Must-haves for your workout bag

A new year brings new people to our centres, if you’re one of them, welcome!

There’s a lot of information out there on how to plan your fitness routine, what goals to set, even what to eat, but there’s not much on what to bring with you if you’re a beginner. Whenever you go, you need to have some must-haves you that makes working out that little bit easier.

What to pack will differ from person to person, but the following items are popular on our list!

It’s normal to not know how to feel prepared, that’s why we’re here to help. Everybody starts somewhere!

Water

Drinking enough water during and after a workout has a range of benefits. You need to keep hydrated while you exercise to replace the fluids you lose when you sweat. This will help to maintain normal body temperature, reduce the risk of cramps, and help your muscles recover. Read more about staying hydrated here.

Appropriate activewear

As a general rule of thumb, breathable, light, and stretchy materials are the way to go. Working out in clothes that don’t allow for a good range of movement will only prevent you from exercising properly. This goes for footwear too, makes sure your shoes are comfortable and cover your feet (no flip-flops!). Depending on your routine and what exercises you’re doing, this can of course change from day to day.

Activity-specific items

Some exercises require certain equipment, such as resistance bands for a strength workout or a mat if you’re working on your flexibility, which you should be able to find at our centres. If you’re unsure where to find a piece of equipment or what to use, a member of our team will be happy to help you. If you’re using one of our gyms, consider listening to some music before and during your workout, it’s been shown to boost motivation and effort!

Padlock or £1 coin

We have lockers at our centres that you can use to store your belongings. Some need a padlock to secure your items, whereas other lockers require a £1 coin. Coin fobs are also available to buy from reception. A member of the team at your chosen centre will be happy to advise you on what the lockers at the centre require and if you need to purchase a padlock, can point you in the right direction in doing so.

A fitness app

Whether you’re a beginner or an athlete, fitness apps are useful for everybody in setting, tracking, and achieving goals. Our very own Places Tracker app can come in handy for this, it brings fitness wherever you are! Ready to use for fitness tracking, you can use it to book your classes ahead of time, track your progress, and access hundreds of virtual workouts. You can also pair it with other apps, like Strava, and wearable fitness devices, such as SWIMTAG.

A swim hat

If you have long hair and you’re taking a dip in the pool, make sure you bring a swimming hat to keep your hair away from your face. Keeping hair out of the pool also helps to ensure the water stays hair-free and hygienic.  Click here to read more of our swim hygiene tips.

A post-workout snack

Consuming quality nutrients, especially after a workout, is important to ensure you feel good and energised for the rest of the day. We recommend prioritising something which is rich in protein and carbohydrates to speed muscle repair and restore glycogen (our main energy source), then top this off with a good amount of water to rehydrate and replenish electrolytes.

A towel

Whether you’re attending one of our classes or going to the gym, it can be helpful to bring a small towel to wipe away any sweat. You’ll also need a shower towel once you shower after exercising or swimming!

The items above are just a guideline, it’s important to bring what you think will be most beneficial to you and the activity you’re doing. If they help you maximise your performance, get a great workout in, and make your goals that little bit more attainable, don’t forget them!

Sources: Water, drinks, and hydration (NHS) | Why is it Important to Drink Water During Exercise? (Brita) | The Influence of Music Preference on Exercise Responses and Performance: A Review (National Library of Medicine) | Protein and exercise (British Heart Foundation)