Packing Survival Guide for Boot Camp and Mobile Trainers by Rachel Flanagan

my iPhone is the most important thing I bring to sessions

What to Pack when you’re a Boot Camp or Mobile Trainer

When you run an outdoor boot camp class, planning is everything. Whether it’s a 6am or 6pm class, I don’t like to depend on my memory to make sure I’ve packed everything I need and then get to the park and realize I’ve forgotten a critical piece. I now have a good checklist and system in place so once my coffee kicks in, I’m ready to run class!

The top 10 boot camp basics:

Mats – I know a lot of trainers ask their clients to bring mats, but I always supply them, and then clean them when I get home. I buy these mats from Amazon, which are thick and are holding up pretty well to the elements so far. At only $20 per mat, I don’t get too upset if they get beaten up outside. They were also highly rated by the Wirecutter, which is an online review site that I use often when buying new products, fitness related or otherwise.
Small dry erase boards / markers / erasers – My class always includes circuits, so I write down each exercise on a dry erase board and place it next to the weights. These 9×12 boards from Amazon have been really useful. I keep at least three markers in my bag since they dry out pretty fast. The erasers are useful because I’ll often change my mind on an exercise once I get things set up. This pack of erasers has lasted me a while.
Clipboard – I keep all of the workouts in a Google Sheets file and then print that day’s workout and put it on the clipboard, with a few copies of my waiver underneath in case any new people show up for class.
Waiver and pens – Before anyone picks up a dumbbell in my class (or in my garage gym), they all sign liability waivers. Sadly this is just a necessity of life as a trainer in 2017. I always keep three or four copies on my clipboard and several pens in my bag.
Portable Bluetooth speaker – This speaker from Amazon takes a beating in my class (it has fallen off of planters, steps, and my car more times than I care to admit) but still pumps out good sound. When I bought it a couple of years ago, it was highly rated on the Wirecutter, but has since been supplanted by some new ones.
iPhone – This is the most important thing I bring. I need it for texting (when I hear the ding I know people are running late or slept through their alarm), playing my song list on Spotify, timing intervals, and taking pictures of people during class to post on social media. I also have the Square app on my phone so people can pay me on site.
Business cards in a snack sized Ziplock bag – I get asked for these a lot when people walk by class, or by boot campers wanting a card to give their friends. It’s in a Ziplock in case my bag gets wet from being out in the rain.
Water bottle – You can find quality, durable tumblers here.
Bug spray – Non negotiable in the summer. Nothing can ruin a class like gnats or mosquitos.
Measuring tape – I take clients’ measurements on a regular basis, so I always keep one in my bag. The best way to keep it contained is with twist tie.

Equipment:

Dumbbells, specific to that day’s workout
Kettlebells – I have 8ks, 10ks, 12ks, 16ks, and a 40lb one, all of which I bought off a trainer who was selling off his stash. I used nail polish to paint different colored stripes on each handle to mark the different weights.
41” resistance bands (½” in width) – these are great for upper body warm-up and exercises like face pulls if you attach it to a tree or a piece of playground equipment. I buy them from resistancebandtraining.com since I know the quality will be good but you can also find them on Amazon.
Mini bands – great for warm up for beginners. These are the ones I keep in my bag.
Slingshot hip circles (aka The Blue Band of Terror) – These are fantastic for warm ups for your more advanced people (expect a quick outer glute burn on side stepping!) or for upping the ante on squats or glute bridge. I have several in small/medium and a few in large/XL.
Medicine ball – if ball slams happen to be on the menu that day
Jump rope – I use this on Fridays for cardio day
Cones – Also used on Fridays to mark sprint distances

Best of luck out there in the elements!

Rachel Flanagan is a personal trainer based in Pittsboro, North Carolina. She runs a boot camp three times a week at a local park and with her trusty totebag in hand, she calls herself the Mary Poppins of fitness. She also trains people one-on-one in her garage gym. You can follow her on Facebook and Instagram , or find more information about her on her website .