That sounds a little bit odd, doesn't it? Regardless, I find posts like these quite fun, so I thought I'd add my two cents.
Why gym bag? Well, my handbag is full of utter crap, so that would be reason number one & reason two; I've been heading off to the gym more often over these past few months, and I tend to have this bag with me more than my other. Not a sentence I really thought I'd ever type, but hey.
First up - the actual bag itself. I like my gym-bags like I like my handbags; comfortable, easy to carry and generally go with any outfit (not that I have any fashion-sense, whatsoever). This Sweaty Betty Holdall, which apparently they don't sell anymore - sorry! - ticks a lot of those boxes. Sure, it has a great big pop of neon orange that may not technically go with everything, but as I said, fashion sense? Don't have any. But I do love it for that fact it's a bit different but still practical, and is really easy to just sling over my shoulder and go.
First up - the actual bag itself. I like my gym-bags like I like my handbags; comfortable, easy to carry and generally go with any outfit (not that I have any fashion-sense, whatsoever). This Sweaty Betty Holdall, which apparently they don't sell anymore - sorry! - ticks a lot of those boxes. Sure, it has a great big pop of neon orange that may not technically go with everything, but as I said, fashion sense? Don't have any. But I do love it for that fact it's a bit different but still practical, and is really easy to just sling over my shoulder and go.
There aren't too many pockets inside, but thats a good thing for a hoarder like me, as it makes me a little more selective about what I do put in there. Of course, I have the boring bits & pieces like my Virgin Active Membership Card, a padlock (fyi, you will have to take your own for your locker or pay £5 for one of theirs), iPhone headphones & my house keys. Pretty self explanatory.
As for 'beauty' bits, I carry the Benefit 'Justine Case' travel makeup set & any of my current favourite lipsticks for facial emergencies. I bought the compact when I lived in Spain and it really is a great little set for people on the move. It contains 'Eyecon' brightening cream, 'California Kissin' lip shine, 'Benetint' lip & cheek stain plus 'Some Kinda Gorgeous' foundation. I'm not one of those people that puts make-up on just to go to the gym, but after an intense thirty minutes of Spinning, they do come in handy. Especially as I have to walk through a busy city centre to get home; and you know I will bump into someone looking like a blotchy monster.
I don't think deodorant, a towel & hand sanitizer need much of an explanation, but I don't really tend to use the gym showers, for numerous reasons, but mainly for the fact they're a bit grim. Plus, I only live a 10 minute walk away from my own shower! So a quick freshen up is enough, although if things really aren't in a good way, or I have somewhere important to be straight after; I carry a little sachet of shampoo & conditioner. It's a good way to use up your samples & it keeps your bag nice a light, so you don't have to lug round huge bottles of products!

Another permanent addition to my bag is my YFumble, which is looking a little faded, but I have had it for years now. If you're looking for a cheap, comfortable & practical 'arm pocket' (their words, not mine) I highly recommend these! They keep my iPhone in place for any & all of my exercises and they feel uber lightweight and comfy. Bonus!
As for nibbles ('cause I'm always thinking about food, no matter where I am) I tend to carry some kind of natural protein source; whether it be a 'Bounce' energy ball or Nakd bar, just something to fill me up until I get home. As I pass nearly every fast-food place on said walk, I don't want to be so hungry that I ruin everything I've just done!
And finally, possibly the brightest and most in-your-face footwear I own/will ever own, are my Nike iD LunarGlide's… I'm not sure what kind of happy pills I was on when I designed these at the Nike store in London (when I was training for a half marathon with Team Bangs on the Run) but they still make me smile every time I see them!
What do you have in your gym bag?
xo
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |