How to Pack the Perfect Gym Bag

I basically live out of my gym bag. For at least 18 months now, I'm such a regular fixture at various gyms that I keep everything ready to go so I'm prepared for my next training session. Ironman training requires a lot of sessions at the gym, so I think I have my process down to a science. First, I have a giant gym bag.

This is actually probably a bit too big, as I could fit three Napoleons in it, but I still end up filling it to the brim regularly. So what goes in the bag?

The main compartment has the following items, starting at the top: My make up bag, moisturizer and deodorant, two pairs of headphones, a bag of miscellaneous items, homemade dry shampoo (1/4 cup cornstarch, 1 Tablespoon baking soda, 1 Tablespoon cocoa powder in an clean Parmesan cheese container), a jewelry bag, a towel and washcloth, a giant plastic bag for wet clothes, shower shoes and a lock.

I bring the zipper topped bag (the same I used for Ragnar) because not every gym has a swimsuit extractor. Also, if it's a two-training session day, I don't want my second set of clothes to be soggy from the first set of nasty clothes. None of the gyms I go to have towel service, and I always have a washcloth in case I have to Kesha shower. That's what the dry shampoo is for, too.

The bag of bits and bobs contains:

Tweezers, contact lens solution and a case, spare contacts, toothpaste and floss. These are just odds and ends I need on occasion.

Next up, I keep all the shower stuff in one pouch on the side of the bag.

The swim cap and goggles go here because it's a lined pocket that I can store wet stuff in. I also have tiny shampoo, conditioner and lotion bottles from hotels, a disposable razor and face wipes. The gyms I frequent have soap that's sufficient, and I usually use conditioner instead of shaving cream at the gym.

Finally, there's a super large pouch in this bag where I keep all the hair styling stuff. For this particular haircut, it includes:

Root volumizer, pomeade, a wide-tooth comb, a hair dryer and a straightener.

Together, all these items make me presentable for work every morning in the most streamlined fashion. This is just the tip of the iceberg, though, because my car certainly contains more goodies required for an active lifestyle.

What's in your gym bag?