Whether you visit the gym three times a week or ten, you need a few key items. Every gym goer can use a practical water bottle, a solid pair of shorts and a fitness tracker to log your activity. It’s around these essentials that we built out this list. Whether you hit the gym to run miles on the treadmill, love your indoor cycling instructor or want to lift heavy weights, the gym is a place where you can do all of that and more. These items cover all the essentials you need from head to toe.
Fitbit Charge 3
Gym lovers thrive on getting the most out of their workouts. And the Fitbit Charge 3 does that with 24/7 heart rate monitoring and personalized insights to uncover trends for guidance on health and fitness goals. The screen is touch-enabled and the whole tracker is swim-proof. With all-day activity tracking, the gym lover on your list is sure to take that next step towards their fitness goal with the Fitbit Charge 3.
Ursa Major The Exercise Freak Workout Essentials
The workout essentials include a face wash, deodorant, face balm and face wipes, all of which are TSA-approved, so your dopp kit packing is done. Each is free of sulfates, parabens, synthetic fragrance and color, instead opting for ingredients like aloe and shea butter. You’ll want these for post-gym and post-flight.
Mizu 360 M9 Everyday Kit
The stainless steel design on this Mizu water bottle is BPA free and 100 percent recyclable, so you can feel good while drinking. A wide-mouth opening makes it easy to swap out the straw for the filter and vice versa, plus adding ice to your drink is a breeze. The everyday filter blocks 99.99 percent of contaminants, catching them in the micropores before they enter your body. Plus, the silver, black and spearmint colors are sure to please everyone on your list.
Brooks Sherpa 5-Inch Shorts
Winter brings a lot of cold days and many hours of treadmill time for runners. The Brooks Sherpa shorts will help make that transition easier. The five-inch shorts come with a Dri-Layer fabric to wick away sweat, so you don’t walk out the doors of your local gym and freeze in the current temperatures. Store your cash, keys and gym card in the sweat-resistant gym pocket in the back or the side pockets.
Asics Lite-Show Winter Jacket
Sometimes the best workouts take place outside the gym. This softshell jacket keeps your internal numbers up when the temperatures start dropping below freezing. Whether it’s early morning or a late evening trip to your workout, the lite-show jacket features reflectivity in 360 degrees, so you’re sure to be seen no matter what time of day it is.
Hoka One One Cavu
This lightweight trainer will become your new go-to for running, hiking, walking around town — even sled pushes. The neutral and responsive shoe features a low profile look (compared to some of Hoka One One’s sneakers). The 8.2-ounce sneaker has a four-millimeter drop. You’re sure to feel the ground throughout each step.
Nike Dri-Fit Short Sleeve Training Top
The gym-goer can never have too many workout tees. This Dri-Fit top works year round thanks to vented side seams and a comfortable fit. They feel so good that you might want to buy them in bulk.
Art of Sport Essentials Kit With Deodorant
The essentials kit includes deodorant, hair and body wash, a body bar and sunscreen and comes in two fresh scents: Compete and Rise. While we’re partial to the Rise smell, both are formulated with ingredients to help you stay fresh and clean all day long.
Runner’s High Chill AF Plus+ Muscle Rub
This all-natural muscle rub acts like IcyHot but features hemp extract, sunflower oil, menthol crystals, essential oils of wintergreen and beeswax. After a tough gym session, rubbing this onto sore arms, legs and back muscles is a good idea. The pinon, arnica flowers and peppermint essential oil are said to be anti-inflammatory, which athletes can always use.
Headspace Membership
You’ve put in loads of hours at the gym and just aren’t seeing the gains you want. Sometimes all you need to do is put your mind to it. Headspace is a meditation app that helps you conquer whatever is on your goal to do list. Sleep better and stress less with dedicated daily meditations that range from 10 to 15 minutes. You’re guaranteed to breathe a little deeper.
Roka Transition Pack
Roka knows how to make top-of-the-line wetsuits, sunglasses and goggles that allow triathletes to focus on peak performance instead of the details. The new Transition pack is engineered to help you focus on your commute rather than what bag you’re packing to get to the gym the next day. It’s a 38-liter pack that’s water-resistant and features loads of pockets. There’s even an external helmet carry and spot for your bike pump, so there’s no excuse for not getting to the gym.
Hari Mari Dunes Flip Flops
A good pair of shower shoes will keep bacteria from creeping up off the tile floor and onto your feet. These water-friendly nylon sandals are plush to the touch thanks to a memory foam toe post and a foam insole with a firm arch. If light blue isn’t your color, try a navy, black or brown.
Vega Sport Protein Powder
Finding the perfect protein for post-workout nutrition needs can be a minefield to navigate. Sometimes ingredient labels can be tricky to read. Vega makes it simple with its chocolate plant-based vegan protein powders. Thanks to pea-protein, organic pumpkin seed protein, organic sunflower seed and alfalfa, you get 30 grams of protein per scoop. It’s easy to throw this into your smoothie, muffins or shake. And don’t worry, if you prefer vanilla, there’s a flavor for you, too.
Jaybird X4
A good pair of gym headphones can be hard to find. These Jaybird X4 in-ear headphones are sweat-proof and waterproof in case you get caught in a downpour while out on your run, plus the sound quality has improved from the previous models. Hopping on the treadmill or indoor cycling bike with these mean you never have to worry about a stray hand getting caught in the wires, causing you to pause the tread or bike to get re-situated.
Lululemon City Trek Crew Socks
If you’re looking for a sharp pair of socks that can go with you on urban commutes and keep your ankles looking good during squats and lunges, these soft and stretchy socks are ideal. The foot-specific design and seamless construction mean no chafing and some much-needed arch support for however many miles it takes for you to get into work and to the gym.
TRX Original Strong System
Some days, it’s too tricky to get to the gym. So why not bring the machines to your home? With the TRX, you can make any space a gym. Secure the straps to a tree, door frame or playground set and get to work. It packs down to the size of over-ear headphones, meaning you can throw them in your carry-on bag and never miss a day. Get ready to set your core on fire with plank holds, pikes and saw moves.
RYU Core Crew
This sweatshirt goes from the gym to the brewery thanks to its minimalist look. Throw it on over gym shorts or jeans, and you look put together. The pre-washed and broken-in feel means the cotton fleece is soft and won’t shrink. If you’re looking for a layer to wear to and from the gym as well as the one sweatshirt to pack for weekend trips, this is it.
TriggerPoint MobiPoint Textured Massage Ball
If you love the gym, you know how important recovery is to your training. TriggerPoint is the name of the game for all things mobility related, and this massage ball works to roll out any tight spots in your feet and hands. It’s just two inches by two inches by two inches, making it easy to throw in a gym bag or briefcase.
Lane Eight Trainer AD 1
When the founders of the shoe have both Adidas and Hypebeast on their resumes, you know the shoe is built to be stylish and high-performing. Lane Eight sneakers come with a full ETPU midsole (similar in appearance to the Boost technology), paired with a one-piece knit upper that’s supportive and ventilated. The TPU sidewalls help support your feet during ladders, quick feet and pivoting movements.
Adidas Numbers Edition Hat
A five-panel cap in all black with an adjustable back makes for a gym-friendly style. The reflective details shine during nighttime runs, so your noggin lights up in the darkness.