Lent is often seen as a time of sacrifice and fasting. However, in recent years, I’ve approached these 40 days as a time to renew wayward resolutions from New Year’s. If you had hoped to start a new hobby, change your diet, enact a self-care practice, or for any (better) changes you hoped to bring to 2025, Lent can be seen as a reboot if your intentions have gone astray.

So, in that vein, I’m hoping to restart my goal of amping up my regular exercise regime here in March. In order to set myself up for success, and as a kind of preemptive reward, I’m looking to elevate my gym bag game. The idea being if I am carrying a cute bag, it’ll force me to exercise more. I know that sounds like a stretch, but not every motivation can be rationally explained.

Here are some gym bags I’m eyeing in the round-about hopes of jump-starting more rigorous exercise into my weekly schedule.

First, consider what kind of bag is best for the gym. The best bag is functional, lends itself to your specific workout type, and, if possible, speaks to your personal style preferences. Function encompasses several elements, such as size, weight, and material. Your ideal bag will be durable and easy to carry with different compartments for organizing your belongings.

If you’re carrying equipment, like boxing gloves, a racket, yoga blocks, etc, you’ll need to have enough space for everything.

Also, consider material. Nylon and polyester gym bags are the most water-resistant, while canvas is typically machine washable. Leather gym bags are durable and can typically be wiped down when dirty, but they can be heavy to carry and are also on the pricier side.

As a person who appreciates a place for everything and everything in its place, Calpak’s Fit Gym Bag is calling my name. With a separate shoe compartment, side water bottle pocket, multiple interior pockets, interior key clip, zippered phone pocket, adjustable yoga mat straps, padded and adjustable shoulder strap, and a luggage trolley sleeve, just online browsing this bag is building up my heart rate. This unisex bag comes in gray and black, as well as springtime colors sage and tea rose. Plus, the anti-microbial lining is perfect for damp gym clothes and towels. This bag can also easily and stylishly double as a weekender for any upcoming road trips.

If you are less inclined to a lot of bells and whistles in a gym bag, then consider Amazon seller Trendy Trandi’s Duffle Bag. This waterproof and scratch-resistant bag comes in minty green, sky blue, and bright purple to bring a pop of color to a gray morning workout. The larger size can fit towels, clothes, shoes, toiletries, wrist weights, resistant bands, and a jump rope or two. Plus, it can be separated from wet and dry, so your swimsuit and cap won’t get your wallet and phone wet! This will also make for a durable beach bag come vacation time.

Another great duffle-style bag to consider is Hershel Supply’s Novel 43L Duffel Bag. This classic nylon bag comes in a dozen different colors, from navy to ivy green to ash rose. It also boasts a shoe compartment and a padded shoulder strap for further utility. Its waterproof coated fabric adds protection to keep gear dry, but not so great for carrying wet or damp items. I see this working best for less sweaty endeavors and also a solid option as a travel bag.

If the daylight-savings-time of it all is calling your exercise routine outside, then check out Columbia Sportswear’s Trail Traveler 28L Rucksack. With a foam-padded back for easy carry, front accessory pockets for quick access, side pockets for water bottles, and a drawstring top closure and buckle flaps to really pack in your gear, this backpack screams outdoor activities. Plus, unlike the options above, it boasts a dedicated laptop sleeve in case you need to check your email on the trail. Or, more likely, head to an early morning cross-fit before going to the office.

For those of you seeking spirit and body connection this Lent, you may want to pick up Simply Activ’s Chic Yoga Mat Gym Bag. The large compartment can easily hold a yoga mat, workout gear, and other essentials, with extra space for smaller items like keys, wallets, and phones. Or secure your mat between the shoulder straps, carrying it on the outside with a snap strap to utilize the interior compartments for yoga blocks, bands, meditation gong, and ocean drum. Those last two items any good yoga studio will have on hand, but best to bring your own just in case.

True, one could stash one’s workout essentials in an everyday tote, but why dirty up your day bag with sweaty post-gym clothes and sneakers? With so many versatile and stylish bags out there (with functions dedicated to a variety of activities and workout needs), what more motivation do you need to kickstart your fitness for these forty days?