There’s something rather satisfying about walking into the office knowing you’ve already squeezed in a workout. You’ve done something good for yourself, the day’s barely started, and you’ve still got the evening free.
Getting to that point, though, can be a bit of a circus. Between the alarm going off at an ungodly hour, getting to the gym, showering, changing, and making it to work on time, there’s plenty that can go wrong.
And nothing quite ruins that post-workout glow like realizing you’ve forgotten your clean underwear.
1. A Watch That’s Ready to Sweat
If you’re squeezing a workout into the hour before work, you probably want to make good use of it. It’s no secret that smartwatches are trendy and incredibly functional.
However, one area in which they truly excel is health and fitness tracking. You can keep an eye on your heart rate, time your intervals, and track your session without constantly reaching for your phone.
Of course, the band matters too. Something comfortable for sitting at a desk all day might not be quite so pleasant when you’re halfway through a sweaty spin class.
Heading into a sweaty workout with your everyday watch strap? Not always ideal. A set of Apple Watch athletic bands gives you something better suited to training. Silicone’s particularly handy here. A quick wipe after your session and you’re good to go.
2. The Toiletries You Keep Forgetting
It’s usually something small. Deodorant, a hairbrush, maybe the toothpaste. You remember the important stuff, get through your workout, and then discover the one thing you need isn’t there.
Keep a second set of toiletries in your gym bag. Nothing fancy, just the things you actually use after a shower. That way you’re not moving bottles back and forth between the bathroom and your bag every evening.
And throw in a towel. Preferably a dry one.
3. Getting Your Work Clothes There in One Piece
A freshly ironed shirt and a crowded gym bag aren’t exactly a happy combination. Especially when there’s a pair of running shoes squashing everything underneath.
Try packing your office clothes separately, with the heavier stuff at the bottom of the bag. A packing cube can help, or even a simple garment sleeve if you’re carrying a jacket. Have a locker at work? Try leaving a spare pair of shoes there, so you have one less thing to carry at six in the morning.
4. Breakfast That Doesn’t Require a Detour
The trouble with training before work is that breakfast often gets squeezed into whatever time’s left. Some mornings, that’s not much.
A little preparation the night before helps. Maybe overnight oats in a container, a banana and a peanut butter sandwich, or whatever you can comfortably eat once you’ve finished exercising. Another option is to get yourself a nifty little portable blender, prep all the ingredients ahead of time and then blitz on the go for a fresh, healthy liquid breakfast.
5. Somewhere to Put Your Sweaty Clothes
There’s a particular smell that develops when damp gym clothes spend eight hours sitting beside your laptop. Not one you’d recommend.
A separate compartment for wet clothes is handy, but you don’t necessarily need a special gym bag. A reusable waterproof pouch will keep your sweaty shirt and towel away from everything else.
Just remember to empty it when you get home. Leaving yesterday’s gym gear zipped up overnight is a fairly reliable way to make tomorrow morning unpleasant.
