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10 Bags That Will Make You Excited to Hit the Gym

  • Kuston Sports Gym Bag

    If "basic" is your middle name, this no-frills duffel is perfect for all your lifestyle and gym needs. With a side-access pocket for stinky shoes and a waterproof interior pocket for sweaty shirts, you'll never have to worry about your perspiration stench lingering on the bag's fabric or your clean clothes inside. We're partial to the heather gray, but the bag comes in four other patterns if you're looking for something a bit flashier.

    Available in various colors at Amazon (starting at $23.99)

    Photo courtesy of Amazon.

  • FocusGear Ultimate Gym Bag

    If you've ever owned a gym bag and thought, "Clearly the company making this has never been to the gym before!" get ready for a bag that has all the features you need and then some. According to Amazon, FocusGear used reviews from other gym bags to research exactly what the people want and need. And thus, the Ultimate Gym Bag was born. Users will find two bottle holders, two pockets for wet or sweaty clothes and a main pocket that fully opens so you'll never be fumbling around to find your earbuds.

    Available at Amazon ($24.99)

    Photo courtesy of Amazon.

  • Under Armour Hustle 3.0 Backpack

    When your hands are busy with your phone, keys, headphones, ponytail holder and water bottle, you'll be happy you opted to buy this gym backpack. Anyone who hits the gym right after work will appreciate the soft-lined laptop sleeve, and the zippered shoe compartment at the bottom is the perfect place to hide away your sneakers until it's time to leave work to get to work.

    Available in a variety of colors at Amazon ($54.99)

    Photo courtesy of Amazon.

  • Avia Sport Carryall

    Yogis, your days of fumbling with your yoga mat are over—this bag from Avia comes equipped with sturdy straps right across the front to tightly secure your mat for an easy transition from car to studio. This, plus a roomy interior and elastic cinch water bottle pockets on both ends of the bag make this a functional piece of gear for anyone whose 60 minutes at yoga are the calmest part of their day.

    Available at Amazon ($27.99)

    Photo courtesy of Amazon.

  • Matador Daylite 16 Backpack

    Hiking is one of our favorite ways to grab some extra steps and embrace a little ecotherapy. Hitting the trails with some essentials (sunscreen, snacks, etc.) is important, especially if you're opting for more strenuous hikes, so owning a comfortable backpack is a must. If you're someone who travels often or prefers less clutter, you can't go wrong with this pack from Matador, which folds down into a palm-size case for easy packing. Unleash the wanderlust inside and grab this backpack for your next adventure.

    Available at Matador ($49.99)

    Photo courtesy of Matador.

  • Malirona Large Workout Bag

    For a bag that doubles for both travel and the gym, you can't do much better than this multifunctional tote. With an attractive canvas exterior and snaps to keep your straps together, the bag's separate zippered shoe compartment works well for anyone who needs a quick wardrobe change before hitting the gym.

    Available at Amazon ($25.99)

    Photo courtesy of Amazon.

  • JEMMA Birdie

    For women who pride themselves on their flawless office/street/gym style, the rough exterior of many gym bags doesn't exactly jive with their carefully curated, chic wardrobe. But what's a trendy gal supposed to do when the gym comes calling? Never miss a stylish step with the Birdie bag, which is as gorgeous as it is functional. The soft Italian tote features an adorable interior print, separate shoe compartment, laundry bag, interior pockets for your cell and laptop, and a cosmetic case, ensuring you never leave home without the essentials again.

    Available at JEMMA ($198)

    Photo courtesy of JEMMA.

  • Nike Brasilia Training Duffel Bag

    Remember Mary Poppins' magic bottomless tote bag? Let me introduce you to the gym bag version. This tiny tote has enough space to store the essentials and then some, while being small enough so you don't anger anyone by bumping them on the train during your rush-hour commute. Various colors, starting at

    Available in various colors at Amazon (starting at $28.98)

    Photo courtesy of Amazon.

  • Adidas Studio Duffel Bag

    Stylish, structured and versatile, this bag from Adidas hits all the right notes. The shoulder and cross-body straps offer two comfortable carrying options, and the interior has smaller mesh compartments to separate your "sweaty stuff" from the "little stuff." Reviewers love that they can transport everything from workout clothes to shower shoes in the bag without having to push and shove to make things fit. starting at

    Available at Amazon (starting at $44.54)

    Photo courtesy of Amazon.

  • Vooray Roadie Duffel

    Prints, prints, prints! For those who live life out loud and can't fathom carrying around just any boring gym bag, these bags come in a variety of cute prints and textures, ranging from polka dots to camo.


    Available at Amazon (starting at $34.99)


    Photo courtesy of Amazon.

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10 Bags That Will Make You Excited to Hit the Gym

By: Alicia Capetillo, Editor-in-Chief

While some may covet their Coaches, Birkins or Louis Vuittons, we're more about well-constructed bags that can withstand some serious travel back and forth to the gym. Tassels and logos are nice and all, but features like a separate shoe compartment, extra straps for a yoga mat, internal organizational pockets and handles that make it easy to transport are all features that we look for in our ideal gym bag. A chic exterior that draws "Hey, where did you get that?" reactions doesn't hurt, though.

The perfect gym bag is different for different people: For some, a compact size is needed for small lockers, while others are all about a bag that is chic enough for the office. Depending on your workout routine and gym preferences, you might need specific compartments for extra gear or a heavy-duty lining to deal with sweaty or wet clothes. Much like Goldilocks searching for the perfect bowl of porridge, sometimes it can be quite the hunt to find the just-right bag to serve your workout needs.

We scoured the internet and asked some expert friends for their favorite bags, and feel confident that you're about to discover a bag that will fit your lifestyle perfectly while becoming the envy of all the other people at your gym, office or studio.
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Kuston Sports Gym Bag

If "basic" is your middle name, this no-frills duffel is perfect for all your lifestyle and gym needs. With a side-access pocket for stinky shoes and a waterproof interior pocket for sweaty shirts, you'll never have to worry about your perspiration stench lingering on the bag's fabric or your clean clothes inside. We're partial to the heather gray, but the bag comes in four other patterns if you're looking for something a bit flashier.

Available in various colors at Amazon (starting at $23.99)

Photo courtesy of Amazon.