The gym is a place to challenge yourself, build confidence, and move your body in a way that feels good. But if you're living with diabetes, heading into a workout space (especially one that’s public) can come with a few extra steps. Between managing devices, carrying low snacks, and planning for the unexpected, it takes more than just lacing up your sneakers.

Here’s how to navigate the gym with diabetes like the bold, capable, fearless person you are.

1. Prep Before You Step In

Your gym bag might look a little different than someone else’s, and that’s ok! Preparation is part of the power move.

Before heading to your workout, make sure you’ve got the essentials packed and ready:

• Low snacks like glucose tabs, fruit snacks, or a small juice box (bonus if they’re easy to tear open mid-rep)

• Backup supplies for your pump or CGM, especially if you’re working out far from home

• Skin Grip patches to keep your devices secure through sweat, stretching, and burpees

• A labeled pouch or small case so everything’s easy to find in a rush
  
  

You might also want to talk to your provider about enabling exercise mode on your insulin pump or adjusting settings before high-intensity workouts. 

2. Speak Up (When You Want To)

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to how much you should share about your diabetes at the gym, but here’s the truth: you’re allowed to advocate for yourself.

If you’re joining a new fitness class, consider letting the instructor know you might need to pause or snack mid-session. If you work with a personal trainer, a quick convo about your diabetes can help them better support you. Self-advocacy sets yourself up for success.

A few ways to start the conversation:

• “Hey, just a heads up. I wear a medical device for diabetes, so if you see me checking something or snacking, that’s why.”

• “If I ever sit down or take a break, I’m just handling my blood sugar. It’s nothing to worry about.”

• “I’ve got what I need on me, but I’ll let you know if I need help.”
  

3. Sweat Happens: Make Sure Your Devices Stay Put

A tough workout should challenge your muscles, not your diabetes devices. Whether you're lifting weights, running intervals, or flowing through hot yoga, you need your CGM or pump site to stay stuck through it all.

That’s where Skin Grip comes in.

Our adhesive patches are:

• Sweatproof and waterproof

• Built to last through long workouts

• Designed to flex with your body, not peel off it
  
  

Use Skin Grip patches before workouts to reinforce your CGM or pump, especially if you’ve got a fresh site or are prone to sweating a lot. The more secure your tech, the more you can focus on movement, not maintenance.

4. Pack Snacks That Move With You

If you’ve ever scrambled to find a vending machine or felt your blood sugar dip mid-rep, you know the importance of having snacks that travel well.

Top picks for gym bags:

• Glucose gels or fast-acting chews (they don’t melt, and they work fast)

• Fruit leather or dried mango strips

• A pouch of applesauce or a squeezable yogurt if you have a cooler bag

• Mini sports drink or juice box
  
  

Keep a few options tucked in your gym bag, your car, or even your shoe cubby. You never know when you (or another T1D in the wild!) might need them.

5. Create a Gym Routine That Works for You

There’s no right way to “do” the gym, especially when you live with diabetes. Some days will be high-energy and intense. Others might require a slower pace or a little more attention to your body’s signals. That’s all valid.

A few gentle reminders:

• You don’t need to explain your diabetes to anyone unless you want to.

• Taking a break, checking your CGM, or stepping outside is not a sign of weakness.

• You belong in the gym just as much as anyone else.
  
  

Building confidence takes time, but each day you show up is proof of your strength. Not just physically, but in the way you advocate for yourself, plan ahead, and prioritize your health.

Final Thoughts: You Deserve to Move Fearlessly

Going to the gym with diabetes doesn’t mean working around your condition. It means working with it. With the right prep, mindset, and support, you can walk into any fitness space with confidence.

Skin Grip is here to help you stick with it – literally. Our patches are designed for active bodies and bold lives, so you can focus on your goals without worrying about your tech peeling off mid-sweat.

So go lift, run, stretch, flow, and dance. Your diabetes isn’t holding you back, and neither should your devices.

Need patches that move with you?
Shop Skin Grip for Dexcom, Libre, Omnipod, and more. Because your devices should work as hard as you do.