March 30, 2011

The Minimal Gym Bag


I am in the process of culling my rather large gym bag down to a more manageable system. For years, I've been dragging around a large L.L. Bean bag that is rarely full of gym items. The half-empty bag then takes up most of the room in my very small gym locker and I end up always trying to shove it in. So, I am getting rid of the bag and scrutinizing what I need at the gym.

I do several gym "sports" including running, walking, stairmaster, aerobics, Zumba, yoga and swimming. I've realized that I only need one set of gym clothes for everything and just a swimsuit, cap and goggles for swimming laps. So my gym "system" now consists of:

  • running shoes
  • one pair of socks
  • a sports bra
  • tank top
  • yoga pants
  • swimsuit
  • cap + goggles

There is nothing extra like another pair of socks, a hoodie or various t-shirts.

The toiletry portion of the gym bag has also gotten minimized. The bottom of my bag was always littered with half-empty shampoo bottles, hair clips, combs and dried up bars of soap. Now I have:

  • olive oil soap for both body + hair
  • conditioner
  • lotion

With just the addition of a small, easy to dry towel and some flip-flops, I am on my way to a more minimal gym locker, all carried home in a slim tote bag when it's time to do some laundry.

Photo courtesy of [mikecpeck/Flickr]