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What’s in Kristen’s Gym Bag?

gym bag

Well, this is embarrassing.

After checking out my other FBG’s bags (see Jenn’s, Erin’s and Tish’s), I think I might need to do a bit of streamlining. Maybe they’ll help me out at the next FBG retreat?

Anyway, I guess I’m kind of partial to the Girl Scout (or is it only Boy Scouts? I don’t know, I didn’t even make it to Brownies—there weren’t enough roller skating parties for my taste) mentality of always being prepared, so, well, I have a lot of stuff in my gym bag. Or, bags, rather—one for general workouts and another for swimming.

And here’s the kicker—I don’t even need a bag a good portion of the time because I do so many workouts at home or outdoors. So, yeah, like I said, this is embarrassing.

That being said, let’s get started! Whee!

gym bag

So, we’ve got my trusty old Mizuno bag. And I do mean old—it’s from back in my days of playing club volleyball for Michigan Mizuno, so…1994, maybe? The shoe-storage compartment is a little ripped up, but it’s a great size, has an extra compartment, and, I don’t know, I just can’t quit it, even if it’s not the prettiest bag in my closet.

From the left, I’ve got a water bottle, sunglasses (Oakley Fast Jackets, if you wondered—aren’t they cute?), a very old Garmin Forerunner, a portable light for running in the dark (or walking dogs and spotting poop), towel, inhaler (definitely need that!), music (yes, that’s the original iPod Shuffle—why replace it if it’s not broken?), Small Personal Items belt (for running or keeping my phone on me during a workout), Gu and Gatorade and stuff, brush and hairties, and sandals so that I don’t have to leave my hot and sweaty sneakers on.

Also, I try to carry The Stick with me, especially if I have a hard workout planned, because sometimes I don’t have a chance to properly foam roll, but I can almost always do a little work on my IT bands with that guy.

Then, for swimming, I carry many of the same things (inhaler, water bottle, Gu, etc.) but also need lots of other goodies—sunscreen, goggles (I always try to have two in case one breaks), ear plugs so I can actually hear after I swim, paddles, swimcap (I love to swim, but I’m not going to ruin my highlights!), a full-size towel and, of course, a variety of workouts to choose from—just swimming back and forth for an hour or so doesn’t do much for me.

Okay, it’s a lot. I readily admit it. But, seriously, I don’t know what I would take out—I don’t need every item for every workout, but I use every single thing in these pictures. Along with other things that didn’t make it into the photos, like my trusty binder filled with weight-lifting workouts. SHUT UP; it’s super helpful.

I think it’s safe to say I’m not a workout-gear minimalist, huh?

Am I crazy? What would you cut out of my collection? —Kristen

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