The Best Gym Bags for Every Type of Workout, According to Personal Trainers
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From backpacks to crossbodies, these gym bags will stash everything from snacks to sweaty gear.
Shape / Kristin Kempa
When you envision a successful workout, you’re likely seeing yourself reaching a personal best on the bench press and getting in that tough treadmill workout with ease. While your physical fitness and overall awesomeness are undoubtedly helping you to crush that workout, it can also help if you have the right essentials with you at the gym, too. Enter: the gym bag, also known as your place to tuck away post-workout snacks, lotion, and deodorant to feel clean and fresh afterward, and clothes so you can walk out the door and head to your next destination.
Morit Summers, CPT, founder of FORM Fitness Brooklyn, says that the top thing that a gym bag provides is convenience.
“Many people go from work to the gym or gym to work or school,” she says. “A gym bag many times is also the bag you’re using all day. So, it’s important that your gym bag can fit all of your necessities as well as be something you are happy to walk around with both for fashion and function.”
Yes, a gym bag can be part of your outfit, whether you’re in work clothes or wearing your gym outfit. All with a stylish-meets-functional vibe, we asked Elethia Gay, health coach for Alexander Q, a fitness training program, to share her top picks for the best gym bags around. Here’s what she shared—excuse us while we add a gym bag, or two, to our carts.
Best Gym Bag Overall: Lululemon City Adventurer Large Duffle Bag
Why We Like It: We love the many, many compartments this bag has, from a biggie at the bottom for shoes to zip-up ones inside.
It’s Worth Noting: It’s likely not large enough to fit a standard laptop.
Gay says this gym-bag wonder has “a compartment for almost anything you can imagine.” While it may not be able to accommodate a laptop (something to keep in mind if your gym bag doubles as your work bag), you can easily drop your tablet inside, along with any of your must-haves for the gym.
“The pockets are not cheap and thin,” Gay observes. “Your items are held firmly in place.”
Additionally, the travel-friendly handles make it an easy grab-and go-bag, which is of particular interest if you’re having to place it in an overhead compartment. Traveling between two cities on a train regularly made this one a favorite for Gay.
Price at time of publish: $168
Materials: Polyester, recycled polyester, nylon | Capacity: 29 liters | Dimensions: 8.1" x 9.3" x 11.6"
Best Gym Bag Under $50: ETRONIK Travel Bag with Belt Bag
Why We Like It: It’s not just a gym bag—it comes with three bonus bags for the utmost in organization.
It’s Worth Noting: The materials may not be as high-quality as the ones that pricier bags have.
This is an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink kind of bag. It’s not just a gym bag—additionally, it comes with a belt bag, a medium bag that can be used for makeup, and a drawstring bag for shoes. And a zippered waterproof PVC-lined pocket inside is a definite must-have for you swimmers out there.
Calling it “an everything bag that doesn’t break the bank,” Gay also points out that it even has a USB charging port, which is great if you need to power up any devices on your way to work or the gym. If you’re a regular Amazon shopper, you may already be aware of this fact, but at times, low-priced Amazon finds may not “feel” as luxe as more expensive bags out there from name brands, so that’s something to keep in mind.
Price at time of publish: $44
Materials: Waterproof nylon | Capacity: 37 liters | Dimensions: 18.5" x 8.7" x 14.2"
Best Gym Bag for Yoga: Puma Women’s Studio Bag
Why We Like It: The standout shade of this bag sets it apart from all the neutral-hued gym bags out there.
It’s Worth Noting: It’s advised to not use detergent when cleaning this bag.
Gay says that the deep burgundy color of this bag “exudes sophistication and fierceness,” two things that, in our book, should always be used to describe a perfect gym bag. But apart from style, the bag also carries a bungee-cord design that’s ideal for carrying a yoga mat—no more lugging around a mat separately from your bag. Also, it has an inside zip pocket for any of those small-sized yoga essentials, like hair bands or a rolled-up strap.
Just be forewarned that the product description advises against washing this bag with detergent, which sometimes is welcome if your bag gets dirty or is on the stinky side. Instead, as the description says, you’ll wipe this one clean with a damp cloth.
