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A Peek In My Gym Bag

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Gym Bag essentials|FridayFive|Gym|exercise

What a fun theme for this week’s Friday Five link up with Cynthia, Mar & Courtney! This one forced me to dump out my bag and clean it out. I am now packed and ready for this morning’s workouts.

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  • So what’s in my Gym Bag??
  • What’s in your gym bag? Do you put conditioner in your hair before swimming?

So what’s in my Gym Bag??

-First I’m headed to spin class with my shoes and heart rate monitor. I don’t typically run with a HR monitor but I love to use it in spin and seeing the number on the bike helps me to “kick it into high gear”.

-I always have some MRTT business cards on me and I’ve been known to recruit people on the bike next to me. The half zip goes on after class as well.

-Afterwards, I am jumping into the pool to do some tri training. Yup I’ve signed up to do the Reston Sprint at the end of May so that forces me to do some great cross training. I always put conditioner into my hair before putting on the swim cap. Supposedly, this saves your hair from the chlorine.

-I always have some snacks in my bag (almonds and Cliff bars today). I am always starving after swimming. Well actually, I am always starving.

–Lip gloss in a few different colors is always in my bag. Bobbi Brown and Mac are my favorites. I like to be prepared for any gym selfies 🙂

What’s in your gym bag? Take a peek into mine #FridayFive

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-I love this gym combination lock. Instead of having to remember another number, you can set your own word as a code. Plus it’s pink-win win. They come in a few colors if you want to check it out. (affiliate link)

Oops! That may have been the Friday 6 this week!

What’s in your gym bag? Do you put conditioner in your hair before swimming?

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About Deborah Brooks

Hi I'm Deborah! I spend my days successfully raising a husband & 2 teens in the VA/DC area. I am a lover of all things running & fitness. As a life long vegetarian, I've always been passionate about healthy living & exercise. Looking for partners in crime, I started my own chapter of Moms Run This Town (MRTT) which has grown to over 700 members. I've met so many amazing women who inspire me daily to keep moving forward. You can usually find me running with my crew and training for the next crazy adventure they talked me into. I love to keep up to date on new running & fitness trends. I definitely choose my running gear based on color and love to express my fashion sense while exercising.

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Comments

  1. Pam and Christine says

    01/16/2015 at 8:00 am

    I actually wrote about putting conditioner on your hair prior to swimming as part of my Friday gym bag post! Great idea to recruit other mom’s while working out at the gym and bringing business cards is smart!

    • Deborah Brooks says

      01/16/2015 at 1:36 pm

      Great minds think alike huh? Here’s to great hair too-Happy Friday

  2. Annmarie says

    01/16/2015 at 8:34 am

    Haha- I am always starving too! When I do pack bars for “on the go” I always end up eating them in 5 minutes 😛

    • Deborah Brooks says

      01/16/2015 at 1:38 pm

      Me too! Swimming makes me really hungry

  3. Julie @ Running in a Skirt says

    01/16/2015 at 8:39 am

    I always have almonds and a few bars in my purse or bag too. I always need an emergency snack!

    • Deborah Brooks says

      01/16/2015 at 1:39 pm

      Me too! I am always hungry.

  4. Salt says

    01/16/2015 at 8:47 am

    That is such a great idea to keep MRTT biz cards on you! I should have some made up! (I work at a printer.) There are lots of women at my gym that I could hand them out to!

    • Deborah Brooks says

      01/16/2015 at 1:40 pm

      Yes absolutely! I’ve been known to run up to people and convince them they have to join us. Usually it works. Sometimes they just think I am crazy

  5. HoHo Runs says

    01/16/2015 at 8:59 am

    I love the tip about putting conditioner on your hair. I’ve never heard this. I’m in the pool all summer!

    • Deborah Brooks says

      01/16/2015 at 1:41 pm

      Really?! You have to do it. It really helps keep the chemicals out of your hair.

  6. John @ run. geek. run(disney) says

    01/16/2015 at 9:06 am

    Important to make sure you have good healthy snacks in the bag. I don’t always remember that in the morning going to the gym unfortunately. As I go more regularly, should get in a better routine.

    Very cool about the Reston Sprint. I actually am signed up for my first tri, a sprint as well, just out 66 a little further. Put on by Bristow Tri and Swim who has done a bunch of 5Ks I like. It’s the weekend before the Reston Sprint, though for pretty cheap. http://www.bristowtriandswim.com/Salute_To_The_Military.html

    • Deborah Brooks says

      01/16/2015 at 1:42 pm

      I may look into that one too! Now that I am back doing them I am excited about it. I may look at the Quantico tri in August too.

      • John @ run. geek. run(disney) says

        01/16/2015 at 9:11 pm

        I’m excited for my first. Interested to see how I like it to see if its something I continue often. I have a feeling I might like it.

        • Deborah Brooks says

          01/16/2015 at 10:29 pm

          I thought they were pretty addictive when I first started doing them. Time consuming but addictive

  7. Jennifer @ Running on Lentils says

    01/16/2015 at 9:33 am

    Very cool that you’ll be doing a tri! Sounds like you have a good system for cross training at the gym.

