Your ‘must have’ natural gym essentials

Whether you workout before or after work, there's a few things that every gym-goer needs in their workout bag. But this doesn't mean you have to stray from your path of natural living. Use this guide to find all your natural gym essentials. 

What should a woman pack in a gym bag?

While this depends on you and your gym routine, there are a few essentials that all women should have in their gym bags to be sure they’re staying fresh the natural way. Many of the personal care products on the market that are anti-sweat, and designed to keep us fresh are full of harsh chemicals, parabens and synthetic fragrances. Of course, no gym bag will be complete without deodorant. Deodorant is designed to mask the smell of our sweat and absorb some of its moisture to keep us feeling fresh. However, many conventional deodorants are full of aluminium and chemicals that block pores and risk toxins entering the bloodstream. A natural deodorant uses ingredients like arrowroot and bi-carb alongside tea tree and coconut oil. A great natural deodorant for the gym and heavier sweating is the Woohoo deodorant stick in ‘Wild’ as it’s got extra strength. After a sweaty workout, you’ll probably notice your hair feels dirty and damp. While it’s probably best to wash your hair, this isn’t always possible right away. That’s where a natural dry shampoo comes in. Most of the conventional dry shampoos are full of harsh fragrances and aerosols that can damage your airways. A natural dry shampoo, however, uses natural starches and essential oils to remove dirt, grime and odour. A natural dry shampoo has the benefit of being better for your skin – it won’t strip it of natural oils or dry it out with harsh toxins.

How do I clean my skin after working out?

You’ll probably want to cleanse your face after a workout. Sweating can block the pores with bacteria and cause breakouts. If you can carry a natural face cleanser in your bag, then great. If not, then carry a packet of gentle face wipes with you instead. Face wipes are often said to be bad for the skin because they can contain ingredients like alcohol or harsh soaps. But organic and natural face wipes are a great option for a quick, post-sweat-sesh cleanse. Natural face wipes are free from artificial parabens, petrochemicals and alcohol – instead using ingredients like aloe vera and plant oils to cleanse and hydrate.

Regular sweating is actually good for your skin – it moisturisers and cools it. However, letting sweat build up on the skin isn’t good. Sweat can block your pores and lead to irritation. Because sweat causes moisture it also makes it likely for bacteria to grow. After exercising it’s important not to let sweat sit on your skin for too long. If you generally have time for a shower after your workout, then pack a natural body wash in your gym bag. But if you’re pressed for time or want to shower at home then carry some natural body wipes. Natural body wipes can be used straight after a workout in delicate and sweat-prone areas like the underarms and intimates to prevent bacteria growth and keep you fresh. Body wipes will help remove any bacteria from the gym equipment and the odour of sweat – making them good when you can’t shower right away.
 

What every guy needs for the gym

What a guy needs in their gym bag isn’t too different to what a woman needs but there are a few tips to keep in mind. Like women, you’ll want to pack a strong natural deodorant for during and after your workout. We recommend using a deodorant spray as it’s much easier for refreshing. A natural deodorant spray is better than an aerosol deodorant as it’s safer for your skin, lungs and the planet. A natural deodorant spray has the added benefit of doubling as a body mist, so you can spritz your clothes with it to make sure you smell fresh post-workout. Another important part of any gym bag is a stainless steel water bottle – everyone should pack one of those. Staying hydrated throughout a workout is crucial as your sweat means you’re losing water. A stainless steel water bottle is essential as you can fill it up at the gym and before you leave, but it also keeps your water nice and cold – making it super refreshing during your workout.

What is best for post-workout recovery?

It’s recommended that you follow a gym workout with a meal that contains healthy protein. It’s not always easy to get in a meal after a workout though, especially if you workout early in the day. That’s where a protein shake comes in. You can keep your protein shake simple with just some water and protein powder. If that’s you, you’ll want to pack some protein and a shaker bottle. Macro Mike protein is one of the best vegan protein powder Australia for protein that is healthy but tasty. Macro Mike protein is refined-sugar free, gluten-free and dairy-free but 100% flavourful. If you’re looking for vegan protein powder Australia, we also recommend Hemp Foods Australia. A hemp protein is a great option for those wanting a complete protein that’s also easy to digest. Hemp protein is great because it contains nine essential amino acids and is full of fibre which is great for smooth digestion. Our range of vegan protein powder Australia is all-natural and free from synthetic fillers and sweeteners. 
 

What skincare to use after working out?

As we’ve mentioned, skincare is so important after a workout. The longer sweat is on your face and body, the higher the chances of it getting in your pores and attracting things like dead skin cells, fungal infection and bacteria. Some skin experts recommend double cleansing after a workout. This means removing the first layer of sweat and bacteria with one cleanse and then following up with a second cleanse to properly wash the skin. Moisturiser is essential before and after a gym session. Moisturising your skin before a workout helps to keep it calm while you sweat and prevent drying or redness. Also, don’t forget to wear sunscreen if you’re exercising outside. The best skin care tip for preventing breakouts and acne after a workout is to ditch the makeup. Wearing foundation or powder while you sweat can clog your pores, which is the number one cause of skin breaking out into acne. A great after-workout skincare product to toss in your gym bag is a face mist. A face mist will refresh and tone your skin to help it cool and calm down after your sweat sesh.

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