I always come to the gym prepared. I would rather have it and not need it, then need it and not have it! So my gym bag is pretty packed with lots of essential, and a few less-than essential items that still serve a purpose.
Reebok Nano
This is a no-brainer. The best training shoe money can buy. Pretty simple!
Voodoo Floss Bands
I find wrapping these tight around my ankles and knees while warming up for squats goes a long way. I always make sure to re-roll them after using them, and slap an elastic band around them to keep them from unfurling in my bag.
Long Socks
Keep your shins from getting ripped to shreds during rope climbs by always having a pair of these handy. The thicker the better. I sometimes double-sock to make sure I’m not dealing with any unwanted abrasions.
Emergency Muscle Meals
I always keep non-perishable food in my backpack, along with some plastic forks and knives. I have a bag of nuts, a tin of tuna, electrolyte tablets and a lot of dried fruit. My schedule can be pretty hectic, so I make sure to have enough food with me, in case I can’t make it home to have a quality prepared meal.. Never leave the house without healthy food in your pack!
Wrist Watch
I have a cheap digital watch I keep in my bag. I usually use my phone as a running clock for my workouts, but it is good to have a spare in case my battery dies, or if I need to time my splits while I’m running.
White Tape
Like many CrossFit athletes, I have the habit of always taping my thumbs for hookgripping a barbell. I buy my white tape from a drug store in Kelowna and always keep a couple fresh rolls in my bag.
Resistance Bands
My coach programs a lot of banded resistance work for me, which I think has been very helpful to my progress. If I visit another gym, I often find that even the bands that look the same often have varying levels of tension. I don’t want to have my bar unevenly loaded, so I usually bring my own bands.
Ascent Protein
I always keep some Ascent Protein single serves in my bag in case I forget to pack a shaker cup before my session, or if someone else needs a scoop!
Sidekick Flux Massage Ball
I find this is a compact and effortless way to get into those hard to reach places and relieve muscle tension. Easily rechargeable but with 2.5 hrs of battery life the vibration on this ball is a game changer.
Sidekick Tool Bow
Probably my most used mobility tool. I literally use it daily before and after my training on big muscle groups like my lats, quads and hamstrings. And although it was built for two handed use, I still find it easy to use with one.
Leather Gloves
I always have a pair of leather workers gloves in my gym bag. Really useful especially when it comes to protecting your hands when handstand walking on rougher surfaces – needed when you have a small training gym.
EPIC Bars
So I have ALWAYS kept ’emergency muscle meals’ in my bag as you can see in the list above, but now that EPIC Bar’s products have moved to Canada *and they sponsor me* I keep them in my bag too! My favourite bars are the Lamb Meat Bars and the Lemon Performance Bars.