What to pack: 5 things the CEO of Barry's Bootcamp always takes traveling

Barry’s Bootcamp CEO Joey Gonzalez never aspired to become chief executive of any company, let alone one that throws down hour-long, high-intensity workouts against a backdrop of bass-thumping, cranium-pounding music.

But after trying his hand at acting in his teens and early twenties, Gonzalez eventually became disenchanted with the Hollywood scene and began taking Barry’s Bootcamp classes once, sometimes twice, a day. His healthy obsession paid off: Gonzalez became a Barry’s Bootcamp instructor in 2004 and worked his way up to COO in 2006 before becoming CEO in 2015.

Today, Gonzalez, who lives in Los Angeles with husband Jonathan Rollo and their two children, spends at least one week per month traveling for work as the fitness chain expands beyond its 80 or so current locations in the U.S. and around the world, to locales including Melbourne and Doha, Qatar. The popular fitness chain is reportedly also exploring a sale this year that could value Barry’s Bootcamp at nearly $700 million, according to Bloomberg in October 2019. (Barry’s Bootcamp declined to comment on the report.)

“I’m fortunate to be in a position where work is my pleasure,” says Gonzalez. “I absolutely love traveling to cities that have Barry’s, one of my favorites being the Hamptons. My family and I try to spend a little time out there every summer, where we not only disconnect and enjoy the laidback lifestyle, but also where I’m able to teach classes and connect with clients that I don’t get to see often.”

Here are the five essentials the fitness-focused chief executive never travels without:

Dyson Supersonic

Think of the Dyson Supersonic as the Ferrari of hair dryers. The critically acclaimed device sports a digital motor that spins up to 110,000 revolutions per minute, pumping out 13 liters of air each second in a controlled fashion, making for fast hair drying. Meanwhile, the Supersonic’s heat control feature measures airflow temperature to minimize heat damage to your hair.

“Dyson is pretty much all I use at home, and luckily we have them in the locker rooms at Barry’s as well,” Gonzalez says. “My schedule while traveling can be overwhelming, so I make a concentrated effort to be efficient in all aspects of life, personal hair care included.” SRP: $400.

Calm app

Meditation has been proved time and again to offer a slew of benefits, such as reducing stress, managing anxiety, and increasing attention span. And as people spend more time on their devices, they’re also seeking ways to manage feelings of well-being. Calm, which is backed by investors such as actor Matthew McConaughey and carries a reported $1 billion valuation, has well over 1 million subscribers, who pay for the app’s meditation and music audio tracks aimed at helping people focus, relax, or sleep.

“Calm is my meditation app of choice,” Gonzalez says. “I do it 10 to 15 minutes every day. It has helped me tremendously to focus my efforts on what’s really important.” SRP: $70 a year.

Almonds

One of Gonzalez’s secrets to cutting a toned figure? Intermittent fasting. The Barry’s Bootcamp CEO is a staunch believer in cycling between periods of fasting and eating, which has been claimed to be an effective routine for weight loss.

“I’m a huge fan of intermittent fasting, so I always make sure to have almonds on me in the event I need something healthy to break the fast,” Gonzalez explains. “It really helps with all your systems, from nervous to digestion. The theory is that your body needs a certain time to do certain things, and if you are eating throughout the day, your body’s focus is primarily on digestion even as you sleep.” SRP: $9 per pound, on average.

Adidas Ultraboost 20

When he travels, Gonzalez prefers donning a pair of Adidas Ultraboost 20 running sneakers, which pair high performance with extreme comfort. The sneakers feature a knitted, reinforced upper half that hugs the foot with a sock-like fit, while the elastane midsole and heel deliver a good level of comfort and support.

“I usually wear my Adidas Ultraboosts on the plane,” adds Gonzalez. “They’re the perfect intersection between fashion and fitness.” SRP: $180.

Lululemon x Barry’s Stronger As One apparel

Fitness companies including SoulCycle frequently offer their own lines of workout apparel, and Barry’s Bootcamp is no different. The company’s Stronger As One line, created in collaboration with Lululemon and released in July 2019, serves up activewear pieces in a fierce color palette of reds, maroons, muted pinks, grays, and blacks that cut a striking look. They’re also built to last, thanks to breathable mesh and abrasion-resistant fabrics. SRP: $58–$188.