Yoga Bag Review

Top 5 Yoga Bags

1	Gaiam Embroidered Yoga Mat Bag (Dragon Fly)
	I don’t know why some are saying that this is a little bit small for the yoga mat. It fits perfectly, you just have to tighten the lace or whatever you want to call it to fully close the bag. I love this bag.
2	Gaiam Printed Yoga Mat Bag (Damask)
	I really love this bag, very handy and well constructed – large pocket is perfect for a water bottle or other large/tall item (not big enough for a yoga block). The bag has two other smaller pockets (one w/ zipper; other w/ velcro) ideal for keys and cell phone. Bag zippers from top to bottom for easy in/out for the yoga mat – plenty big enough for one mat, but not two mats. I like the color/design too, but for me, secondary to function.
3	Gaiam Tree of Life Yoga Mat Tote Bag
	This bag is roomy enough to hold 2 yoga blocks, 1 small hand towel and an average thickness mat. I also cram in my water bottle some days. I love that it has a small zippered pocket as I use this to store a yoga strap. Unlike other bags, this one allows you to really carry your props to class and it stays nice and clean. It is slighly more of a neutral shade than pictured. It looks like natural canvas and although I have not washed it yet, I am sure it will wash well but would not put it in the dryer. The straps are wide and easy on the shoulders, however, since it is long you have to watch it when you get into the gym. I noticed navigating through small doorways or down hallways can be tricky if someone is walking by you. When I purchased it, I spent the original $50 for the new product and am pleased that it is now a fraction of the cost. It is well worth the money and I have really enjoyed this product. I even fold the two ends in and use it as a drishti or point to focus on during balancing poses. If you are considering this mat and you travel by car or walking to your gym I would highly recommend it. I sometimes take the train and will use a smaller vertical mat bag when travelling by public transportation just due to the bulkiness of this bag.
4	YogaAccessories (TM) Black OM Cotton Yoga Mat Bag
	I bought this bag only 6 weeks ago and loved it. It was so cute, fit my towel as well as my mat and didn’t cost me too much. Then today I was walking home from practice and suddenly my mat was rolling down the street because the handle ripped right off the bag as I was walking! Do yourself a favor and don’t buy this cheap bag. It’s not well made at all and you are wasting your money because you’ll only get to use it for a short time.
5	YogaAccessories (TM) Large Nylon Zippered Yoga Mat Bag
	My mother just started taking yoga, and she’s not tech savvy, so I bought her the 1/4″ mat by Yoga Accessories. The description for this mat said ideal for the 1/4″, so I bought it. My mother said the bag was too short, so now I’m returning it.

Why You Need A Yoga Bag

You may not realize it yet, but if you’re a beginning yoga fan, you’re going to need a yoga bag.

A yoga bag can be any duffel bag with enough pockets and organizational spaces to store all your yoga accessories. Some companies make bag specific to yoga. These are usually more expensive than your typical sports duffel bag. Some, though, do prefer to work with a bag designed specifically for yoga.

When you first enter the world of yoga, you think you can get by with some loose-fitting clothes and a basic yoga mat. This is true. However, as you get more involved with this wonderful form of exercise, you’ll soon find that there is a whole world of accessories out there to enhance your yoga experience. You’ll no doubt want to invest in at least some of them.

For instance, you might want to buy yoga straps and belts specifically designed to increase the benefits of yoga’s strengthening and toning exercises. You might want to purchase yoga blocks, which come in foam, wood or cord varieties.

This is just the beginning of the many yoga accessories available to you. Visit your local fitness store and you’ll find yoga blankets, yoga wedges and yoga balls. There are yoga sandbags that add extra weight for more intense stretches. You can even find yoga-themed clothing, music, DVDs and gifts.

Now, you won’t be buying all of these items. But if you become a true yoga fan, the odds are good that you will buy plenty of yoga accessories. And where will you store them all? How will you carry them back and forth from your yoga classes? Where will you put them all when you return home?

You’ll need a good, sturdy yoga bag for all this yoga equipment. Again, don’t worry about buying a bag designed specifically for yoga. You can do this, but it will probably be more expensive. Instead, purchase an ordinary sports duffel bag. Make sure it has plenty of pockets, of course, for storing your accessories.

Once you do this, you’ll be able to tote your yoga lifestyle around with you with ease.  Checkout this article, Getting Started With Yoga, too learn more about the other yoga accessories you will need.

Yoga Bags Don’t Have To Be Expensive

Yoga is a great form of exercise for toning your muscles, boosting your flexibility, easing your mind and washing away the stress of the day. But yoga can also be an expensive way to exercise once you begin purchasing the many accessories that go with it. Even the simple yoga bag can be expensive.

If you’re looking to save money, though, you can do so by purchasing an inexpensive yoga bag. Some bags designed specifically for holding yoga accessories and equipment are quite costly. However, you certainly don’t need to purchase one of these pricier bags.
You’ll find instead that a simple gym duffel bag is more than up to the task of serving as your official yoga bag.

You need a yoga bag to store the mats, clothing, foam wedges and towels that you use during your standard yoga routine. It needs to be durable enough to lug to and from the gym. If you do your yoga at home, it needs to be flexible enough to store in corners or inside a closet, where it’s out of view.

Fortunately, a standard sports duffel bag has all of these qualities. When it’s time to purchase a yoga bag, then, head to your local sports equipment store and buy one of these instead. Your bank account will thank you.

It’s too easy to overspend on yoga equipment and accessories. With everything from books and DVDs to specially designed mats and yoga apparel on the market, you can quickly find your dollars dwindling as your enthusiasm for yoga increases.