    • Deborah Brooks says

      01/16/2015 at 1:43 pm

      Working very hard on that right now as I can’t run as much yet.

  8. Lisa @ Lisa Runs for Cupcakes says

    01/16/2015 at 9:42 am

    I always try to have some sort of snack in my gym bag. I always seem to lose track of the end of my work day and find that I am starving right before I hit the gym.

    • Deborah Brooks says

      01/16/2015 at 1:44 pm

      Ha me too and then I did around and discover something! That’s the best

  9. Chaitali says

    01/16/2015 at 9:54 am

    I’d never heard about the conditioner thing. Thanks for the tip!

    • Deborah Brooks says

      01/16/2015 at 1:47 pm

      Oh it’s a life saver trust me! Your hair will thank you

  10. Haley @ Running with diapers says

    01/16/2015 at 10:25 am

    I really need to make up some business cards for my chapter of MRTT. Thanks for sharing that Deborah.

    • Deborah Brooks says

      01/16/2015 at 1:49 pm

      Vistaprint has great deals and sometimes they are on groupon too. That’s where we do it. I use them a lot.

  11. Tara @ Running 'N' Reading says

    01/16/2015 at 10:25 am

    Deborah, you’re carrying around a lot, but you make it look so easy. 🙂 I love those small, 100 calorie snack bags of almonds; they are so convenient. I always have a Picky Bar handy (my favorite), just in case. I’d not heard about the conditioner trick until today; I have very short hair now, but I’ll definitely remember this for future reference. Thanks so much for a great post and I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

    • Deborah Brooks says

      01/16/2015 at 1:54 pm

      I do carry a lot! Even if you have short hair it really helps to keep the chlorine out. Have a great day too!

  12. Mary Beth Jackson says

    01/16/2015 at 10:52 am

    Funny I wrote about the same thing & I didn’t know about the link up! I have a tendency to use a lot of leave in conditioner- all the sunshine is hard on the hair color!!!

    • Deborah Brooks says

      01/16/2015 at 1:55 pm

      yes for sure although I’d love to borrow some of your sunshine this week. Have a great weekend!

  13. Lacey@fairytalesandfitness says

    01/16/2015 at 10:59 am

    You can never have too many lip glosses/chap sticks in your bag. I have several in each bag I carry.

  14. Lauren @ ihadabiglunch says

    01/16/2015 at 11:07 am

    Snacks are always necessary to have on hand, no matter which bag I’m grabbing 😉

  15. Susie @ SuzLyfe says

    01/16/2015 at 11:13 am

    I used to use this masterful hair conditioner before swimming called Swim Cap. I would highly recommend it!

    • Deborah Brooks says

      01/16/2015 at 2:48 pm

      Thanks! I will check it out. Any excuse to head over to Amazon right?

  16. Janelle @ Run With No Regrets says

    01/16/2015 at 11:51 am

    Thanks for the peek! Love the business cards! And I like that combination lock. When I belonged to an actual gym it was a must!

    • Deborah Brooks says

      01/16/2015 at 2:51 pm

      The business cards are great-you never know when you might meet a fellow runner who is dying to join you. People probably think I am crazy.

  17. Nicole @ Fitful Focus says

    01/16/2015 at 12:25 pm

    Your gym bag is so well rounded :). I need to start keeping snacks on hand. I always get hungry after the gym!

    • Deborah Brooks says

      01/16/2015 at 2:53 pm

      Today my bag was just overflowing with the spin and swim combo. I alwaYs have snacks and I might share. 🙂

  18. Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says

    01/16/2015 at 1:56 pm

    that lock is awesome – so smart!

    • Deborah Brooks says

      01/16/2015 at 2:55 pm

      It’s way easier to remember a word right?! Thanks for the link up always fun

  19. Daisy @ Fit Wanderlust Runner says

    01/16/2015 at 2:11 pm

    I used to put snacks in my bag especially when I was training for my triathlon but then I would eat them all and forget to replace them. haha!

    • Deborah Brooks says

      01/16/2015 at 2:55 pm

      Well yea there’s that of course 🙂

  20. Natalie says

    01/16/2015 at 2:38 pm

    I have the same Bobbi Brown lip gloss – LOVE.
    Okay, I have to start putting conditioner in my hair for swimming!!

    Have a great weekend 🙂

    • Deborah Brooks says

      01/16/2015 at 2:56 pm

      I love the bobbi brown lip gloss! Yes you have to put conditioner in its a must. Your hair will thank you

  21. Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl says

    01/16/2015 at 3:02 pm

    I love how you have cliff bars in your bag as a snack. They’re so yummy and good for you. I love the white macadamia ones.

    • Deborah Brooks says

      01/16/2015 at 3:17 pm

      I haven’t had that one. I love the holiday flavors pumpkin spice and gingerbread are my faves.

  22. Diatta @ Femme Fitale Fit Club says

    01/16/2015 at 3:23 pm

    This is so funny- I just did a video about the same topic! Great minds think alike. I don’t carry make up in my gym bag. I always end up looking like a bum before and after workouts. LOL.

