12 things every guy should carry in his gym bag

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A few handy gym essentials, a pair of Bluetooth earbuds for jogging on the treadmill or a lock for storing whatever you brought with you in the locker room, can make all the difference when working out.

As it stands, your gym bag likely already has your sneakers, running shorts, keys, and phone neatly tucked in there, and below are 12 additional things that will prepare you for both the expected and the unexpected.

If you still need to buy a bag to hold your stuff, and which won't look out of place when you bring it to the office, we've got you covered on that front, too.

A pair of Bluetooth earbuds

Nothing can more quickly ruin a workout than than a low-quality pair of earbuds. This wireless pair from JayBird fits securely on your ear, has a sweat-proof warranty, and offers a 8-hour battery life. If $130 is more than you'd like to spend, Sol Republic and Koss have cheaper alternatives that are also Insider Picks-approved.

Jaybird X2 Sport Wireless Bluetooth Headphones, $112.99, available at Amazon. 

A reusable water bottle

Nobody likes waiting in line for a water fountain — especially when they're parched after a long cardio workout. Save time and pick yourself up a reusable bottle. S'well's bottles will keep your cold beverages cold for up to 24 hours and your hot beverages warm for up to 12 hours. For those in search of something cheaper, Hydro Flask has an affordable alternative that provides similar results.

S'well Insulated Stainless Steel Bottle, $50.15, available at Amazon.

A small towel

Most gyms have complimentary hand towels, but for some people, there's something unsettling about using the same towel that many others also used before them. Nike's small cotton towel comes with a carabiner, so you can hook it onto your machine for easy access. 

Nike Jacquard Towel, $20, available at Nike.