Top 10 Items I Own That Make Running at the Gym Not So Horrible

Last updated: November 4, 2023

Disclaimer: I am not a professional trainer. I work in HR. This is not weight loss training advice. I’m just telling you what I do and what works for me.

Also, as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.” which means if you click a link and purchase the item, I’ll earn some money at no additional cost to you which I’ll use to buy more cool stuff to blog about!

Before we dig into my gym bag, let me go over my routine. I mean, I’m telling you what gym gear I use so I might as well tell you when I use them.

The first thing you should know I is that I live in Northern Alabama which means I’m on Central Time (CT). The company I work for is based out of Seattle, Washington and they are on Pacific Time (PT) which is 3 hours ahead of me. While there is an office in Huntsville, my entire reporting structure is in Seattle so I work 8A-5P PT, which is my 10A-7P. I absolutely love these hours as it allows me to have all my mornings free to do whatever I want; go to the gym, get groceries, go to the dentist/chiropractor/optometrist, sleep in, walk the dogs, clean the house, etc. I’ve been working this schedule since February 2020 and can’t ever see myself going back to an 8A-5P schedule again. I log into work already so productive (or rested) for the day; doing all the things I’d be too tired to do after work. It’s awesome. That said, I aim to be at the gym between 6:30 and 7AM:

Up at 6AM (30 minutes to get ready, let dogs out, feed dogs, grab gym bag and breakfast).
10min drive to gym (eat breakfast on the way; usually fruit 🍓🫐 I prepped for the week in ziplock bags or a banana). If I’m feeling fancy, I’ll make some eggs and have some organic oatmeal before I leave.
90min stretching/treadmill
15min red light therapy
15min sauna
20min shower/dressed/skin care
10min water massage
10min drive home

This has me at the gym for about 2.5 hours and getting home a little after 9AM. I know that’s a long time but I’m going to the Virgin Islands with my mom in November for our birthdays and prefer to be quite a bit lighter for all the photos we’re going to take, plus, I just want to be healthy and feel good so I’m down with spending my mornings like this. Sometimes I skip the red light therapy and massage which will get me home closer to 8:30am so I can walk the dogs although that hasn’t been happening much given Buddy is about 16 years old now and doesn’t do well in the heat. I’m in the Deep South… it’s been in the high 90s everyday for three months now.

One day, I’ll mix things up and start exploring with weights and toning, and when that happened I’ll post all about it; but today is not that day. It’ll be a while.

While on the treadmill, I use the “5k Runner” app which I’ve used before and made it through so many levels but literally had to start over in July because I am that out of shape. After the running level is over (usually about 30-40min), I continue to walk at about 4mph until the machine forces me to stop at 99 minutes. Yep, I found out it won’t go past that so now it just feels weird if I don’t go 99min… like it’s not complete. I have to tell you; the machines at my gym have the ability to scan my Apple Watch when I get on which automatically starts my exercise in the Activity app. No more forgetting to click the little green guy to log my workout! I absolutely adore this feature.

Now the moment you’ve all been waiting for; what are my gym go-to items? Drumroll please…

1. Gym Bag

First things first, I got rid of my Adidas gym bag I’ve had since I was 16 and got this functional aesthetic one… I really like it! Plenty of room and a separate compartment to keep shoes. I put my flip flops in here to wear in the shower and on the way back home. So on the way to the gym, my flip flops are in the shoe compartment and on the way home, my sneaker are in there. This bag is waterproof, has a luggage strap, a place for water, and a internal waterproof pocket.

2. Wireless Earbuds

I started my running journey back in 2019 with Apple AirPods and I absolutely DO NOT recommend them. They have no cushion, so they’re uncomfortable and they have a tendency to fall out.

In 2020, I upgraded to these Powerbeats which are perfect. Longer battery life, super comfortable, and seriously won’t fall out of your ear.

Last month, I upgraded to the Beats Fit Pro. Keep in mind my Powerbeats still work like the day I bought them, so this was truly an unnecessary buy. But… the Fit Pros were lower profile, noise cancelling, and those neutral colors were enough to sweet talk me into splurging (I got Moon). If these aren’t your thing and you’re looking for fantastic earbuds that won’t budge during even the most extreme workout, get the Powerbeats. I cannot recommend them enough.

3. Front-zip Sports Bra

This sports bra is the best I’ve ever owned… I used to have a Knockout Victoria Secret (VS) which was my first introduction to a front-zip. I truly liked it but they don’t make it anymore and it was just time for that thing to go. So, I got a few of these and I’ll be good for another couple years. They are incredibly comfortable (more so than the VS one). I’m a fan of a front snap and zip when it comes to sports bras, so if that’s not your thing, you won’t like these. I can’t image why anyone would want to pull one over their head while they’re all sweaty after working out, but you do you. These are the only sports bras I own. They’re great for hiking too.

