ever received the extraordinary news that your menstruation was about to arrive...just in time for your next triathlon...? (just imagine why I'm asking...) Any suggestions??? :(

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  25. I always have duct tape. You can use it to repair all kinds of things.

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  26. I have two gym bags, one for the gym I go to all the time and one for when I swim. The swim bag has a lot more in it. Neither of them has anything odd, however the swim bag is also great for an overnight bag because it has everything needed to shower and get ready...shampoo, conditioner, hair product, make up, brush, hair dryer, deodorant, lotion. It's good to be ready to run away if needed.

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  27. eft the tampon descending down the canal. if the devil were a form of chafing it with be labial chafing from tampon descending. will give these a try!

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  28. I always bring my ankle and knee braces just in case they start to act up, and sunscreen because I need to start thinking about that.

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