Don’t make the mistake, though, of sinking any unneeded dollars into yoga bags. A yoga bag should have separate pockets and storage areas for all your yoga equipment and accessories. But these can easily be found in a standard sports duffel bag, meaning there is little reason to purchase a bag designed solely for yoga.

Yes, yoga bags do come in a wide variety of colors and styles. And they may be more visually appealing than is the standard gym duffel bag. But that extra bit of aesthetic value is no reason to overspend for a yoga bag.

When Should You Buy A Yoga Bag?

There are plenty of accessories available for you to purchase once you take up yoga. Though all you really need to get started with yoga are loose-fitting clothes and an exercise mat, there are several other accessories you can purchase to make your yoga experience a fuller one. This includes a reliable, sturdy yoga bag.

The question, though, is whether you need a yoga bag if you’re just getting started with the sport. The answer depends on you: Do you plan to make yoga a part of your daily routine for several years? Or is yoga just a temporary diversion, one that you’ll return to every once in a while, but one that you certainly won’t practice on a daily basis?

If you’re still unsure of whether you enjoy yoga enough to make it part of your life, you might want to skip buying an expensive yoga bag for now. If you’re taking yoga classes at your local gym or health club, it’s easy enough to tote your mat and clothes without the help of a bag.

However, if you already know that you are committed to yoga, and are willing to make it part of your normal routine, it’s probably wise to purchase a yoga bag. After all, devoted yoga enthusiasts aren’t shy about buying extra equipment and accessories. This includes DVDs, clothing designed specifically for yoga, weights to boost their level of work out and foam yoga wedges. When you begin buying this equipment, you’ll need a sturdy and durable yoga bag in which to store it.

The second question that you might have regarding yoga bags is an important one: How much money do I have to spend for one?

The answer is a refreshing one: You won’t have to spend a lot to get a perfectly adequate yoga bag.

The reason is that most sports duffel bags are reliable, strong and big enough to serve as high-quality yoga bags. You don’t have to spend a lot of money for designer yoga bags. Instead, sling that duffel bag over your shoulder and hit the gym.

What A Good Yoga Bag Needs

It’s little wonder that so many people are gravitating toward yoga. It’s a low-impact exercise that not only boosts flexibility, but also builds strength and relaxes the mind. It’s the perfect form of exercise for today’s over-stressed people. But while yoga doesn’t require a lot of equipment, fitness stores do sell a lot of yoga accessories. And if you purchase these, you’ll need a good yoga bag in which to store them.

What does your yoga bag need? First, it should be lightweight enough so that it won’t be a burden to carry from your home to a studio or fitness center. Remember, those yoga accessories – which include everything from mats to clothing to yoga balls – can get heavy. You don’t want your bag to be adding unnecessarily to this weight.

Your yoga bag also needs to come with plenty of storage. Again, those accessories really add up. You’ll need a bag that’s large enough to store whatever you buy to supplement your yoga experience. If you purchase a bag that’s too small, you’ll simply outgrow your yoga bag too quickly, especially if you become a devoted fan of yoga. Devoted fans, after all, buy as many accessories as they can to improve their yoga experience.

Finally, make sure your yoga bag comes with extra pockets and storage areas. These will help you arrange and organize your many yoga accessories and pieces of equipment. It’s a far better approach than is simply tossing your yoga accessories and equipment into a bag. If you do this, you’ll then have to dig through everything to find what you need. That’s not a good way to get your yoga experience started.

Yoga accessories and equipment can be expensive. So you’ll want to spend as little as possible on your yoga bag while still buying a bag that suits your needs. You’d be surprised at how effective a simple gym duffel bag can be. These bags are usually large, lightweight and affordable. In fact, they’re often a far better alternative than are the more pricey yoga bags that specialty shops and fitness centers sometimes sell.

How Large Should A Yoga Bag Be?

When you first start taking yoga classes, you may be surprised at how relaxing yet intense of a workout yoga is. Like most people you’ll be quickly hooked on yoga. That means you’ll more than likely find yourself purchasing a wide variety of accessories and extra yoga equipment. And once you do this, you’ll need to buy or find a yoga bag to hold all this extra equipment.

The question, though, is how large your yoga bag should be. Too small, and you won’t be able to fit all your yoga accessories and equipment inside. Too big, and your yoga bag will be too cumbersome to transport to and from the gym or health studio where you take your yoga lessons.

To determine the size of yoga bag that’s best for you, first take a long look at your own yoga experiences. Do you travel to the gym on a daily basis to take advanced yoga classes? Or do you practice yoga once a week in your own home? The answer will help you decide how large of a yoga bag to purchase.

For instance, if you’re traveling to the gym on a daily basis for yoga classes, you’re obviously a devoted and passionate fan of the exercise. In this case, you might want to invest in a larger bag. The reason is simple: Those who are more passionate about the sport of yoga are more likely to purchase many of the extra accessories and pieces of equipment that supplement the yoga experience.

You might be surprised at how many yoga accessories are available. Your local fitness store undoubtedly sells yoga clothing, exercise balls, straps, bands and weights. You can purchase a wide variety of yoga DVDs, computer discs and books. You can even buy portable travel yoga mats.

All of these accessories add up. That’s why a good gym duffel bag – one that’s large enough to meet your needs – is a wise purchase. Gym duffel bags aren’t expensive. And most of them are large enough to hold several pieces of yoga equipment. The good news is that you don’t have to spend a large sum of money on designer yoga bags.