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    Hey, gym bag junkies

    Updated:11 Jul 2014 11:20 AM | Posted by
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    On Google Earth it would look like a migration of giant tortoises. Every morning between 7 and 9am, flocks of fitness-seekers pedal and power walk my home-to-office route. Even more stream, panting, in and out of my local gym, and most are schlepping bags worthy of a Dutch backpacker.

    So, because there's a weights workout and then there's a hernia, here's how to pare back a hefty gym bag…

    While travel-sized portions of skincare and shower essentials make that part of the after-exercise ritual easy, many of us tote much more make-up than we really need. Instead, try getting together a 'go bag' of staples, like foundation, mascara, liner and bronzer, and interchanging wardrobe-co-ordinating eyeshadow and lip colours as you need them. Palettes are also a multi-look space-saver, particularly ones (try the ELF Elements Compact, $3.95) that let you switch colours at will.

    More problematic are the accessories that go with the post-workout wash. Especially the clunky hairdryer. If your locker room's not equipped with a decent dryer  (mine 'coughs' at me!) yet you simply must shampoo, invest in a petite-but-powerful travel dryer. After much investigation, I've found Sunbeam's Salon Technique 1600W Travel Dryer (Ionic Tech) ($24.95) and the Conair Think Pink Ceramic Travel Dryer ($29.95) to be two of the best. And a super thirsty travel towel (like Manicare's Supa Dry Towel, $21.99) cuts both dry time and packing space in half.

    It's simpler still to skip the wet wash and opt for a dry shampoo instead. To erase oil slicks and perk up limp locks in an instant, you just spray a little of the grease-absorbing powder on your roots, work it in for a few seconds and brush it out. It's a space-saving, root-raising revelation! Klorane Extra Gentle Dry Shampoo ($13.50) and Kevin Murphy's Fresh.Hair ($26.95) are my favourites, but Batiste Dry Shampoo ($8.95) and Label.M Dry Shampoo ($28.50) are also excellent options.

    What are your suggestions for a beauty and back-friendly gym kit?

    Have you tried any of the products mentioned above?

    Review them now to earn points that you can swap for free beauty products in RewardsRoom.

    Klorane DRY SHAMPOO WITH OAT MILK
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    33 Member Comments

    Elunia 1 Jul 2018 9:50 PM

    Those hairdryers you have mentioned sound pretty cheap and in my experience cheap hairdryers = fried hair.

    Wouldn't it be much easier to exercise after work?

    BeautifulJusty 22 May 2017 7:09 AM

    Don't need to worry about this anymore, as the yoga studio I'm currently using is a 2 minute walk from home - just freshen up at home :)

    Linda_Vesinger 6 Apr 2016 1:55 PM

    Most important product for me would be a very effective deodorant

    itslinda 5 Apr 2016 3:59 PM

    Nice!

    annieleex 3 Apr 2016 11:14 PM

    Great article!

    bmill229 11 Jul 2014 11:20 AM

    I love using Batiste Dry Shampoo.

    Goldcat 9 Apr 2014 10:10 PM

    I have never set foot inside a gym.

    Trish_D 14 Sep 2012 11:50 AM

    Not a gym person - you can tell that by looking at my body!!!!!

    Limabean 10 Oct 2011 6:59 AM

    definitely deo

    Sweetie 15 Sep 2009 4:52 AM

    I have been tossing up whether the Supa Dry towel was a worthwhile purchase, thanks girls for the feedback on it, I'm now convinced to give one a go!

    rrswong 18 Jul 2009 10:38 AM

    I think a good dry shampoo and deodorant.

    skitzkitty 10 Jun 2009 1:22 AM

    A good deodorant is essential for any gym bag! I couldn't care less what I look like at the gym - I'm there to work out, not pick up!!

    Little miss sunshine 24 May 2009 12:42 PM

    3 in 1 wipes that cleanse tone and moisturise and get rid of icky sweat!

    lgauci 23 Jun 2008 11:53 PM

    I go for a walk instead of the gym and I also do some yoga.It's so relaxing girls and good for the mind as well as the body.

    annibaby 13 Jun 2008 1:47 AM

    I go to the gym after work as I find it easier to exercise after a hard day at work. It is great stress relief for me.

    stefaneigh 18 Jan 2008 12:18 AM

    i dont go to a gym but i think if i did i'd rather go after school/work so you dont have to worry about looking good after it

    fluttrgrl 14 Jan 2008 1:25 AM

    I found it so hard to go straight to work from the gym. It did make me a lot faster at getting ready in the morning though!

    But it meant that occassionally I would put an outfit together the night before (a must when you go in the morning!) and would put it on after my post-gym shower and it just would not work! Or you forget socks. Or worse - clean knickers!

    I also had to buy a wet-to-straight hair straightener in an attempt to save time, but then realised they don't actually save time. You're better off blow drying with a ceramic brush then straightening as normal. Or just blow drying full stop - I am now a blow drying pro.

    But now I have found anew gym and am back in the land of getting ready for work at home. Yay! No more bland makeup and mismatched outfits... even better... no more lugging around a brick of a backpack every day!!

    melmeko 13 Jan 2008 4:05 AM

    I can't afford the gym either I would rather exercise for free.

    Princess75 10 Jan 2008 1:44 AM

    I hired a locker when i had to travel from the gym to work and kept a supply of goodies there. when i started working in the same building as the gym i would go after work so i didn't have to bother. if i had a heavier face of make up on before a work out i would use cleansing wipes to get rid of some of it. it felt better than having makeup clumped all over my face with sweat.

    My.Nongy 10 Jan 2008 12:09 AM

    I like to workout at home. Gyms are expensive but you can set up your own bit by bit and save money. I know in the city most people probably don't have the room. I used to go to a gym and there were tv's everywhere but no sound so it didn't help take my mind of the exercise lol.

    I wouldn't wash my hair at a gym, I'd give the dry shampoo a go. However I have tried cornstarch and talc but it makes my hair look grey and is impossible to remove without washing it out.

    I never went to the gym before work, I would much rather go after and not worry about looking good until I got home if at all for the rest of the day.

    gorjus 10 Jan 2008 12:01 AM

    It's ridiculous wearing makeup to a gym, you should be there to workout and no one will notice how good/bad you look because they're there for something else - exercise! If you want to pick up or get noticed, go somewhere like a club. It makes me and my mates laugh looking at dollybirds at the gym looking in the mirror at their faces and doing their hair instead of the workout they're meant to be doing. Makeup AFTER workout is not a problem, but it's stupid to get dressed up when all you do is sweat off the pain anyway.

    hello.my.baby 9 Jan 2008 11:13 PM

    im the complete oposite to a gym junkie i think its too expensive and people stare at you if you dont know what you are doing

    glamourcat 9 Jan 2008 10:46 AM

    I wouldn't like to get caught in the rain with the cornstarch in my hair though, could get a bit pastey! lol :)

    girl_with_a_gloss 9 Jan 2008 8:22 AM

    I also read a tip on BH once before that said cornstarch can do a similar job to talcum powder for soaking up oily patches. the same warning applied to both tho - go easy, and be aware that it can look obvious in very dark, thick hair. I'd be worried about the residue so stick with dry shampoo. It's great idea for an emergency though!

    tina_cats 9 Jan 2008 8:04 AM

    Oh wow! you too! Its a major help to me, as I have really greasy hair.Some talcom powders smell lovely too. Have you noticed using the powder it also lightens up your hair colour? Like,if i have dark roots coming through, the talc lightens it up in a jiffy! Very ,very Cool!!!!

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