Here are the top 10 essentials in my gym bag

I own two types of belts, both of which I love.

The black one is a 2pood velcro/fabric belt, four inches wide, and it’s certified for use in weightlifting competitions (specifically Olympic weightlifting, which includes the snatch and clean and jerk). I use it for squats and for my heaviest clean and jerks.

The maroon one is made of leather, 10mm thick, and three inches wide. (It’s from Pioneer, and the holes are spaced every half-inch, rather than the usual one-inch spacing.) I purchased it when I was more focused on powerlifting than Olympic lifting. Even though I now use the black belt for squats, I still love this slightly thinner belt for deadlifts. When I first started looking for a belt, I was advised that a 4" belt works best for squats, but a 3" belt may be ideal for deadlifts, especially for smaller individuals or those with shorter torsos.

That said, not everyone needs a belt, so if you’re lifting casually and not competing, you can likely do without one.

I pack a pair of tiny micro plates when heading to a regular commercial gym. Typically, the smallest plates you’ll find there are 2.5 pounds, but if I want to make a subtle increase in my overhead press, for example, I need something smaller. So, I bring these 1.25-pound plates and label them with neon orange tape to ensure I don’t leave them behind by mistake.

If you’re training for an axle bar lift, or simply want to challenge your grip and forearms further, Fat Gripz (or similar grips from other brands—I’m not picking favorites) can be added to nearly any standard barbell or dumbbell to increase the difficulty and make the workout more exciting.

I could never fully understand why weightlifters wore knee sleeves. Whenever I asked, I’d receive vague responses like “they keep my joints warm” or “you’ll know when you need them.” Sometimes I’d hear “if they’re really tight, they can help you rebound from the bottom of a squat, but mine are just regular fit.”

Eventually, I caved in and bought a pair to experience them for myself. And you know what? They’re pure bliss. It’s hard to explain, but all I know is that when I squat deep, my knees just feel so much better with them on.

This tripod is my constant companion, always by my side during workouts. I’m a huge advocate for recording videos so I can review my form and track my lifts. Looking back at my older lifts and noticing how my form has improved over time is one of my favorite things. And since I’m still staying away from the gym because of COVID, I rely on sending videos to my coach for regular feedback.

For the best results, record lifts from hip height, a reasonable distance away, not from a phone propped up against your water bottle. A tripod doesn’t need to be pricey or heavy. Just look up “selfie stick tripod”—I got a no-name brand for about $15.

These figure 8 lifting straps are a game-changer. Most lifting straps are the standard kind, with a loop at one end, which work for most exercises, but when you’re lifting something really heavy, they can sometimes unroll as your grip starts to slip.

The figure 8 style, however, is commonly used in strongman competitions for those truly massive lifts. The heaviest I’ve pulled off the floor is 275 pounds—no problem, as I do a lot of grip training—but I first picked up these straps when I started attempting three-plate rack pulls. They helped me reach a 395-pound wagon wheel deadlift at a strongwoman competition. These straps are the real deal.

Also, very important in any gritty, grimy gym (unlike my favorite weightlifting spot, but very much like, well, my garage): a delicate little towel for my head. There’s a limit to how much dirt I’m willing to endure when I’m doing a floor press, okay?

I never go anywhere without my training journal. Even if my workout comes from a spreadsheet or an app, I always jot it down in my notebook first, and then I check off the sets as I complete them. I create little charts, progress bars, and side notes whenever the mood strikes me.

I also keep a few “just-in-case” items in my gym bag:

• A first aid kit, just in case I get injured

• Headphones, in case I forget mine

• Electrolyte tablets (and a snack, not shown), in case I need something more than water to survive a long workout

• Athletic tape and scissors, in case I need to deal with a foot blister or create a tape grip to protect a torn callus

The rest of my gym bag’s contents might change from day to day or be pretty similar to yours (think: a spare t-shirt, etc.). But these are my must-haves, along with a few slightly indulgent items. What do you carry?