15 Gym Bag Essentials For Busy Moms

This post has been sponsored by Nature Valley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

It’s hectic trying to get out the door every morning, and the last thing I want to do is add another thing to my to-do list. That’s why I keep my gym bag packed and ready to go by the door so that I can just grab it on my way out. I know that everything I need for my workout is in the bag, so I don’t have to spend any extra mental energy (cuz who has any of that?!) while trying to get out of the house in the morning. Today I’m going to share my list of 15 gym bag essentials for busy moms so that you can make sure your gym bag has everything you need!

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15 Gym Bag Essentials For Busy Moms

Having your gym bag packed and ready to go will save you a ton of time in the mornings. Make sure you have these essentials in your bag at all times, and you can always grab a quick workout without worrying that you’ve forgotten something! And what’s even more convenient is that you can stock up on all these goodies (especially my new favorite Nature Valley snack options) at Walmart!

1. Sneakers

Sneakers are an obvious must! Or if your preferred workout is pilates or yoga, make sure you have a pair of studio socks.

2. Ear buds and phone

Personally, I love listening to music while I work out, so I make sure I always have a set of ear buds and my phone in my bag.

3. Reusable water bottle

Staying hydrated during and after your workout is super important! Find a great water bottle that you can easily drink from, even if you’re in the middle of a run.

4. Small first aid kit

I like to be prepared, so I have a small first aid kit in my gym bag that contains bandaids, painkillers, antibacterial ointment, muscle balm (I love this homemade muscle rub!), etc. It’s perfect for dealing with blisters, or sore muscles after a tough workout! I made a little purse organizer from a hot pad, and I use that for my first aid kit; it’s the right size to hold everything I need.

5. Wet bag

There’s nothing worse than changing out of your sweaty gym clothes after a workout and having to put them right in your gym bag. They make your whole bag stink! I carry a wet bag around in my gym bag (one of the same ones we use for cloth diapers) so that I have a place for stinky workout clothes. The stink is contained and doesn’t infect the rest of my stuff, and I can toss the entire wet bag in the laundry to get it and the contents clean.

6. Healthy snacks

I always make sure to have some good snacks in my gym bag so I can regain some energy post-workout. I love the NEW Nature Valley Layered Granola Nut Bars; they are full of protein and super delicious! My favorite is the Peanut Butter Chocolate flavor, but they also have Almond Butter Chocolate if that’s more your speed. Also be sure to check out Nature Valley’s other new product, Soft-Baked Filled Squares (again I lean toward the peanut butter filled option but they’ve got cocoa filled as well!)

The NEW Nature Valley products (and the classic favorites) are available at Walmart, along with pretty much everything else on my gym bag essentials list. If you don’t have some of the things on the list, you can make a one stop shop at Walmart and grab everything you need!

7. Hair ties

If your hair is long, make sure you have extra hair ties and headbands to keep the hair out of your face.

8. Towel

If you take a shower at the gym, it’s nice to have your own soft towel to dry off with. Even if you don’t usually shower at the gym, take a small hand towel with you to wipe away any sweat while you work out.

9. Extra pair of socks

Just in case!

10. Padlock

Having a good lock for the gym lockers is a must.

11. Lip balm

My lips always feel more chapped after a workout, so I always keep extra lip balm in my bag.

12. Feminine products

It is the worst if your period starts when you’re not expecting it, so have a few products with you just in case!

13. Face wipes

I love having some cleansing wipes in my bag. They help me feel clean and refreshed, even if I don’t have time to take a shower.

14. Toiletries

If you take a shower at the gym, make sure you have shampoo, conditioner, body wash, etc. (check out the Equate brand for affordable and quality options!) Even if you don’t normally take a shower at the gym, you might still want to have lotion, deodorant, and hand sanitizer in your gym bag.

I love using tiny travel-sized containers for my gym bag. I can just refill them every once in a while from a big bottle of lotion, shampoo, body wash, etc. and then I don’t have to take the big bottles with me to the gym.

15. Shower shoes

I always have a pair of flip flops in my gym bag for the shower, cuz that floor is just gross! Even if you don’t take a shower after the gym, it always helps to have a comfortable pair of shoes to change into after a workout.

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Disclosure: I received compensation from Nature Valley in exchange for my participation in this campaign, and my honest discussion of their products. But all opinions in this post are 100% my own. I would never write a post about something I didn’t think was useful or interesting for you guys, and Practically Functional will only publish sponsored posts for companies or products I love and believe in! 🙂