Gym Bag Essentials: What to Pack (and How to Keep It Fresh)

A well-packed gym bag removes one more excuse to skip a session. Here is what to keep in it, and how to stop it smelling.

The essentials

• Workout clothes and socks
• Training shoes, in a separate compartment
• Water bottle (at least 750 ml, more for hot outdoor sessions)
• A compact, quick-dry towel
• Headphones
• Padlock for the locker
• Gym membership card or app

For showering at the gym

• A second, larger towel
• Flip-flops for the shower
• Travel-size shampoo, shower gel and deodorant
• Clean underwear and a change of clothes
• A wet bag or wet pocket for used clothes and towels

Nice to have

• Protein shake or a snack such as a banana or nuts
• Resistance band or jump rope
• Hair ties and a small comb
• Lip balm and moisturiser (gym air-conditioning is drying)
• Small first-aid items: plasters, tape

How to keep your gym bag fresh

1. Separate wet and dry. Sweaty clothes and damp towels are the main cause of smells. Keep them in a separate wet compartment.
2. Separate shoes. A dedicated shoe compartment stops shoe smell spreading to clean clothes.
3. Empty it every day. Don't leave used kit in the bag overnight, especially in a hot car.
4. Use quick-dry towels. Microfiber dries much faster than cotton, so it doesn't sit damp.
5. Air it out. Leave the bag open to dry, and choose a bag with mesh panels for ventilation.
6. Wash it. Wipe the inside weekly and wash the bag every month or two if the fabric allows.

Choosing the bag

Look for a backpack rather than a shoulder duffel if you walk or cycle to the gym. It spreads the weight across both shoulders. Our sports mesh backpack has a shoe compartment and a wet pocket, which solves both fresh-bag rules. Pair it with a microfiber gym towel.