6 Things in Our Gym Bag This Month

Spring is the perfect time to do a little cleaning. From your garage to your closet to your…gym bag? 

Yeah, it’s definitely time to clean your gym bag. I’ve seen a lot of gym bags and maybe you’re an anomaly, but most of the bags I’ve had the (dis)pleasure of digging through have a few protein bars from 2019, three pairs of earphones with one ear broken, and a layer of preworkout dust covering it all. 

Even if you’re not a dirty gym bag owner, a little spring clean never hurt anyone. 

So now that you’ve got that cleaning bug, go clean your gym bag, and then fill it back up with these 10 things that HOS staff is stashing in our bags this month. 

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1. Glutamine

With summer right around the corner, many gym-goers are beginning the “summer cut,” myself included. But with reduced caloric intake comes the possibility of muscle loss, and nobody wants that, so glutamine is an essential to keep around for post-workout consumption. 

Our favorites: BCAA Glutamine from Transparent Labs and Body Fortress Pure Glutamine Powder

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2. BCAAs

Glutamine is great for post-workout, but BCAAs are essential for before. With less calories and energy in the tank, BCAAs are a favorite for helping provide a little pre-workout boost so you can keep gaining lean muscle mass all spring and summer long. 

Our favorites: Ghost BCAA and Thorne Amino Complex 

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3. CLAs 

CLA, or conjugated linoleic acid, is an essential fatty acid that’s been shown to help reduce body fat, boost immune function, and improve lean body mass. 

While the jury is still out on how effective CLA supplements really are, I personally find them to be incredibly helpful when trying to shed those last few pounds for summer. 

Our favorites: Sports Research Vegas CLA 1250 and Evlution Nutrition LeanBCAA 

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4. High protein snacks

No matter the season, every gym bag should always contain a few emergency snacks. Whether you just didn’t eat enough that day and need a little mid-workout pick-me-up or absolutely cannot make it home for dinner without eating your arm off, keeping something like beef jerky or a protein bar handy is a life saver. 

Our favorites: Wicked Cutz Beef Jerky and Atlas Protein Bars

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5. A giant water bottle 

Spring means heat, and rising temperatures mean you’re likely going to be losing more water in the form of sweat. Make sure you’re staying hydrated before, during and after your workouts with ample amounts of water. 

Our favorites: Hydrojug Half Gallon Water Bottle and Yeti 64oz Rambler 

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6. Headphones or earbuds

I don’t know about you, but I find it nearly impossible to have a good workout without good music. If you’re in the market for new earbuds, I recommend choosing something wireless, waterproof and durable for the best in-gym experience. 

Our favorites: Skullcandy Push Active and Beats Fit Pro

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