As the fitness lifestyle becomes the new trend in cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, this wave is now influencing the choice of commuter bags among urban dwellers.
On one hand, office workers in places like Guomao, who squeeze in a Supermonkey group class during lunch breaks or after work, need to carry their workout gear from the moment they leave home in the morning. On the other hand, gym bags from brands like lululemon, known for their design and high brand recognition, have become a new status symbol for fitness enthusiasts in the crowd.
The gym bag market is heating up. The lululemon Fast Track 2.0, for instance, sold out this summer due to its versatility—it can be carried as a backpack, crossbody, handbag, or underarm bag, and boasts a large capacity. More fitness influencers on Xiaohongshu are featuring gym bags from brands like Under Armour, Gymshark, Nike, and Subtle in their daily outfit reviews.
Gym bags, blending practicality and fashion, are becoming a new choice for commuters.
From Sidekick to Star
The rise of gym bags to prominence is largely due to their large capacity and functional compartments. As fitness becomes integrated into daily life, gym bags are no longer just for workout gear. For example, the Under Armour gym backpack can replace an additional briefcase or laptop bag.
Besides shoes, towels, yoga mats, and small massage guns, items like laptops, thermoses, and charging cables can also be neatly stored. A peek into a group class coach’s bag might reveal an array of unexpected tools.
More importantly, the trend influence of fitness brands now rivals that of luxury brands, turning gym bags into social currency, much like yoga pants. Young people proudly showcase gym bags from brands like Alo Yoga, Nobull, and Venum, which carry identity-signifying meanings, confidently displaying their free-spirited, athletic lifestyle.
The First Gym Bag
Many fitness enthusiasts’ first gym bag is often a giveaway from commercial gyms like Supermonkey or PURE. These gym bags, carrying identity-signifying attributes, not only provide motivation for fitness but also become walking advertisements for the gym’s merchandise.
With the rise of outdoor activities, gym bags are increasingly seen at frisbee and rugby fields, suggesting even more diverse future applications.
However, gym bags may not become the new “spiritual nitrogen pump” like yoga pants. Firstly, gym bags with commuting functions overlap with traditional backpacks and travel bags in terms of category. Secondly, their practical and durable nature gives them a longer replacement cycle. As a result, domestic sports and fitness brands have rarely ventured into the gym bag market.
The article concludes with a summary of gym bag reviews, offering brands and consumers references based on comfort, storage space, space planning rationality, and weight.