4. Running Shoes & Insoles

When I first started running, I had $20 Target sneakers and quickly found out that plantar fasciitis is no joke. I discovered that if you’re going to run, you have to actually have shoes that are made for it AND have a great insole. Brookes were recommended to me by the local athletic store and they performed better than I could have imagined. I’m now on my second pair, the Levitate Running Shoe. Full transparency: I have the Levitate 3 but they’re on 6 now and don’t make the specific ones I have so I’ve linked you the 6.

Sof Sole Athletic insoles were recommended at the same time as the Brooks. I use them together and they are perfect. Investing in these two items saved my feet and I’ve never had an issue since. Thanks random guy at Hibbett Sports!

5. Toiletry Bag

This toiletry bag keeps all my shower and skin care items organized and easy to find. It doesn’t take up a lot of room in the gym bag and it comes in different colors.

6. Running Socks

These Balega Blister Resist socks, along with these Balega Ultraglide socks are now the only socks I will wear. I discovered them in 2019 and they are hands down the absolute best running sock. I’ve slowly increased my inventory and now own about 8 pair. I absolutely love how thick they are and the way they hug my feet.

7. Athletic Underwear

Listen to me when I say you seriously need some undies that are made for the gym. The biggest benefit is sweat wicking. Believe me, you’ll be so grateful for them. I like the New Balance and Reebok.

7. Travel Fan

Ok, here’s where you’re going to laugh, but I am dripping sweat when I’m running on the treadmill. So, I got this fan that hooks to the treadmill to keep me cooler and I really love it! Yep, I’m that weird girl that brings her own fan to the gym. Its usb chargeable and it goes the whole 90 minutes I’m on the treadmill. It’s compact and fits in the gym bag just fine. This post is about what I have that helps me not hate running. This is one of those items.

8. Silicone Loofa

A few months ago, I shared all the deets on why I prefer silicone everything. This silicone body scrubber is compact so it fits in the toiletry bag perfectly, plus it dries quickly… a lot faster than a traditional loofa! Perfect for my speedy showers after I get out of the sauna.

9. Gym Towel

Speaking of shower, I used to take a terry cloth bath towel to the gym but have since upgraded to this compact towel to avoid it taking up so much space in my gym bag. I am IMPRESSED! It dries my body just as well as a terry cloth but takes up like 10% of the space and dries so much faster. I got the XL and it’s comes about mid-thigh on me. I wear it in the sauna so it’s decent enough. If you’re just going to use it to dry off after a shower and not wear it in front of strangers at the gym, you could probably get away with a smaller one.

10. Silicone Face Brush

I take my skincare game pretty seriously so I keep this facial cleaning brush in my gym bag. I have a more luxurious one at home, but I kept forgetting it because I would take it out of my gym bag to use at night so now this one is dedicated to my gym bag.

And there you have it! I have come a long way from the girl with Target sneakers, a tired Adidas gym bag, and cotton underwear. 😂

Bonus: My Playlist

Below you’ll find 25 songs that I’ve recently downloaded and have been playing while on (and off) the treadmill. Note: I don’t really listen to what’s considered typical gym music. I listen to music that improves my mood, makes me want to dance, is fun to sing, and has intriguing/relatable lyrics. Heck, I’ve been known to dance while on the elliptical. That said, no judging please:

Lil Boo Thang, Paul Russell (this has been on repeat since it dropped two days ago). It’s a remake of the 1970s song, Best of my Love by The Emotions. A snippet of this song was released in June and I’ve been following it ever since, waiting for the whole song to come out. I’ve been dancing in the car, in the house, and through the stores for the past two days listening to this catchy thang (pun intended).
2002, Anna Marie
A LOT, John K
It Feels Good To Be Me, Andy Grammer (you know I’m going to have at least one of his songs)
Celebrate, Ingrid Michaelson
Good Day, DNCE
Thinkin Bout You, Ciara
Love Me, Justin Bieber (I obviously have a thing for old songs that are revamped)
Delorean, Walker Hayes
Living My Best Life, Ben Rector
Sunday, Ben Rector
What a Night, Flo Rida (again, a revamped oldie)
Lucky, Meaghan Trainer
Drama Queen, Meaghan Trainer
Good in Me, Andy Grammer
Good Company, Andy Grammer
Fine, Kyle Hume
Red Flag, Kyle Hume
Happy, Kyle Hume
Can’t Break Up, Andi
Everything, Austin Brown 😍
Last Name, Noah Schnacky
Self Love, Avery Anna
Thank God, Kane Brown & Katelyn Brown
Co-Pilot, Andy Grammer

Some are better for warm up/cool off, but most are great for running (for me anyway).

So tell me, what are your must have gym items? What is your go-to song for working out?