Welcome to Fit&Well’s Gym Bag Essentials, a series asking expert trainers, coaches, writers and product testers what they won’t leave home without.
There are a few staples that Brittni Johnson has come to rely on—whether travelling to the gym for a morning strength session, teaching clients mat-based Pilates in person, enjoying an evening reformer class or clearing her head with a weekend run.
Here, the Pilates instructor (NCPT) at BetterMe provides a rundown of the training gear and nutritional supplements she carries with her.
I always carry bands with me, especially when I’m travelling. Either long-loop resistance bands or even longer Therabands.
If you don’t have access to weights or a gym, they offer a really great way to still get some extra resistance to work your muscles.
The BetterMe bands are great. They are really versatile. I use bands mostly around the outer thighs for hip abduction [moving your leg out to the side]. I’ll also use them around the wrists to mobilize the shoulders and rotator cuffs.
If I plan to do some Pilates work, the light BetterMe weights are easy to bring along. Pilates is not something you need heavy weights for—the light weights do plenty.
I use the BetterMe Sculpt dumbbells in chocolate brown. They are compact, made from a non-slip soft silicone material, and weigh just 2.2lb (1kg).
I invested in some Hokas a couple of months ago and they’ve been great. They’re light, responsive and supportive.
I like to run outdoors when the weather permits, though I’m not training for any specific race or event. I aim to run once or twice a week for overall cardiovascular health and longevity.
My focus is on consistency and long-term wellbeing rather than training for aesthetics or short-term goals.
When practicing Pilates, I'll often go barefoot, but if in a class or doing reformer I’ll use grip socks. This pair from BetterMe is non-slip with a snug fit.
The BetterMe small ball is another of my favorite bits of kit for Pilates. It’s super light, but it can really enhance your workouts by providing an extra stability challenge.
It can also give you something to squeeze onto and provide extra support, especially if you have lower back issues like I do.
Creatine monohydrate supports the body’s ability to produce ATP by increasing creatine phosphate availability in the muscle, which helps improve strength, power output and overall training performance.
I primarily take it on days that I lift, as it supports better work capacity and recovery.
Beyond performance, creatine has strong research backing for benefits like muscle preservation, improved training quality and even cognitive support.
It’s especially beneficial for women, as it can help support lean muscle mass, strength and bone health, making it a great foundational supplement for long-term health and performance.
I like Prevail Focus because it’s a clean caffeine source without added beta-alanine.
I’ve found that beta-alanine, found in most pre-workouts, doesn’t sit well with me, so I prefer something more straightforward that still gives me the mental clarity and energy boost I want before a workout.
The sour lime flavor is also a favorite, and it’s a great way to wake up and feel energized since I don’t drink coffee. [I find] coffee is also dehydrating, which isn’t ideal before training.
I prefer AirPods Pro because they stay secure in my ears during both running and lifting. I use them most often while running, strength training, or going on walks.
I typically listen to a mix of podcasts as well as hip-hop and pop music—it helps keep me motivated and focused, especially during longer sessions.
Water. You need a water bottle. Maybe a shaker if you want to make a protein drink after your workout. I just have a little portable tumbler that I use to mix up my shakes pre- or post-workout.
Last but not least, hair ties are vital. Make sure you have something for your hair if it is long to keep it out of your face. And hand sanitizer to keep bugs at bay.
