The smell of hard work fills the air while the sound of shoes banging on treadmills echoes through the building. On one side of the gym, there are power-hungry lifters, and on the other, there are cardio buffs and calisthenic trainers. Though they have different goals, they tend to bring the same essentials to the gym.

Commercial gyms come in many shapes and sizes. Lots of these gyms cost money to enter, but there are some, like Planet Fitness, that offer a summer pass for teenagers ages 14-19. Thanks to these opportunities, individuals interested in the fitness industry can begin their journey. Once someone has gained tips – from either social media or personal experience – they will learn that certain items can help improve their overall performance. 

Many items that influencers promote are 50/50: they are either optimal or a complete waste. It is important to find reliable sources when searching for good-quality equipment. The more time someone spends in the industry, the more they can learn about the pros and cons of certain products and exercises. The same thing applies to the essentials for the gym. At the beginning, what first comes to mind might be bringing some water, but later on, a person might even bring their own deadlift bar.

#5 Backpack/Bag

A backpack makes it to the bottom of the list just due to the fact that, without it, one would have no place to store their items. For starters, plenty of gyms have lockers but do not offer a lock. Because of this, people place their items in said lockers with no lock, hoping nobody steals them. One solution would be to just carry the items, but when carrying multiple things, pockets will not be enough. A backpack can be filled with many gym items that may or may not be needed, but it is easier to keep everything in one place.

#4 Gym equipment (straps, belt, wrist wraps, etc.)

Gym equipment made it this far because there are lots of different types of equipment for many different exercises. Some of the more common equipment includes things like lifting straps, mainly used for better activation of the back and to minimize grip fatigue. They are very small and compact, making them easily portable for any necessary use. Lifting belts are also used frequently; they are not one’s typical waist belts for jeans, but they are similar. This belt goes around the waist and helps stabilize the core. It is helpful when used correctly. There are many types of belts; it just comes down to preference.

#3 Water 

Water makes it halfway to the top five simply because it is essential for day-to-day life. During a workout, sweat is constantly being released from the body. By itself, water is a great source of hydration. It replenishes the sweat that has been released and improves overall performance during a workout. Plenty of gyms have water fountains in case someone forgets to bring a bottle, but many do not. It is always recommended that gym-goers bring their own in case of an emergency.

#2 Headphones 

The reason headphones are not number one is that there is no point in wearing them if the wearer is constantly taking them out to hear what a friend is trying to say. On the same note, the use of headphones is to block out distractions and to put you into what many people call the flow state. Not to mention that the gym music itself is not that great and can make a workout go from good to bad quickly. It is always recommended to bring an extra pair just in case one of the two fails to work.

#1 Gym bros

The phrase “gym bro” essentially describes close gym friends. These friends can either push someone to get stronger or help a gymgoer become the best version of themselves. However, they can easily turn a 45-minute workout into a two-hour yap session about absolutely nothing. During these sessions, there are always two roles: a leader and a follower. The leader makes the workout and ensures everyone gets everything done, basically acting as a personal trainer who is not getting paid. The followers, as one might guess, do exactly what the leader says without asking, just like a loyal gym soldier. But at the end of the day, working out is not about the reps and the protein. It is also about the memories that have been made between sets, the weight that has been pushed, and the shared pain of leg day that somehow turns into friendship.