Price at time of publish: $50
Materials: Polyester | Capacity: 20 liters | Dimensions: 19" x 12" x 5"
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Best for Commuting: Béis The Sport Carryall
Why We Like It: Sleek and stylish, it’ll go with your work ensemble and looks eye-pleasing enough to keep it out next to your desk all day long.
It’s Worth Noting: It requires a tiny bit more effort to carry than, say, a backpack that’s hands-free.
Referring to this bag as “suitable for almost any sport,” Gay loves how this bag transitions from gym to business with a pocket for a laptop and a clip for keys. And if you’re traveling for work, the bag easily lies flat on top of luggage with straps that can seamlessly wrap around your luggage handle.
And while an over-the-shoulder bag requires a little bit more effort than the ease of a backpack, the plus is that you can safely monitor this bag as you’re walking down the street as opposed to a backpack that has no line of sight, as Gay notes.
Price at time of publish: $88
Materials: Nylon, Recycled Polyester | Capacity: 17 liters | Dimensions: 18.5" x 13.7" x 5.1"
Best Backpack: Lululemon New Crew Backpack 22L
Why We Like It: While we love an iconic Lululemon belt bag, the backpack is just as slick and cool and holds a lot more than those diminutive bags.
It’s Worth Noting: Several reviewers noted that the straps were too short, so it could make wearing it kind of uncomfortable.
Have you had an extra-intense workout? This bag will be just the thing you need to carry afterward, since the fabric shell is water-repellent and won’t get stained from sweat or moisture from pool water. This makes it easy to pack and toss on your back with no worries, as Gay says.
In addition, the outside luggage strap makes travel a breeze, and it even has an interior padded pocket for carting around a 15” laptop. “You can literally take this bag anywhere,” Gay says. Just note the short straps, which could be a concern if comfort is your top-of-mind priority or if you’re planning to wear it over a bulky sweatshirt or winter coats.
Price at time of publish: $98
Materials: Nylon, recycled polyester, elastomultiester, elastane | Capacity: 22 liters | Dimensions: 11.4" x 7.3" x 16.5"
Best with Shoe Compartment: Nike One Club Duffel
Why We Like It: The bungee cords on the outside mean that you can carry your yoga mat and your shoes with the help of this bag.
It’s Worth Noting: It’s a fairly sizable bag, which may be something to keep in mind if you’re petite or would prefer a smaller bag.
It’s big, with a capacity of 24 liters and plenty of bells and whistles. Think: a separated zippered shoe compartment, a variety of pockets on the outside, and 50% recycled polyester fibers if sustainability is important to you. Gay believes that the bungee cord on the outside not only makes this bag functional, but also acts as a stylish touch. She also likes the “vented area for wet gear, shoes, sneakers, or sweaty gym clothes.”
Price at time of publish: $67
Materials: Polyester | Capacity: 24 liters | Dimensions: 13" x 20" x 9"
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Best Small Gym Bag: Alo Yoga Cross-Body Bucket Bag
Why We Like It: Since it’s a cross-body style, this bag is hands-free, making commuting with a gym bag easy-peasy.
It’s Worth Noting: There’s no way this bag is going to fit a set of clothes or a pair of shoes.
If packing your clothes and shoes in a gym bag isn’t a priority, then opt for minimalism with this bag. Gay says that the reviews of this bag are glowing, and it’s easy to imagine why.
“It’s compact with space for necessities,” she says. “Occasionally, we need that ‘no locker required’ gym bag that can be placed on the side of the treadmill. Pack a wallet, keys, ChapStick, workout gloves, and a water bottle, and you’re set! Plus, it has the convenience of an adjustable strap for personal comfort.”
Price at time of publish: $78
Materials: Nylon
Best Large Gym Bag: L.L. Bean Boundless Quilted Duffle
Why We Like It: L.L. Bean has been long-trusted for its quality.
It’s Worth Noting: If you travel on a jam-packed train or maneuver through crowds on city streets on your way to work or the gym, it could get in the way.
This ginormous gym bag is all about organization. It has a hefty main compartment, tons of outer pockets that include stretch pockets to fit water bottles, a fleece-lined pocket for items you want to protect, and a padded section for a laptop.
