I tend to make it to the gym pretty late at night, which means I'm not trying to waste time. And the locker room — IMHO — can be a major time suck. Over the years, I've found ways to speed up the process so I spend less time fussing in the locker room, and more time on the exercising. Need a little help in the time-saving department? Here are a few products that ensure the locker room isn't a black hole for your fitness fun.
- The proper lock. Since I'm big on misplacing keys, being responsible for a padlock key isn't the smartest choice. But combination locks are sensitive and can be a big waste of time — especially since the sequence of numbers is often confusing. The solution? A Wordlock. Instead of messing with numbers that need turning to the left or the right, all you have to do is spell out a word of your choice.
- Get organized. The women at my gym who take the longest in the locker room are the ones who throw their lives into their bags — and then onto the locker room benches! Instead of having to dig through your bag for your essentials, find a bag that has lots of compartments so you can organize, organize, organize! I also keep my toiletries in a separate bag so when it comes time to shower or freshen up, I can just grab it and go.
- A streamlined beauty routine. When you leave the gym as late as I do, showering isn't always an option. To keep my hair from getting gross, I pull it back in a ponytail and also wear a sweat-absorbing headband. If I need to freshen up on my way out, dry shampoo and body wipes can save me a good 20 minutes compared to a shower.
What products help you get in and out of the gym quickly?
When it comes to your skin, it's easy to get carried away, especially if you're experiencing issues with acne, tone, or dryness. But loading up on too many products can clog your pores and make whatever problems you're having much worse. Even worse, there are some products that really shouldn't be used in conjunction.
