A Busy Parent’s Guide to Choosing the Best Gym Bag

Parenthood is as fulfilling as it’s exhausting. Naturally, any good parent would be proud of everything their child achieved, especially knowing they helped the little one achieve them all through thick and thin. But as ‘heroic’ as they may seem, parents are still human, through and through. Stress is bound to get them eventually, which leaves them all worn out until they reach a point when they lash out at anyone, even their own kids.

Instead of letting all that negativity fester inside them, parents are encouraged to exert it onto something else. Working out at the gym is an excellent stress reliever—not to mention how healthy it is for the whole family, whether teens or adults. However, you can’t go to a gym empty-handed. But considering how busy parents are, looking for a gym bag to stash everything in might take too much time. Therefore, here’s a guide to narrow down your search.

Fit woman holding gym bag in a fitness centre. Beautiful blonde woman ready to start her training. Portrait of energetic woman looking at camera ready for new inscription at the gym.

1. Consider Its Uses

Think of gyms as adult-sized playgrounds. Just like any playground, it has different areas where everyone can enjoy their time to the fullest. There’s an area for rigorous training to build up body mass. Most gyms have equipment that stimulates runners to push themselves to surpass their previous speed count. But for those who only want to stretch and socialize with others, there’s a yoga section made for them.

Everyone specializing in their respective area must come prepared with what’s necessary. For example, those who do yoga will bring their rolled-up yoga mats. Therefore, their bag must have compartments big enough to fit them, among other things.

However, considering parents are often busy, they might not follow a consistent workout schedule when they only go to the gym a few times every month. Think ahead of time if you plan to use them outside the gym.

2. Look At Different Materials

Aside from aesthetics, the materials used on the bag will determine how long it’ll last, among other things. Considering how many materials were used for gym bags, each one has its strengths and weaknesses, namely:

•  a) Leather Gym Backpack

If you prefer to keep your hands free, then a gym backpack is a great option. Opting for leather is great if you plan to use the bag for both work and the gym, as it’s far more professional in appearance. Von Baer recommends choosing full grain leather, as it ages with leather patina, and it’s more durable than cheaper alternative types of leather. Moreover, its timeless aesthetic makes it ideal for bringing to the workplace besides the gym.

Convertible backpack from Vonbaer.com

• b) Polyester Gym Bag

For those who are the outdoors type, polyester would be perfect for you. Because it’s a synthetic fabric, it’s one of the most water-resistant materials for producing bags. Furthermore, being synthetic allows it more options regarding style or color.

• c) Nylon Bag

Nylon is another synthetic material, making it friendly for those who love to travel or hike around in difficult terrain. But be that as it may, many manufacturers haven’t mastered nylon in bag production. Therefore, you might end up with poorly made nylon bags that get worn out easily before a high-quality one lands on your doorstep.

3. Take Its Measurements

Gym bags come in different designs, either as duffel bags or backpacks. But regardless of which design they use, you must know their measurements first. Otherwise, your things might not fit, leaving you to ditch some of your necessities or force them into the bag. Admittedly, you can always bring another bag if those necessities are valuable. However, those physically incapable of carrying more would be singled out, especially if they’re expecting mothers who only want to get fit.

Take a look at your options. Determine which one would fit everything you need for the gym. If you’re planning to use your gym bag for other purposes, examine which one has compartments that accommodate your needs. Ideally, medium-sized bags are already suitable for an average gymgoer. But for those who want to bring their gym bag outside, use a bigger bag instead.

4. Guarantees Comfort

Gymgoers purchase gym bags in the first place to relieve some of the stress from lugging around their equipment. With that logic, the gym bag you choose must have an ergonomic design. This way, it doesn’t put too much stress on your shoulders or back, whether it’s a duffel or backpack.

Cropped image of fitness trainer putting essentials into sports bag

Takeaway

As soon as you enter parenthood, any free time you have will be eaten up by your kids. Therefore, once you have some time to yourself, every second counts. If you want to do something about your stress levels – or see it as a fun family activity – consider going to the gym. But before you waste your time going through one gym bag after another at the store, guides are available to give busy parents like yourself the help you need.