Items to keep in yout gym bag...

7 Gym Bag Necessities

When you pack your gym bag before a workout, there are a few necessities you can't do without, like your sports bra and your sneaks. Here are some other items you should consider stowing in your gym bag to make your post-workout life better.

Facial Towelettes

If you don't have time after exercising to shower or even wash your face, these convenient Blum Naturals Daily Towelettes ($7) are perfect. They're alcohol-free, made with tea tree oil to prevent breakouts, and contain no synthetic fragrances, preservatives, or parabens.

Laundry Bag

When you're done with your workout, you don't want your dirty, sweaty clothes to mingle with everything else, so keep a laundry bag in your gym bag. This one from August Moon Organics ($29) is made from organic cotton, so you can wash it with your workout clothes.

Gym Membership Holder

Depending on your gym or studio, you probably have some sort of ID card that you have to show every time you go. Keep it in a little pouch like this one from Vera Bradley ($5), and you can also keep money, tampons, and your jewelery safe while working out.

Flip Flops

If you shower at your gym, that means tons of other people do too. In order to prevent catching athlete's foot or some other nasty bug, wear flip-flops in the shower. These from The North Face are on sale for $9.93! Pack a clean towel too, unless your gym provides one.

BPA-Free Water Bottle

Many people carry a water bottle around wherever they go, but knowing me, I'd leave mine at work when I headed to the gym. So I always keep a bottle in my gym bag to use while working out. Choose a BPA-free one from Sigg, Klean Kanteen, Nalgene, or Intak. Not only will you stay hydrated and save money on bottled water, but you'll be doing the planet good, too!

Snacks

Whether you need a pre- or post-workout pick-me-up, you've got to keep snacks in your gym bag. Try snacks that can stay in your bag since they need no refrigeration, such as fruit and nut bars like Larabars or Kind bars, or bags of trail mix. Bags of whole grain crackers are a good idea too, or if you remember, you can pack fresh fruit right before you head out the door (just don't forget it's in there!).

Deodorant

I keep an extra deodorant in my gym bag in case I want to reapply before a workout. If you don't want aluminum in yours, I like Adidas Cotton Tech deodorant.