Spring Clean Your Gym Bag with This Simple Checklist
Spring is just itching to come out and play, which means our most active days are right around the corner. Are you ready? Only about 40 percent of Americans have a regular exercise regimen, and that number falls by half through the fall and winter. The new year boom at the gym is well-known, but expect your favorite trail to start flooding with the fair-weather crowd as soon as the weather breaks.
The warm weather boom will not only send you back to the trail and cleaning out closets, but you need to add your gym bag to the list, too! Whether you took the season off or not, it’s high time you peeked inside that funk bag and did a little spring cleaning. A good wash and swapping the old for new will set you up with better gear. You’ll feel better, workout stronger, and probably smell better, too.
Here’s a simple checklist to help you get started.
- The Bag. Depending on the material, and the age, the bag itself is probably due for a cleaning. Wash it, dry clean it, or just toss it.
- The Shoes. Your kicks are only good for 300-500 miles, depending on just how much wear and tear their endure. Start the season in a professionally-fitted new pair of running or gym shoes (and yes, there is a difference).
- The Socks. Check the toes and heels and if the material is thinning or has holes, just toss ’em in the trash. Replace with socks suited to your workout, like a moisture wicking material for runners or something with more grip for yogis.
- The Bra. Like shoes, your bra will only last so many miles. Most sports bras should be replaced every six to 12 months, but an Enell can last up to two years if you care for it, and some customers have reported five years! Learn more about caring for your Enell.
- The Deodorizer. If you keep dryer sheets, baking soda, or other odor absorbing supplies in your bag, be sure to swap that out. Moso Natural Air Deodorizing bags remove odor, bacteria, allergens, and more and last two years.
- The Yoga Mat. That thing is super porous, which means it harbors a lot of germs and bacteria. Clean it after each session with hot water and soap. It’s time to replace the mat if it’s thinning in well-worn areas, smells bad, has any size holes, doesn’t roll/unroll properly, or the edges curl.