25 Practical Gym Bag Essentials For Busy Work-To-Gym Schedules

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It’s quite common to take a fitness class or go to the gym before or after work, especially for those who work full-time jobs at an office. While there are many hours in a day, between commutes and adult obligations, sometimes bookending your workday with movement is the only option if you want to fit in time to sweat.

However, it’s not always easy to carry everything you need for both work and the gym. If you aren’t sure what to bring to the gym or you’re struggling to select your gym bag essentials, we’re here to help. From picking the right work-to-gym bag to packing necessities like clothes, toiletries, and electronics, we’ve got it all.

Price Reference (average price):

$ | Under $25
$$ |
Between $25-$50
$$$ |
More than $50

Work to Gym Bags

Best Gym Bag Essentials - Yoga Mat Gym Bag

Image: Amazon

Yoga Mat Gym Bag

Etronik

Price: $$

This gym bag is cute enough to double as a work tote with enough space to hold everything for a weekend trip when needed. It has inner pockets and a separate shoe compartment for your cycling, climbing, or running shoes so nothing else has to come in contact with them. 

Why We Love It: With drawstrings, a shoulder strap, and a key ring hook, you’ll be able to transition from work to workout with ease.


Best Gym Bag Essentials - Baggu Sport Backpack

Image: Baggu

Sport Backpack

Baggu

Price: $$$

I use this exact backpack for my gym days, and it’s perfect for everything. It fits my water bottle, notebook, wallet, keys, headphones, phone, sunscreen, resistance bands—and my boyfriend’s, too. I love the water (and sweat)-resistant materials and the adjustable shoulder straps–you could also pack a snack or a book just as easily as your laptop or lunchbox. 

Why We Love It: Lots of zippered pockets to keep things within reach but out of sight from others.


Best Gym Bag Essentials - Hue Laptop Duffel

Image: Calpak

Hue Laptop Duffel

Calpak

Price: $$$

This laptop duffel is perfect for any professional. Between the sleeve (large enough for a 15-inch laptop), pockets, and foldable material, it will fit everything you need for a long day. Whether you go to the gym before or after work, this faux leather duffel will hold your gym essentials and still look business-appropriate. 

Why We Love It: The minimal design is perfect for city transportation. 


Best Gym Bag Essentials - YPB Iconic Tote Bag

Image: Abercrombie and Fitch

YPB Iconic Tote Bag

Abercrombie & Fitch

Price: $$$

This tote bag is a great pick for an active day. It has numerous pockets both inside and out, including two drink pockets that can keep your water, protein shake, or morning coffee upright. The bag is also quite large, perfect for an extra outfit, shower items, or files for work. 

Why We Love It: It’s a simple and effective workout bag that holds everything. 


Best Gym Bag Essentials - Madewell Lorimer Backpack

Image: Madewell

The Lorimer Backpack

Madewell

Price: $$$

If you want a bag that looks more office-friendly than gym-friendly, opt for this leather backpack. It’ll hold your work and gym essentials (planners and a change of clothes), all while looking professional and cute, making your post-work plans less obvious.

Why We Love It: The Italian leather patinas beautifully, and you can have your name stamped onto it. 


Gym Essentials: Clothing

Best Gym Bag Essentials - Dragon Fit High Waisted Shorts

Image: Amazon

High Waist Yoga Shorts

Dragon Fit

Price: $

My biggest piece of advice when it comes to gym clothing: Wear pockets when you can! Pockets keep your most valuable items close when there’s nowhere to set them down. Plus, these affordable high-waisted shorts have great reviews!

Why We Love It: They’re squat-proof, come in dozens of colors, and have pockets!


Best Gym Bag Essentials - Lululemon Leggings

Image: Lululemon

Wunder Train High-Rise Pocket Tights

Lululemon

Price: $$$

The legging’s soft material feels lightweight while a hidden drawstring ensures they won’t slip down whether you’re at a Zumba class or lifting weights. You could even get away with wearing them at the office when paired with clogs and an oversized button-down! 

Why We Love It: These leggings are breathable, sweat-wicking, and stretchy. 


Best Gym Bag Essentials - All in Motion High Neck Sports Bra

Image: Target

High Neck Sports Bra

All In Motion

Price: $

A good sports bra is easier said than done, but we like this light-support design. The longline style can be worn underneath a shirt or tank or simply on its own. Plus, the cutout in the back helps you stay cool during class.

Why We Love It: It has full coverage and comes in four cute colors. 


Best Gym Bag Essentials - Outdoor Voices Free Form Bodysuit

Image: Outdoor Voices

FreeForm Bodysuit

Outdoor VOices

Price: $$$

For those who love a unitard, this bodysuit is great for a pre-or post-work sweat sesh. The stretchy fabric is comfortable all around, and with a built-in bra and non-slip shorts, you’ll only have to pack this in your gym bag.

Why We Love It: It’s a one-piece gym outfit that barely takes up space in your tote.


Best Gym Bag Essentials - Nike MC Trainer 2 Premium

Image: Nike

MC Trainer 2 Premium

Nike

Price: $$$

A solid pair of Nikes is always a good option, whether you’re playing games on a court, lifting at the squat rack, going for a jog, or chasing the bus to make it to pilates class.

Why We Love It: They’re a multipurpose shoe that’s ready for any activity you sign up for. 


Gym Essentials: Toiletries 

Best Gym Bag Essentials - Clean Skin Club Face Towels

Image: Amazon

Face Towels

Clean SKin Club

Price: $

Makeup, bacteria, and sweat can clog your pores, which is why face towelettes are a gym essential. These biobased disposable face towels will remove makeup and sweat so you can leave the gym with a clean, clear face. 

Why We Love It: They’ll remove sweat and makeup so you have fresh skin post-workout sesh.


