It can be a struggle in itself to find the motivation to go to the gym, but then having to fit a change of clothes, a towel, your toiletries, your phone, wallet, keys, headphones, a water bottle, your protein shake and any other knickknack you may need is just troublesome. This is why finding the perfect gym bag is so essential.

While there are many styles of gym bags, for the everyday hustlers out there, a gym tote bag is the best option and here is why!

1. They are versatile!

If you look at the various types of gym tote bags available out there, you will be surprised at how classy they look with their bold colors, breathable material, and abundance of space. A gym bag that you can carry all your workout gear to the gym with, and later take to the grocery store to pick up your dinner supplies! Bulky, black basic sports duffle bags are no longer your only choice of gym bags.

Shop around and look for the manufacturers that provide you your personal style for the gym and to run your errands.

2. Compartmentalization and Organization is key

Gym tote bags come loaded with space for everything.

– Pockets for water bottles, protein shakes and outer and inner zipper enclosures for your valuables. Gone are the days where you have to rummage through a pile of clothes to get to your ringing phone.

– Space for your laundry in a separated breathable, micro bacterial compartment allows for your soiled clothes from mixing with the rest of your stuff.

– Do your research to find a tote bag with customizable attachments as per your requirement- yoga mat straps, detachable shoe pouches, umbrella compartments, and even portable charging port access, allowing you to make the best of your time at the gym. Even if you have to pay a little more, these extra features are customized to make your day so much easier. At the end of the day, a one-time purchase on a high-quality gym tote bag with all the features will definitely pay off in the long run.

3. The materials used nowadays are worth every penny

– It is important that when you drop your money into purchasing something as necessary as a gym tote bag, you want it to be durable.

– If you live in an area where precipitation is very common—be it in the form of rain, snow or hail, you want to make sure your gym tote bag is water-resistant, protecting your belongings from getting wet. Most manufactured totes come water-resistant. Many gym tote manufacturers ensure the material used for the laundry compartments of your bag are also odor resistant and micro bacterial. Breathable material such as mesh or vented fabric allows the proper airing of the sweaty clothes.

– A gym bag with a soft fleece lining for compartments where your more fragile items like phones, sunglasses, jewelry, and watches go will help keep these items from scratching or breaking.

– You want to make sure the fabric used is not too bulky or heavy since this would defeat the purpose of lightening your load at the gym.

– In today’s environmental-conscious society, many companies spend a lot of time and resources researching environment-friendly material- vegan, cruelty-free, biodegradable, made from renewable resources to name a few. You could always opt for one of these and show your support for the cause.

4. Easy to clean

Totes, in general, are low maintenance and easy to maintain and clean. Most gym tote bags are easy to simply wipe clean with a damp cloth. In case of a stain, most materials can be cleaned by spot cleaning. However, make sure to try it out on an inconspicuous location first, to check for any unwanted damage to the bag.

5. So many designs to choose from

A gym tote bag can either be simplistic or vibrant and colorful. It can have pocket enclosures, zippers or drawstrings. They can be as large as an overnight bag or can be folded into a wristlet! A tote is one of the most versatile bags you can choose from.

The secret behind making smart investments is research. It is crucial that you do your own research and checks out reviews to know how a product would fare in various situations, thus allowing you to make a more informed decision.