Our m challenge “maximize” post for Health & Fitness is discovering the essentials for your gym bag – what are the most useful items to take with you, not only to the gym but also when you travel so you can maintain your workout goals. I asked Tammy Weisweaver from B Present Studio to tell us what essentials she carries in her bag and I love how she pared it down to 3 essentials!
First off, I know getting in a workout for many women these days means fitting in 15 mins here, 10 mins there between feedings/naps/etc. The gym essentials I list can be used at the gym, at home, outside, virtually anywhere!! The last time I took a mini getaway, I definitely missed some of my gym bag essentials and I made a mental note to never travel again without at least 2 of the 3 things I’m about to mention!
Gym Bag Essentials
1.
Long stretchy resistance band (I use one about 8 ft long without handles that can be manually tied and untied into all different sizes, making it very versatile). I LOVE using the band for:
- strength work in arms (bicep curls, tricep kickbacks, shoulder press), legs, and back by putting the band under your feet.
- Tie a bow in the band to create a small circle and you now have a new toy to put around your ankles to get those stubborn inner and outer thighs.
- I also use the smaller circle version of the band to work the seat muscles. Lifts, tones, and tightens the booty!
- The band travels great, too, and adds no weight to your luggage!
- I love to use this ball the most for Abs! Whether positioned under the back (low, mid, and upper) while laying down, or placing the ball between the thighs and squeezing it tightly while doing oblique twists, the ball helps me get deeper into the muscles and get them to fatigue quicker = less time needed in the gym! (with more results!)
- The ball can also be used behind a bent knee (down on hands and knees) to get deeply into the seat muscles and back of thigh.
- The ball is lightweight and can be deflated/inflated, making it again an easy one for travel (if you are going somewhere you can pump it back up). The only downfall to this one is when you’re using it, don’t be surprised if your kids and/or pets want to join in! 😉
3. MUSIC!!! Whatever device you prefer (ipod, phone, etc) GOOD TUNES can help take you from feeling sluggish to AMPED UP!! Music helps me turbo-charge my workouts and make every minute count! I choose songs that will B UPLIFTING and put me in a GOOD MOOD!
There you have it! My top 3!
Your turn! What makes your list of gym bag essentials?
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