Best Gym Bag Essentials - Touchland Hand Sanitizers

Image: Amazon

Juicy Hand Sanitizers

Touchland

Price: $$

Ah, hand sanitizer…keep it with you for clean hands after lifting weights (they’re never as clean as you think). Need I say more?

Why We Love It: These misting hand sanitizers fit easily in a gym bag pocket.


Best Gym Bag Essentials - Crave Naturals Detangling Brush

Image: Amazon

Detangling Brush

Crave Naturals

Price: $

Even if you don’t shower at the gym, you’ll want to have a brush. This bestselling, expert detangler guarantees you won’t leave the gym looking a mess, especially after a quick shower. 

Why We Love It: It detangles hair, wet or dry.


Best Gym Bag Essentials - Rosyclo Cloud Slippers

Image: Amazon

Cloud Slippers

Rosyclo

Price: $

If you’re showering at the gym, you’ll need shower shoes to keep gross bacteria away from your toes. Level-up to cute cloud slippers that feel good and don’t feel like you’re back in a dorm shower.

Why We Love It: These popular cushioned cloud slippers are waterproof.


Best Gym Bag Essentials - Cadence 7 Capsule Set

Image: Cadence

7 Capsule Set

Keep Your Cadence

Price: $$$

I swear by the Cadence container system. I’ve used my hexagons for everything from taking my favorite moisturizer across the globe to keeping my jewelry safe while at the community fitness center. 

Why We Love It: These containers have endless purposes, and they’re great if you want to keep your usual products on hand but don’t want to carry a shower caddy. 


Best Gym Bag Essentials - Package Free Biodegradable Hair Ties

Image: Package Free Shop

Biodegradable Hair Ties

Package Free Shop

Price: $

If you’ve ever forgotten or snapped a hair tie at the gym, you’ll know it’s a day-ruiner. Keep a handful in your bag for all occasions; you never know when you’ll need them! 

Why We Love It: These eco-friendly, biodegradable elastics will hold your hair in place without pulling. 


Gym Essentials: Electronics 

Best Gym Bag Essentials - Raycon Fitness Earbuds

Image: Amazon

The Fitness Earbud

Raycon

Price: $$$

Look, AirPods are great for jamming out while working or taking calls, but they aren’t the best at staying in your ear once you’re active. Instead, get comfortable earbuds designed for fitness, with noise canceling and awareness settings. 

Why We Love It: These earbuds fit snugly so you won’t lose them when your hands are busy.


Best Gym Bag Essentials - Run Smartphone Armband

Image: Amazon

Rue Tie Smartphone Armband

Bone

Price: $

An armband is a great solution for wired headphones or keeping items close without pockets. It’s easy to toss into your gym bag, and it’ll keep your phone secure and within reach. 

Why We Love It: The exterior band holds your phone without covering the screen. 


Best Gym Bag Essentials -  Bose Soundlink Micro

Image: Amazon

Soundlink Micro

Bose

Price: $$$

Sometimes, it’s more fun to blast music rather than listen in-ear. Whether you have the gym to yourself or a garage workout spot, Bose is known for their excellent sound quality, so this reliable speaker is well worth the price. 

Why We Love It: This speaker is the perfect size to tuck into your workout bag. 


Best Gym Bag Essentials - iPhone Charger Cables

Image: Amazon

iPhone Charger

Coreykin

Price: $

If you’re like me, your workday always drains your phone battery. Whether I’m taking calls and answering emails or doing a crossword and listening to podcasts, my phone is usually hovering around 20% by the time I leave my desk. 

Why We Love It: A reliable charger will save you from listening to that random radio station your gym plays.


Best Gym Bag Essentials - Forerunner 35 GPS Watch

Image: Amazon

Forerunner 35 GPS Watch

GARMIN

Price: $$$

If you’re a runner, invest in a running watch. Not only can you use the watch throughout the day to track steps and health metrics, but this model has GPS and Bluetooth that will accompany your run with accurate tracking and reliable stats.

Why We Love It: Garmin has smartwatch capabilities and automatically uploads your data. 


Gym Essentials: Workout Add-ons

Best Gym Bag Essentials - Gymbee Resistance Bands

Image: Amazon

Fabric Resistance Bands

Gymbee

Price: $

Not all gyms are well-equipped, so bring a booty band for everything from activation exercises and mobility work to leveling up lunges or squats. 

Why We Love It: This three-pack gives you a variety of resistances to train with.


Best Gym Bag Essentials - Assisted Pull Up Band

Image: Amazon

Assisted Pull-Up Band

Serious Steel Fitness

Price: $

Similar to resistance bands, this longer power band can be used for assisted pull-ups, bicep curls, and numerous back exercises. 

Why We Love It: If you’re unsure what to put in your gym bag, this is a great all-around prop.


Best Gym Bag Essentials - Combination Padlock

Image: Amazon

3-Digit Padlock

Zarker

Price: $

Don’t forget a lock if you’re using community lockers! While spinning padlocks are classic, we prefer this easy-to-use design.

Why We Love It: It’ll keep your belongings safe, especially valuable tech. 


Best Gym Bag Essentials - Orgain Vegan Protein

Image: Amazon

Vegan Sport Protein

Orgain

Price: $$

You likely won’t carry this protein container with you, but it can be great to pack a serving for before or after your workout. 

Why We Love It: The vegan powder doesn’t taste chalky, and with 30 grams of protein, you won’t be starving on your commute home.


Best Gym Bag Essentials - Workout Notebooks

Image: Amazon

Workout Notebooks

Portage Store

Price: $

If you want to catalog your exercises, a notebook with pre-designed pages is handy. You can quickly scribble your movements down for future reference.

Why We Love It: The notebook pages have areas for sets, reps, weight, exercises, nutrition, and mood!

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