    • Deborah Brooks says

      01/16/2015 at 7:17 pm

      I did see your video too! Always a fun post to do

  23. Renee @ Bendiful Blog says

    01/16/2015 at 3:46 pm

    YES for swimming! I am all about getting people into the pool. Swimmer for LIFE right here. I don’t put conditioner in my hair before swimming but I know people who do. This is a fun post! My bag is full of papers, workouts, about 3 water bottles and 2 pairs of shoes. 🙂

    • Deborah Brooks says

      01/16/2015 at 7:19 pm

      I know! I found tons of crazy stuff in my bag so I cleaned it out before the pic. Yes I am enjoying swimming again just wish it wasn’t bc I was injured.

  24. Jess@Flying Feet in Faith says

    01/16/2015 at 4:19 pm

    I don’t swim much but conditioner sounds smart! Awesome that you’re going for a Tri!! I don’t think that’s one thing I’ll ever go for. I need to remember snacks for my bag…I’m always hungry too 😉 have a great weekend!!

    • Deborah Brooks says

      01/16/2015 at 7:22 pm

      Never say never! You might feel the call or peer pressure from a friend 🙂

  25. Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home says

    01/16/2015 at 7:00 pm

    Haha, I had a #FridayEight! Too many fun things..

    If I lived by you, you could totally recruit me for MRTT!

    • Deborah Brooks says

      01/16/2015 at 7:25 pm

      And we would totally take you in!! You should start a chapter

  26. Coco says

    01/16/2015 at 9:59 pm

    I’ve been thinking about getting a Polar HRM for spinning, especially since my VivoSmart doesn’t give me any credit for all that work!

    • Deborah Brooks says

      01/16/2015 at 10:31 pm

      That’s the problem with all the monitors. None do everything do they? I like the HRM for spinning bc the bike has a display. It makes me work harder when I look down at the number.

  27. Smitha @ Running with SD Mom says

    01/17/2015 at 7:56 am

    Oh My goodness! Yes! On gym selfies? You never know when the inspiration will strike! And I am always hungry too. This marathon training has increased my Appetite 10 fold!

    • Deborah Brooks says

      01/17/2015 at 9:53 am

      I bet! I am always hungry too!

  28. Kelli says

    01/17/2015 at 8:35 am

    I have two gym bags! One for swimming with a few different caps and goggles and defogger and my TriSwim post-swim shampoo and conditioner. I never found pre-conditioning to make a difference so I generally don’t take the time. I do wet my hair so the latex cap goes on easier – seemed to be more likely to break strands sliding over dry and static-y hair. Then the deck bag has finis agility paddles, a pull buoy and fins.

    My other gym bag is a smaller one I tote to work (it fits through our security turnstile). Just basic toiletries, running shoes, shower shoes, headphones. Most of my workouts are done at home on my bike trainer or with my various strength training implements.

    • Deborah Brooks says

      01/17/2015 at 9:59 am

      There is so so much gear involved in tri training! It’s been a few years so I forgot how gear intensive it is. I am hoping the pre conditioning will save the color in my hair.

  29. Mar @ Mar on the Run says

    01/17/2015 at 11:19 am

    haha, I LOVE that you keep business cards on you at the gym!

    • Deborah Brooks says

      01/18/2015 at 1:21 pm

      Well you never know when you can recruit people right?!

  30. Debbie @ Deb Runs says

    01/17/2015 at 12:36 pm

    I love your white MRTT half-zip! Yep, I’ve got lip gloss in my bag, and cracked up at your comment about always being ready for post-workout selfies. So true! 🙂

  31. Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes says

    01/17/2015 at 3:46 pm

    Haha, why am I not surprised by the lip gloss ( but in a good way of course). I love that you hand out MRTT cards!

    • Deborah Brooks says

      01/18/2015 at 1:22 pm

      LOL you never know when those selfie moments pop up! We’ve recruited a ton of moms from the gym so cards are good.

  32. Wendy@BlushandBarbells says

    01/18/2015 at 1:52 pm

    I need that lock! It’s a genius idea!

    • Deborah Brooks says

      01/18/2015 at 6:20 pm

      love it! So much easier than remembering another random number.

  33. Angela @ Happy Fit Mama says

    01/18/2015 at 4:11 pm

    I like the gym combination that uses words. I need one of those for my bike!

    • Deborah Brooks says

      01/18/2015 at 6:55 pm

      Great idea! I bet they have a bike one too!

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Successfully raising a husband & 2 young adults in the VA/DC area. I am a lover of all things running & fitness. NASM Certified Nutrition Coach & RRCA Run Coach. As a lifelong vegetarian/pescatarian I’ve always been passionate about healthy living & exercise. Looking for partners in crime, I started my own chapter of Moms Run This Town (MRTT) which has grown to over 800 members. I’ve met so many amazing women who inspire me daily to keep moving forward. You can usually find me running with my crew and training for the next crazy adventure they talked me into.
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