A guide to choosing the best gym bag

Shoes, tick, shorts, tick, shirt, tick. Yes! You’ve got all your gym gear sorted – but what about a bag to carry it all? Sashay to your next workout with a swish new gym bag.

In this guide you’ll learn how to choose a gym bag that fits your needs, lifestyle, and routine.

The benefits of a gym bag

Beyond carrying your items and gear, your gym bag can be part of your exercise routine. The benefits of an organised gym bag include:

• Adding motivation to train by having a bag dedicated to exercising
• Having a packed bag is one less excuse to help you leave the house on a cold morning
• Saving time by keeping items in easy to access compartments
• Keeping your organised, which has been shown to improve your mental wellbeing.  

3 things to consider in a gym bag

1. Lifestyle fit

Choosing the right gym bag affects how you exercise and get to the gym. Running a self-inventory of your current lifestyle can help you make the right decision when purchasing a new gym bag. Ask yourself:

• Does this bag fit my schedule?
• Will it be best for my commute to and from the gym?
• Will it carry all my gear?
• Is it convenient and easy to pack?
• Does it feel comfortable?

2. Comfort

The best-looking gym bag may turn heads, but if it doesn’t feel comfortable, it’ll quickly end up in your cupboard. When choosing a new gym bag make sure:

• The straps are wide, padded, and can be adjusted
• The bag has compartments to help distribute weight
• You factor how you’ll carry it. Gym bags come in several styles: backpack style, crossbody, and top handle styles
• It can fit into assigned spaces (lockers, under seating, etc.)
• It’s strong enough to carry your gear.

3. Durability

Many gym bags are made with durability in mind. Materials such as nylon, canvas, polyester and leather are used, with some containing waterproof compartments for easy maintenance. Here’s a quick durability checklist:

• Check the bag is made from resilient materials
• Look for double stitching on seams and reinforced stitching where the straps are attached to the bag
• Make sure the bag has large zippers – test they don’t snag when being used
• Make sure there isn’t any loose threads – they will only get worse as you use it
• Inspect the bag and see if it has a padded base or rubber feet -  this will help protect its contents. 

Comparing the best gym bags based on your needs

Here’s a rundown of common gym bags, including who they’re best suited to, and which style of training they best align with: 

Gym duffel bag 

Large and durable, duffel bags are great for carrying bulky equipment like yoga mats, boxing gloves, and weights for strength training. Some gym duffel bags have compartments for clothing, shoes, and other gym equipment. 

• Best for: people looking for a reliable all-rounder. Carrying lots of gym gear. 
• Popular option: Under Armour Undeniable 5.0 Duffle – RRP $60.

Drawstring bags

Lightweight and easy to carry, these bags are made for quick workouts, or sessions that don’t require a lot of equipment. 

• Best for: people packing a light change of clothes and a water bottle.
• Popular option: Nike Heritage Drawstring Bag – RRP $30.

Gym backpack

Best for travelling to and from the gym, a backpack is perfect for work-to-gym transitions. Some versions even have separate laptop sleeves to help with the commute. 

• Best for: professionals and students travelling to gym.
• Popular option: Under Armour Hustle 6.0 Pro Backpack – RRP $100.

Specialised sports bags 

Made for specific sports, they come with compartments to hold sporting equipment, such as, racquets, balls or wet towels and bathers in waterproof sections. 

• Best for: people playing specific sports. 
• Popular option: Speedo Vanquisher 35L Backpack – RRP $100.

Tote gym bags 

Made for easy access and when you’re carry a lot of items, tote gym bags don’t have any separate compartments and struggle to carry heavier equipment. This bag works well with someone who may prefer going to group exercises where equipment is provided by the gym, or prefer training on the gym floor.

• Best for: short sessions or training. People who don’t have a lot of gear. 
• Popular option: Under Armour Studio Lite Tote – RRP $50.

Put your bag to the test: join a Virgin Active Group Class 

If you’re after an opportunity to use (or flaunt) your new gym bag, join a Virgin Active Group Class. You can find classes for Reformer Pilates, Yoga, Grid Training, Boxing, Cycle and Lift Club.