Welcome, AUGUST!
I love August 1st–it’s the national holiday for Switzerland (1291), so in my family, it’s almost like July 4th all over again. 
We do a big dinner, fireworks, and a fun Swiss-themed dessert.
Well, around here (just my hubby and me), we’re going to eat Swiss chocolate and wear red and white (the official colors). Maybe I will bake some Swiss bread after work too? We shall see.
{frolicking atop the Swiss Alps in 2010}
Nonetheless, 8/1 is always a special day in my heart. <3
*****
I love to workout. I just do. And I also really like going to the gym (it’s a 2nd home to me, really). However, I don’t think I would love it as much if I didn’t have a few workout essentials with me.
{Gym} Workout Essentials
1. ipod Nano -stocked full of music & podcasts.
I am totally motivated by music–and it seems like most of us are. This interesting article explored the studies that have linked workout intensity to music beats. I too believe that working out is ‘easier’ (relatively speaking) when a good beat is sounding in my ears!
—For fun (and thanks to this girl’s inspiration)—listed are my top 5 favorite workout songs: Stronger-What Doesn’t Kill You (Kelly Clarkson), Down (Jay Sean), Forever (Chris Brown), Give Me Everything (PitBull), The Edge of Glory (Lady Gaga) –>oh, and right now I am really loving Flo Rida’s Whistle
2. Good shoes. This is SO important. I have 3 different pair of shoes for different fitness activities, and no that is not just my love for shoes. It is crucial to have the right fit and the right type for the activity you’re doing.
To find that, go to a running store to get your feet checked, and/or have a professional check your gait, footfall, and type of foot that you have. For example, I have a wider foot with medium-low arches, so I need a more stable shoe.
3. Lifting gloves. If you lift heavy/heavier weights, I highly suggest this essential. My workouts got so much better once I got the gloves. And I almost died on Monday at the gym (right before teaching BodyPump) when I realized I had forgotten them.
The gloves help with having a better grip on the barbell and dumbbells, plus it makes you look more legit.
{pink Harbinger gloves}
Fake it till you make it never sounded better!
4. Phone. Safety first!
5. BodyBugg. Or any step or activity tracker. It’s a great way to know your mileage/HR/step count/calories burned, especially if you’re training for something!
I mentioned this before though, if you’re too hung up on the numbers, I’d consider removing that device for a bit to help ‘get in tune’ with the body again.
6. Water. Ummmm, yah. This is HUGE. STAY hydrated during a workout! Who cares if you must carry a water bottle?! Water is your best friend if you want to reach your fitness goals.
‘Nuff said.
7. Fuel. If your workouts are longer than 1 hour, fuel is a must. See my fuel up/prepare and refuel routine.
{fitmixer aminos amazingness}
8. Book or magazine. I get crazy bored on the cardio machines if I don’t have SOMEthing to read (just like Ashley), so I bring along magazines or books. (I use a huge clip to keep books in place). This is fabulous for lots and lots of reasons.
And yes, I can read while running. It’s a talent I had to work at though.
other miscellaneous items I bring to the gym : wallet, keys (just FYI). And a smile.
If you’re not in the mood to hit up the gym or workout, just start by smiling. That’ll help ya get there, eventually. 
*****
P.s. Who is LOVING watching the Olympics?! Oh my goodness. I.am.in.heaven. I love, love, love this stuff.
{spoiler alert, next}
SO proud of these ladies–and all the Olympians, really.
Oh, and I am a Michael Phelps fan through and through. That man is awe-inspiring–so impressed by his athletic ability and talent!
Okay, I am done being a bit nerdy…..
Have a GREAT day, my people!
What are some of YOUR {gym} workout essentials??! Do YOU read while on cardio machines?? Do YOU like tracking YOUR fitness stats?? Why or why not??
I totally read on a cardio machine! And I am a fan of Phelps too, however, was sad to see that he was disappointed in getting a silver. Did you see the USA girl that won a bronze and started crying she was so happy? I get that he has high standards for himself but geez. Congrats to the guy who won gold, it was touching to see the dude’s dad crying in the stands.
I think he was just disappointed in himself, not in the actual medal. He knew he didn’t work as hard as he could’ve on his ‘finishes’ < —what I read
HE is so freaking inspiring to me though.
My workout essentials is a supportive sports bra (mine ladies aren’t huge, but it really bothers me when they’re not contained!), good shoes, and tons of water (I drink SO much when I workout). If i’m doing cardio, then I have to have headphones or something to read, but I can only read during incline walking or the stairmill.
It takes some talent to read on the treadmill – you are quite impressive!
I’ve been loving the Olympics too! I’m so glad you figured out how to stream it online! I LOVED watching the gymnastics yesterday!
I have to have my MP3 player when I am doing long cardio sessions on the treadmill or elliptical. I also keep my lifting gloves, a water bottle, and reading material in my gym bag.
That’s a great idea to just leave it IN the bag, instead of having to remember it all the time. Smart lady
I didnt used to read on cardio machines until I got my iPad last year..now I dont know what I did without it, ha! I read magazines or books on everything but the treadmill…on the treadmill i’ll usually watch movies or shows on the iPad, its wonderful. I’m not at the gym tons now during the summer, since I run outside for the most part but in the winter i’m there alllll the time
I still need to get myself some lifting gloves!
I’m so enjoying watching the olympics, its amazing to watch any sport performed at that athletic level!
You are super talented for reading while on the treadmill haha. I can’t do that at all!
My essentials are my iphone (also an ipod) with armband and headphones, my lifting gloves, a towel and a water bottle!
I’m always impressed by people who can run and read at the same time. Walking or elliptical-ing, I’m fine, but I’ve never been able to do the run-and-read thing.
I did a post a few weeks ago about my gym essentials! http://betterwithsprinklesblog.com/2012/07/21/the-essentials/ — definitely agree with you on the gloves, they just feel badass.
Happy Swiss Day!
I have forgotten my gloves once or twice when teaching pump (like if I took them out of my gym bag to use at home) and it was AWFUL! I was so distracted!
Very few people use them in my classes- and I don’t get it! They’re absolutely essential to me. I’m not a big fan of developing huge callouses on my hands.
I agree?! I’m all about the hardcore gloves now
I agree with your essentials! For me it’s my shoes, comfy clothing, lifting gloves, water bottle, protein shake & a good magazine if I am on the stairmaster!
I love to track my fitness stats so I can improve!
I can’t read on a treadmill! haha! I love the fitmixer aminos!!! so essential!
I’m watching the olympics now and it’s high jump! My gym essentials are: phone, water bottle, teaching strap (I keep it in my bag even when I’m not teaching just incase) and towel. I don’t need music because I generally just do classes and they got the jams
First of all I would like to say that I just love Swiss chocolates. And now coming to the main topic of your blog about the workout essentials, all the items mentioned are perfect. I have made the checklist and abided. Thanks!
I was not familiar with this term PAR. Thank you so much for the information.
i dont no i liked Thank you so much for the information.