Fifty Two Shades of Shay: Inside my gym bag
Over the summer, I did two Shades of Shay that were very popular…the first one was about my fitness routine and the second one was about inside my pool bag. Today, I’m combining the two and giving you a peak inside my gym bag :).
One of my favorite parts of the day isn’t working out…it’s the peaceful 10 minutes I take for myself after I hit the gym when I take a shower and get dressed. There is something so nice about leaving the gym and heading out for the day all cleaned up and ready to go. It took me years to learn to do this (I used to just leave the gym in my sweaty clothes, run errands and eventually stay in those clothes until I showered that night).
In order to get cleaned up at the gym…you need an organized and efficient gym bag…
This is me heading to work out…and then later that same morning about to leave for the day ahead. Thanks to my organized gym bag, I never forget anything at home!
My basic gym bag…not fancy, not too big, perfect for my little life. This is exactly how it looks every day.
These are my old faithful Nikes…the new ones I ordered should be arriving any day!! I’ve had these babies 2.5 years…it was time for a fresh pair. I keep my gym shoes in my gym bag by the back door. This way on busy mornings, I can just grab my bag and head out.
I always keep a basic pair of flip flops in my gym bag. I shower in them (no one wants foot germies!) and then wear them around the locker room until I’m ready to put my real shoes on.
This is my extra pair of cotton shorts. I don’t like to workout, then take a hot shower and immediately put on jeans. I get too hot doing that. So, after I shower, I put on my normal shirt and these shorts until it’s time to leave, then I just pop these shorts back into my bag and put my jeans on.
Inside this bag, I keep all of my “gym” makeup. I have my normal/daily/favorite makeup at home and keep it there. In this bag, I keep my extra makeup for the gym. For example, when my mascara is about half empty, I put that half empty tube in my gym makeup bag and use a new tube at home. I do the same with my tinted moisturizer too. I keep two shades of lipstick and one shade of eye shadow in this bag along with one bronzer/blush combo and an eyeliner. At home, I have a wide range of makeup choices, but for the gym, I just need a few staple pieces. If I keep them all together in my gym bag all the time (instead of transferring them every day) then it saves me a ton of time and I’m never without anything.
A clear bag for finding some gym necessities like extra hair bands, my headphones, my gym watch and such.
And all of my gym toiletries go into this bag…body lotion, deodorant, dry hair spray, face wash, face lotion and a travel sized shampoo and conditioner for the rare days that I wash my hair (I usually wait and wash my hair at night and not at the gym).
I keep an extra hanger in my bag to hang anything in my locker.
And instead of soap, after I workout, I like to use a body scrub…it just makes me feel extra clean.
So, in the mornings, it’s simple…I grab what I need to wear that day plus I’ll pack a few pieces of jewelry and throw it in my gym bag. Once I get to the gym, I know I have everything I need to get dressed after working out.
Such a simple Shade of Shay…but maybe a helpful one if you’re always trying to figure out what to pack for the gym. I really think the key is having extra things and not transferring. Transferring takes a lot of time (both leaving for the gym and coming home) and it also opens up a lot of opportunities for you to forget something.
And one little bonus Valentine’s Day idea for you…
…look at this Valentine’s Day box Erika and her 4 year old daughter made! That’s from a shoe box people! If your kids need a box for their cards (or for a school Valentine’s project), head on over to Erika’s blog because she has several great examples! Actually, even if your kids don’t need anything like this, you should still go look…it’s just crazy to see how creative some people are! Click here.
Happy Tuesday everyone! Don’t forget to check out my Valentine’s Day inspired menu on my foodie blog…it includes breakfast and dinner options (plus dessert too!).
XOXO
Great tips! I think that is such a great idea to put your 1/2 empty make up items in your gym make up bag. Getting ready at the gym is such a treat, especially when you are organized!
Well, you've done the impossible. You somehow have made me want to go to the gym.
Thanks for linking up!!! 😉 You should have said, "I know someone who on average about twice a month forgets her bra or undies. She has to get creative and nobody has time for that." haha!!! GREAT ideas!!!
Is your gym bag a thirty one easy breezy tote? So cute love it, looking for a new gym bag!
I just joined a gym and was wondering this exact thing! Love the idea of "an extra" set of make-up. Going to organize my bag today. Thanks for the great ideas! Question I didn't see a towel in your bag. Does your gym provide that?
The idea of putting half used make up in there is genius! Thank you!
Great tips! Showers right after a workout are the BEST!!! 🙂
Great tips! Thanks Shay! I love those NIKES you ordered…so cute!
Too bad your working out can't rub off on me.
I've always wondered if you transferred your make up from your bag to your bathroom every day; super smart to just have two bags. What about a hair dryer? I know you've shared your hair routine before, just didn't know if your gym had them and you used their's or if you didn't worry about it.
I love the clear bag idea.. I use a large ziplock bag. Nothing fancy but it gets the job done. You're gym bag looks similar to mine!
Love all these tips! But I'm confused about not washing your hair after the gym. I've heard people don't do this but mine is always so sweaty that I would feel dirty if I didn't. Do you still get it wet and just not shampoo it or do you not get it wet at all? And does that mean you shower twice – once right after the gym and then every night too?
I air dry my hair and don't use a blow dryer…so, if I do wash it at the gym, I just pull it up into a bun towel dried. Usually though, I just pull it up and wait and wash it at night. I workout 3/4 days a week, so yes, on those days, I shower twice(because I love taking a shower before going to bed).
And yes, my gym does provide towels, so if yours does not, throw one in your bag too!
Super random question but do you go to bed with your hair wet every night? Just curious!
Also, shouldn't those sneakers be on your feet and not in your gym bag! Thanks for the tips!!
What gym classes do you usually do? Have you tried a cycling class? I did it for the first time recently and it was a great workout!
You can find out all of my workout classes when you click on the Shade of Shay: My Fitness Routine and you can find out about my hair by clicking on the Shade of Shay: Beachy Hair (look at the 52 Shades of Shay page across the top of the blog).
And yes, I put my shoes on as I'm leaving the house but I store them in my gym bag at home. This way, as I'm walking out the door, everything is together.
Where did you get your workout capris you are wearing in the gym picture? They look like the length I like. Thanks!
Love! You really are SO organized at the Gym–you always have everything, but you don't carry a huge frumpy bag!
WHere are you today?! You always post everyday – I miss your post today!
I have been meaning to put together a little cosmetic bag just to keep in my gym bag. I am ALWAYS transferring them back and forth and it is a huge waste of time. Next time I go to Target I'm stocking up!
Which gym watch do you use?
great idea on 1/2 used up makeup for the gym bag! I use the samples or freebies (ie Clinique bonus that kind of stuff) in my gym bag and travel bags.
Super cute gym bag! I don't even have a gym bag when I go because I only need to return home to my goodies.
What bag do you use for your gym bag? I'm trying to decide how big of a bag I need. I've been working out at the gym but I often stay in my workout clothes all day because I don't have the time to shower after we get home.