Whether you are a casual gym goer or a high level CrossFit athlete, there are a few essentials I recommend you have on you, to make your experience more personalized and smoother.

1. Gym Bag – Having the right gym bag can make your life so much easier when travelling or even in your daily gym life. There is no gold standard for gym bags, it all comes down to your personal preference. Things to consider when buying a bag for yourself; number of storage compartments/pockets, style of bag (side saddle, backpack, drawstring etc), size, material it is made of, and and other specific things you would like your bag to have (i.e. drink bottle holder).
   
   
2. Tape – Tape can be used for many reasons when training, such as; covering skin tears, protecting skin from abrasions, taping other surfaces to provide grip etc. There are many different types of tape used for many different reasons. Finding the best one for you is important as it can increase your performance and make your training experience a lot more comfortable.
   
   
3. Drink Bottle – Hydration is key. Just having a bottle on you at all times means you are more likely to drink and reminds you to drink water throughout the day and training. It is especially key if you are competing or are a high level athlete as excessive amounts of water will be lost and needs to be replenished.
   
   
4. Protective Equipment (grips, knee sleeves, belts, wrist wraps) – If you use any sort of protective equipment it is a good idea to keep it in your bag at all times, just in case you are going to need it. It is always better to have and not need, than to need and not have.
   
   
   
   
   
5. Skipping Rope – It is always good to have a custom skipping rope that is measured to your size and comfortability – especially if you’re dropping into a new gym, they might not have a rope that is suitable for you.
   
   
6. Small First Aid Kit – Bumps, bruises, cuts, and abrasions are very common in all sports so it is always good to be prepared for when something happens. Plasters, baby wipes, gauze, pawpaw, scissors, balms etc are all key first aid essentials.
   
   
7. Change of Clothes – It is inevitable that at some point in your workout you will get sweaty. Having a change of clothes  means that you can get out of those clothes and into something fresh –  whether you have to go somewhere after training or have a mishap with something you are wearing, then you have a spare pair to change into.
   
   
8. Snacks – Fuel is necessary for us to be able to perform at our best. Snacks can provide a good energy boost pre-training or a great way to kick off recovery post training. Snacks such as; muesli bars, fruit, protein bars or powder, electrolytes, lollies etc are great to keep in your gym bag.