Is
It in There? A Gym Bag Checklist
Getting
to the gym at least three times a week can add years to your life
while subtracting extra pounds from your weight. Quite often, the
most difficult part of any fitness routine is finding the time to
do it. You can improve your chances of doing your weekly workouts
by keeping your gym bag packed and ready.
What follows is a list of essential items--plus a few added
extras--compiled by our health editor to help you make the most of
your time at the gym--which may be the only time you have to
yourself all day!
THE
ESSENTIALS
A
pain reliever, such as aspirin or acetaminophen, for aches and
muscle soreness.
Shoe inserts, like Odor-Eaters, to
control foot odor and keep feet dry. Try a personal size
bottle of
Odor Cutter.
Antifungal foot powders (who knows what's
lurking in that damp shower stall?), like Micatin
will protect
against athlete's foot and jock itch, for the men in the house.
Deodorant (not anti-perspirant--sweating
is one way the body cools itself). Look for the
kind that go on
clear and stay that way.
A small towel to carry while working
out--why pay for one when you can bring your own?
Sweatbands to keep your hands dry if you
are lifting weights or playing a racquet sport.
A back-up pair of socks.
Back-up Lycra tights or exercise shorts
(because accidents happen). o.b. tampons®: they're discreet,
and a box of 40 takes up very little space in your bag.
A durable water bottle that won't spill or
break.
Adhesive bandages (like Band-Aids) for
that blister your new cross-trainers give you.
Weight-lifting gloves to keep you from
developing ugly calluses.
A jump rope, for those days when the line
for the elliptical trainers is too long, but you
need a quick
cardio-workout (those rope-jumping first graders only make it look
easy; you
will work up a sweat).
ADDED
EXTRAS:
Arnica montana: This homeopathic remedy
helps relieve the soreness brought on by a hard
workout.
Yoga mat, if you'd rather not roll around
in someone else's sweat.
A protein bar for après workout
refueling. Try LUNA ® bars, which are designed especially
for a woman's nutritional needs. Burt's Bees Green Goddess Bath Bar,
or a similar non-drying soap to use every time you
go to the gym.
Leave-in hair conditioner. Slather a
little on while you're in the shower, then sit in the
sauna and
let the heat help it penetrate your hair.
Light body oil, for re-hydrating your
skin. Rainbath ® Dry Oil Spray from Neutrogena
sprays on and doesn't leave an oily feel or residue.
Sunblock, especially if your workout
takes you out in the sun. Look for brands that are
waterproof and sweatproof.
Face wipes, for those days when you need
to pick the kids up from day care fifteen
minutes after your
cycling class ends.