In this guide
Here is what to pack in a sports kit bag, whether you’re hitting the gym or meeting some friends for a pick-up game: nine items to keep ready.
Plan for your physical activities in advance by keeping a sports kit with essential items in your car or by your front door ready to go. This saves you time and makes it easier for you to fit exercise into your daily routine.
- Activewear and sneakers
- A water bottle
- Healthy snacks
- Workout towels
- Personal hygiene items
- A water-resistant blanket
- Sunscreen
- A massage ball
- A first aid kit
1. Activewear
Stay prepared for engaging in physical activity at any time by keeping an extra pair of workout clothes or athletic shorts and a t-shirt in your sports kit bag. And don’t forget to include a pair of sneakers, whatever is most appropriate for your favorite activity. You never know when you might find time to squeeze in a workout or decide to take a run after work.
If you live by the beach or your gym has a pool, you should also keep a swimsuit on hand. Swimming is great exercise on its own and a quick dip can be refreshing post-workout.
2. Water Bottle
Stay hydrated when you work out. Keep an empty water bottle in your sports kit bag, so you only have to fill it.
Look for a water bottle with a handle so that it’s easy to carry as you move around outdoors or throughout the gym. Also, select a bottle with a wide-mouth, easy-to-open top for easy drinking.
3. Healthy Snacks
Pack a healthy snack to eat after you exercise.
Post-workout you’ll want to munch on something that contains both proteins and carbohydrates. And you’ll need some snacks that are easy to toss in your gym bags.
Energy bars are an easy go-to snack to bring with you. Also consider raw nuts and trail mix, fresh fruits such as bananas, peanut butter sandwiches, cheese sticks, and jerky. And throw in a packaged protein drink.
4. Workout Towels
Whether you’re working out at the gym or outdoors, you’re going to perspire. Keep workout towels on hand to sop up the sweat.
Microfiber towels are an excellent accessory for any active individual. Our own travel towel is 48 x 24 in (120 x 60 cm), and the set weighs 7.4 oz (0.21 kg) with its face cloth, carry bag and carabiner.
After every session, take the towel out of the bag and hang it up: here is how to keep a travel towel from smelling musty.
5. Personal Hygiene Items
After a good workout, you’ll want to clean up a bit. So, you should keep some personal hygiene items in your sports kit.
Deodorant is a must after a sweaty workout. If you’re at the gym and have access to a shower, you’ll want to bring shampoo, conditioner, and body and face wash with you.
If you’re at the beach or a park, dry shampoo and body wipes can provide a quick cleansing.
Other useful items include a hairbrush or comb, and antifungal spray.
6. Water-Resistant Blanket
When you’re outdoors, a water-resistant blanket is an excellent addition to your sports kit.
Need a stretch after a match or a run? Need a space to set your belongings while swimming in the ocean or out on the field? Lay out your blanket as a protective ground cover.
Our own Pocket Blanket opens to 55 x 60 in (140 x 152 cm) and folds into a pouch of 4.5 x 3.5 in (11.5 x 9 cm).
7. Sunscreen
If you’re active while outdoors, you’ll want to use sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays. Keep a small tube in your sports kit for sunny days.
This will come in handy whether you’re on the beach enjoying the ocean, out for a run, or playing some sports with friends in the park.
8. Massage Ball
Carry a small massage ball in your sports kit to use after any physical activity.
A massage ball is small enough to ride in a side pocket of your bag.
Depending on the size of your gym bag, consider also adding a small foam roller to your arsenal of workout supplies. A foam roller takes more room, so check that it fits before it goes in.
9. First Aid Kit
Whether you’re on the field or at the gym, there are essential first aid items you should keep in your sports kit in case of an emergency.
You’ve probably seen professional athletes taping up ankles or wrists before a game or competition. Athletic or strapping tape is used to apply pressure to your muscles and bones, so they keep a specific position during your activity. Meanwhile, electrical tape comes in handy when keeping your sports or workout equipment together.
Other basic first aid kit items include bandages, gauze pads, scissors, gloves, antiseptic wipes and solution, tweezers, and elastic wraps. Go the extra mile by adding hot and cold packs that utilize chemical reactions to warm up or cool down, pain relievers, and any prescription medication you might take. It’s important to be ready for anything.
Keep Your Sports Kit Bag Ready
Pack these nine items once and restock what you use. Then the bag is ready whenever you are, at the beach, in the park or at the gym.
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