What to put in your gym bag in preparation for the gym!
A few weeks ago Femme Fitale Fit Club hosted this link up. I thought this was a great topic...so I wanted to talk about what's in my gym bag! |
| The items are numbered to match each section |
Knee Wraps
(2) When I first started working out, I was playing around with the weights and unintentionally hurt my left knee. Something's out of whack and now and when I lift anything over about 90 pounds I have to wear the wrap around my left knee. When I lift even heavier weights (anything over about 150), I wear the wraps around both knees, for safety measures. The wraps take some pressure and stress of the weights off the tissues around the knees. You kind of have to get a feel for the wraps and learning when it's time for you to wrap. You don't want to wrap too early because you're trying to strengthen your knees/legs. They can't get stronger if you're preventing them from feeling the weight! It's still best to err on the side of caution!
Lifting Belt
(3) Since my max is now over 200 pounds, the belt comes in handy. The purpose of the belt is a few things. First it takes pressure off the spine when lifting. When you wear the belt you have to fasten it so there's no slack. I tighten mine to the eighth loopholes, which is just as far as it sounds! The idea is that "if you increase the pressure in the abdomen, then you better stabilize the whole area which makes for a safer environment for the spine and can increase your ability to lift heavier weights," explains Horton. If you've ever used a belt, then you understand that sentence completely! At the moment I'm using my boyfriend's lifting belt. I was trying to hold out for a pink belt, but I've yet to find one. I'd order one but I don't particularly like online shopping, so it looks like I'm just going to have to suck it up and get a plain, ol' boring black belt! #imsuchagirl
Weight Bar Pad
(4) This is something that I've had to invest in as I started lifting heavier weights. I don't know if it's the position I hold the bar or if my back/shoulders are just not built for that type of weight, but I needed something to take the pressure off my shoulders. After squatting, my shoulders would be the sorest things on my body, not my legs. Before the pad I was putting a towel between the bar and my back, but that wasn't stable enough. So I bought the bar pad, which takes some of that pressure off and has helped me lift more weights! Safety is always key!!
Etc.
~I always bring water and I some times bring a gatorade. Gotta stay hydrated!~When I go to an actual gym, I some times use my iPod. When I'm at home, I use my computer and a Bose speaker. The acoustics in the garage are great. Some use music to get pumped up, but I actually prefer the quiet. I'm a concentrator, so I talk to myself as I'm working out. I don't rely on the music to get my hype. Some times the music distracts me...because I'm too busy dancing...lol!
~I some times drink a pre-workout, but I don't get the "desired effect" from it, so I rarely use it.
~And last but not least, I bring a towel and a washcloth. I don't like sweating, so I'm wiping away sweat as soon as it starts to form!! Again #imsuchagirl
I know it sounds like I'm tugging a lot to and from the gym, but I like to be prepared. It also helps that I work out at home the majority of the time, so things are easily accessible.
What are some things you carry in your bag that aren't in mine?!
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