Filson and your new gym bag

Performance doesn't always mean cutting edge technical goods.

Sometimes it just means doing things well.

 

 

Now that you've seen that...

Buy this bag.

Filson Medium Tin Cloth Duffle

Fill it with these things

 

And be awesome.

Inside the gym bag

10 items.

I get lots of new training shit. It's my job. But it's too easy to fill up post after post of expensive shit no one really owns and has only seen through press releases or online. Most of the products featured here will be ones I have at least gazed my very own eyes upon...

Including the bag, here are 10 items that will make each trip to the gym more effective, more efficient and might even help you catch some glances on the way out the door too.

Clothes

1. Patagonia Fore Runner training shirt  - Lightweight and Gladiodor protected...meaning you won't smell like the shirt has sat in the bag through 3 workouts, even if it has.
2. H&M Functional Shorts - Because long ass basketball shorts should stay on the court. Ditto for short ass grazing runner's shorts...no one wants to see you do lunges in those.
3. Adidas adizero ClimaProof Jacket - Lightweight, rolls into no space at all and good to have...just in case.

Gear

1. Bands - Pull-ups, stretching, push ups...1000's of uses. Have several if possible. Available here at bgstraining.com in 2014.
2. Speed rope - Not your school yard, double dutch jump rope. While lots of people talk about the benefits of heavy ropes, the light, fast ones keep you on your toes...literally. 
3. Yurbuds head phones - I bought the Iron Man Inspire version, and for it's price point (approx $50) , I'm very happy. And the weird earpieces aren't really that weird and they stay put which is always my problem. Plus, they're from St Louis!
4. Vapur collapsable water bottle - Full of water...its full size. When done, it role down to nothing. Easy peasy.
5. iPad mini with Retina - I got the 64GB version and its mainly for video usage. As a coach I use it with clients daily but like the saying goes, most things are easier said than done. With apps like Ubersense, I can record my technique and slow it down to 1/8 the speed to watch each moving part to see if its doing what it should. Worth the price alone. It won't take the place of a personal trainer but it will make their constant watchful eye less necessary (and therefore less expensive).
6. Pre- and Post-Workout food - Those protein shakes that you think are basically liquid muscle? They're most likely over loaded with unnecessary sugars and probably more protein than you need. Not the case for all but an apple with peanut butter and a cup of coffee before and a some good old chicken, rice and vegetables after will give you a more nutritious fill than some whey and water.

The Bag

1. Filson small duffle - Filson is legendary. They've made quality goods for over a century and these duffles should last at least half that long. There are a ton of great duffles out there but these are the grandaddies. Buy one now, show it equal parts recklessness and love and not only will you have a friend for life but the refined ruggedness just may attract another life long friend...

(Another) Perfect Gym Bag

This won't be the only type of thing I post on here but in an effort to kick start a bit more activity on here, I'm starting this as a regular series. We'll try to have something twice a month that shows a celebrity and what they like to pack in their training bag. Followed with a few tips on how to use what's in there and train like they do. And yes, I will, on occasion, use the term celebrity loosely...

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​One stop shop for the coolest bag in town

​Clockwise from upper left:

• ​Berghaus Ilam 850 Fill Hydrodown™ Jacket - a client of mine wore this to an outdoor training session with me the other day and I've been obsessed ever since. At 320g, its super light, super warm and packs down to next to nothing. If you live in a warmer climate, check out this one as an alternative. Either way, it;s light and warm and will keep you prepared for any unexpected spring chills.
• Fitbit Flex Band - This guy will track your steps, distance, calories burned, active minutes, hours slept and quality of sleep. There are lots of pedometers and FuelBand-type products out there but this one's ability to track sleep quality sets it apart. Currently sold out of it's first run, get in a pre-order for their next.
• ​Byredo Gypsy Water Body Wash - It smells amazing. Perfect for the onset of spring. Just as entrancing? Oud Immortel, Accord Oud and Sunday Cologne.
• Vapur Element water bottle - When empty the bottle folds up into an easy little package. Perfect for hiking, climbing and outdoor adventure sports as well.
• Filson Duffle Bag - I have an addiction to Filson luggage. It's tough, reliable, stylish and looks better the rougher you treat it. They've just released their medium sized bag in navy. These bags will last a lifetime and then some. Get them in every color, I say.
• Pulsin' Maple and Peanut Bar - ​Perfect pre-workout snack. Proteins, fats, natural sugars and it's dairy/gluten free. They recommend it as a post-workout snack but with only 12g of protein per bar, it's probably better before. Either way it tastes great.
• Smartwool PhD Run Ultra Light Micro socks - ​Yes, not one but two pairs. Always keep an extra pair of socks (and underwear) in your bag. Clean, of course. There will inevitably be days where you will forget to pack one or the other and its not something you want to go without when training. Though these thin, slightly compressed, merino socks will make you think you're not even wearing any.
• Pendelton Glacier National Park Bath Towel - Do you need this towel? No. But you do need a towel and why not have one that harkens back to the iconic brand's ​park blanket. One thing is for sure, you won't forget this one in the locker room.