If hitting the gym is part of your daily routine, you should have a good bag to fit with your active lifestyle.

Gym bags for women come in many different shapes and sizes, but a great gym bag does more than just look good – it keeps you organized and ready for anything that comes your way.

There are a few essentials women who are looking for a new gym bag should consider before bringing home just any old bag.

Versatile

A great bag is flexible. When you invest in a good bag, you likely want to be able to use it for a variety of occasions. Gym bags can be great for travelling or for taking to work.

Gym bags for women should be able to blend into other areas of your busy lifestyle, from the locker room to the office. When shopping for a new gym bag, keep in mind how a bag will work in and outside the gym. The perfect bag can serve more than one purpose, and they make staying organized a little easier, no matter the occasion.

Organized

Give me pockets and lots of them! Gym bags for women must have a variety of pockets and features to keep you prepared. A single-compartment bag quickly leads to a messy disaster (do you really want your dirty socks mixing with everything else in your bag?).

Having different pockets inside a bag will help you separate clean and dirty clothing. If you plan on using your bag for other purposes, these pockets are an essential.

For travel, pockets for shampoos and toiletries are a must. Having a shoe compartment is also an excellent feature that will prevent that gym shoe smell from seeping into your clothes.

For yogis, an extra strap on the exterior of the bag for holding a mat will keep your hands free. All these features are key to a good bag. Remember: your gym bag should accomplish all your organizational needs, not make your trip to the gym a hassle.

Durable

Good gym bags for women don’t come cheap, and you want to make sure you get the best value. Gym bags for women should be durable and high-quality to reduce wear and tear.

You shouldn’t be buying a new gym bag every year! Before buying a gym bag, you should make sure it is going to work as hard as you do. Check to make sure zippers are all functional and the straps on new bags are a cozy fit before purchasing.

Getting a sore shoulder from carrying your bag will put a damper on your workout. Your equipment should aid you, not slow you down. Investing in good quality gym gear will save you money in the long run. A successful workout starts with having the right gear.

You don’t settle for a mediocre workout, so why settle for a mediocre bag? The perfect gym bag will complement your routine and, most of all, make things easier. You should not only love the way your bag looks, but also how it functions. When in the market for a new bag, be sure to have these essentials in mind.

Gym bags for women are widely available, but not everything can keep up with your pace.