What’s In My Gym Bag: Staying Fit in My Mid-40s

Fitness is an important part of my life, and in my mid-40s I’ve come to appreciate it for more reasons than I probably did when I was younger. Of course I like to feel good in my clothes, but these days it is just as much about staying strong, having energy and looking after myself in a way that feels realistic and sustainable. The gym is part of my regular routine, but I don’t overcomplicate it. I’ve learned that showing up consistently and finding a rhythm that works for me matters more than trying to do everything perfectly.

Over time, I’ve also worked out which things genuinely make that routine easier and more enjoyable. There are certain clothes I always reach for, a few grooming products I like to have with me, and some everyday essentials that have earned a permanent place in my gym bag. Nothing especially complicated, just things I actually use and would happily recommend. So I thought I’d share what I tend to pack, along with a little about how fitness fits into my life now.

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I’ve had enough earbuds disappear over the years to know they are apparently not meant for me. I’ve tried and tried with them, but between constantly adjusting them, pushing them back into place, losing one somewhere between the gym and the car, or finding one days later in the washing machine, I eventually lost patience. A few years ago I switched to Shokz, and they have been one of those things I genuinely wish I had bought sooner.

I use the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2, which sit around the back of my head with the earpieces resting just in front of my ears rather than actually sitting inside them. That open-ear design is probably the biggest reason I like them so much. They stay in place while I’m moving, I don’t spend half my workout fiddling with them, and I can still hear what is going on around me. The OpenRun Pro 2 also gives up to 12 hours of battery life, and Shokz uses a combination of bone-conduction and air-conduction technology for the sound.

They have also become one of the things I automatically throw into my gym bag because I use them for far more than just lifting. They are great for walking and running too, particularly because I don’t feel completely cut off from my surroundings. And perhaps most importantly, I have yet to accidentally put them through the washing machine.

If swimming is more your thing, Shokz also makes the OpenSwim Pro, which is designed specifically for water. It has an IP68 waterproof rating and can be submerged in up to two meters of fresh water. It also has 32GB of built-in storage, so you can load music directly onto the headphones and listen underwater in MP3 mode, where Bluetooth itself won’t work through the water. Shokz says that storage is enough for more than 8,000 standard-quality songs, and battery life is up to nine hours in Bluetooth mode or six hours in MP3 mode.

The OpenSwim Pro uses the same kind of secure open-ear fit, with slim ear hooks that are designed to work alongside goggles and a swim cap, which makes them a really clever option if laps are part of your routine.

When it comes to shoes, On has become one of the brands I reach for most, both for the gym and for everyday wear. My favorite is the Cloud 6, particularly in the Black | Black colorway because it goes with practically everything and doesn’t scream “gym shoe” the second you leave the workout floor. The Cloud 6 uses On’s Zero-Gravity CloudTec cushioning, which gives it that light, cushioned feel the brand is known for, while the Speedboard adds support for all-day wear.

What I like most is how easy they are to wear. They feel lightweight on foot, the updated shape gives a little more comfort and stability, and the new sockliner makes them particularly easy to slip into. I’ll wear them for a workout, but they’re equally useful on days when I’m walking a lot, running errands, or traveling and want one pair of shoes that can do several jobs. The all-black version also looks clean enough that I don’t feel the need to immediately change out of them after leaving the gym.

I’ve learned that if a pair of workout shoes is comfortable, versatile and easy to grab without thinking about it, I’ll actually wear them far more often.

When it comes to staying fit in my mid-40s, I’ve become much more particular about what I wear to work out. Comfort matters more to me than anything else because if something is too heavy, too restrictive, or constantly needs adjusting, it becomes a distraction pretty quickly. One of the brands I reach for most is Ten Thousand, especially their Interval 5-inch Shorts, which come in both lined and unlined versions depending on what you prefer. I like the shorter length for training, and they have enough stretch to work for everything from lifting to cardio without feeling bulky.

I’m also a big fan of the Ten Thousand Session Tanks, particularly when I want something lightweight that moves well and doesn’t feel clingy once a workout gets going. Lululemon and Vuori are also regulars in my rotation, especially for pieces that can easily take me from the gym into the rest of the day without looking overly technical. You’ll also find a few Under Armour pieces mixed in, particularly when I want something simple, dependable, and made to handle a hard workout. I’m not especially loyal to one brand when it comes to gym clothes. If something fits well, feels good, and performs the way I need it to, it earns a place in the rotation. At the end of the day, the best workout gear is the stuff you barely have to think about once you put it on.

I usually like to finish a workout with a little time in the steam room, sauna, or spa if I can. Part of that is recovery, but just as much of it is having a few quiet minutes to switch off before heading back into the rest of the day. The products at the gym are perfectly decent, but I’ve always preferred bringing my own, especially when it comes to skincare, body care, and hair.

While Aesop tends to be my go-to for certain facial products when I travel, my everyday skincare routine is much more centered around Dermalogica. After a workout, I like their Special Cleansing Gel because it feels fresh without being harsh, especially after sweating, and I usually follow with Active Moist, which is light enough that it doesn’t feel heavy after the gym. For body care, I keep coming back to Salt & Stone, particularly their Santal & Vetiver Body Wash and matching deodorant. The scent is clean and warm without being overpowering, which is exactly what I want after a workout.

For hair, I also like having something that is quick and uncomplicated, which is where SexyHair Style Frenzy comes in. It gives enough hold and texture to make my hair look put together again without needing to spend ages styling it.

And that’s pretty much what comes with me to the gym. Nothing revolutionary, just the clothes, products, and little extras I genuinely use and keep going back to. If something here ends up earning a place in your own gym bag too, even better.

You can check out my gym collection on ShopMy here.