Gay loves the idea of being able to keep her spin shoes in a separate compartment with this bag. “No more sharing shoe bags or searching for one before heading out the door,” she says, adding that this bag will keep you organized while traveling to and from the gym. “The cherry on top is the sleeve for my luggage,” she says.
Price at time of publish: $149
Materials: Nylon | Dimensions: 12.25" x 21.5" x 8"
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Best Luxury: Alexander McQueen Men's Nylon Gym Bag
Why We Like It: Durable and high-quality, this bag will last years and years.
It’s Worth Noting: Gym bags often get a lot of love along with wear and tear, so you might balk at spending a month’s rent on such a bag.
If high design is at the tippy-top of your gym bag wish list, may we present this beauty from Alexander McQueen. Although it’s marketed to men, we think it works for everyone, with handles that stylishly crisscross the outside and blue lining that provides a fun jolt of color. “The pop of color on the inside is like sunshine on a cloudy workout day,” Gay says. The bag is also a good size for holding clothes, shoes, and more.
“The design is fire,” Gay says. “I would not save this luxury for men only. This is for the fab and ‘not frugal’ athlete.” But keep in mind that the bag doesn’t have a ton of pockets, so it might be bigger on form rather than function.
Price at time of publish: $1,450
Materials: Nylon | Dimensions: 19.7" x 10.2" x 10.2"
How We Selected
We started our search for the best gym bags and picked up some must-know info by interviewing two fitness experts: Morit Summers, CPT, founder of FORM Fitness Brooklyn and based in New York City, and Elethia Gay, a health coach for Alexander Q located in Baltimore. With their expert insights, we discovered just how essential gym bags are for going from work or school to the gym, the features that can be key to include, and how to clean those bags, too. Gay shared her top recommendations for gym bags based on her extensive experience, asking her to expand her insights on capacity, features, and styles. Between the well-informed words of wisdom and top-tier recs, we curated this list for readers.
What to Know About Gym Bags
Capacity
Although capacity isn’t always included in product listings for gym bags, as you may have noticed above, it is important, and at the very least, can be eyed up from the product photo. Summers says that most people need to fit a lot of stuff into their bags even when they don’t need any fitness-specific equipment. This can often entail a change of clothing, makeup bag, perhaps a change of shoes, a water bottle, or even a computer. “I’m sure we all attempt to carry around as little as possible, but even the basics take up space,” Summers notes.
Organization
The level of organization you need depends on what you tend to bring with you to the gym. Summers says that for organizational purposes, a gym bag will often have different pockets and sections for your necessities.
“For example, I have a side pocket for my shower flip-flops that I have to carry back and forth to the gym. Having a bag that’s organized helps me not have to spend time overthinking what I will need to pack every day,” Summers says.
Commuting
Think about this: you’re likely already carrying a bag that you need for work. Why not make it pull double-duty and have it serve as your gym bag as well? Plus, who wants to lug around multiple bags? As Summers says, “I personally don’t want to have to carry more than one bag, so having my gym bag that can fit all of my stuff makes my commute easier.”
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you clean a gym bag?
Summers always makes sure to empty hers out and toss it into the wash whenever it looks like it could use a cleaning. She lets it hang dry, since it could potentially be ruined in the dryer.
“It’s also a great time to go through my bag and see if there is anything that doesn’t need to be in there,” she says. “Or if I should replenish any necessities such as deodorant, tampons, my extra underwear stash, etc.” In general, always remember to follow the manufacturer directions for the best possible care of your bag.
What staples should stay in your gym bag 24/7?
Summers includes staples that work for a wide variety of gym-goers: deodorant, lotion, a charger, a protein bar, shower flip-flops, and extra pairs of socks and/or undies. Remember, plan for enough room to also stash a change of clothes and/or shoes if needed.
Why Trust Shape
Shelby Deering is a freelance health and lifestyle writer who has been working full-time as a freelance writer for nearly a decade. After earning her master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, she worked as a magazine editor for nearly seven years. Since then, she has written on health topics widely ranging from general health to running advice, contributing to print outlets and websites including USA Today, Prevention, Runner’s World, Healthline, Good Housekeeping, HealthCentral, and more. As a runner who often makes her way to the gym, she knows that the right gym bag can actually make your workout better.
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