Disclosure: I was provided a Apera bag free of charge for the purpose of a product review. I was not compensated in any other way. All opinions are my own, and I am not obligated to give it a positive review. If I hated it, I'd tell you.
The 7 Deadly Gym Bags Sins:
1. "The Disposable Gym Bag"
2. "The Stinky Gym Bag"
3. "The Over-Stuffed Gym Bag"
4. "The Disorganized Gym Bag"
5. "The Cheaply-Made Falling Apart Gym Bag"
6. "The Use Anything With a Handle Gym Bag"
7. "The Germ Infested Gym Bag"
I didn't realize that I had a serious problem until the solution was so clearly pointed out to me.
Meet my gym bag.
Oh, that's not normal? I can do better!
Still, no?
When the nice people at Apera offered to send me a gym bag for a review, I saw it more of a much-needed intervention. A Gymbagervention. Yes, I am making up words now. I think once you have established a blog, you are allowed to do that. How did Apera know I was carrying around my stuff in an overstuffed grocery bag? Maybe I was a victim like on that show What Not To Wear, where they secretly follow you around and film your embarrassing outfits, except it should be called What Not To Carry. Where's my secret footage Apera?
My gym bags weren't cutting it. Frankly, it's embarrassing. So let's discuss the pros and cons of my grocery bag/gym bag vs. my beautiful new Apena Performance Duffle Bag.
Grocery Bag Pros:
Cheapest "gym bag" on the planet.
Grocery Bag Cons:
Terrible for the environment.
You might be mistaken for a homeless person carrying your prized possessions in a grocery bag (yes, my running shoes are one of my most prized possessions).
Bag tears easily.
Things fall out.
Do I even need to go on? I didn't think so. Let's move on the gushing about my new Apera Performance Duffle.
Apera Performance Duffle Bag Pros:
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My Fuchsia Apera Performance Duffle |
SPACIOUS: You won't even believe what you can fit in this bag. It's huge! Need to carry a week's worth of workout gear? Two pair of shoes? A bowling ball in case the need arises? The kitchen sink? No problem!
ORGANIZED: A giant bag becomes it's own problem if it is not organized! I love that there are pockets for everything. There are pockets on each end that are big enough to carry a pair of shoes in each, to keep your dirty shoes separated from clean clothes. There are two smaller padded pockets on top of the bag for your cell phone or MP3 player, a padded pocket in the front for your tablet, and multiple pockets on the inside for your jewelry or whatever else you need to store separately from the main compartment. The inside lining is a light color so you aren't digging into a big black hole! Brilliant!
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Apera inside view |
HEALTHY: How can a gym bag be healthy, you ask? It is healthy when it is antimicrobial. The bag is treated on the inside and outside to prevent the growth of antimicrobial odors to help prevent that awful lingering odor and the spreading of germs, plus it is easy to wipe clean.
CHARITABLE: For every three bags that Apera sells, they donate one Sprint Pack to a Special Olympics athlete. Learn more.
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The Sprint Pack - Enter to Win in the Giveaway |
Also, if you want to win the Best Spouse-Significiant-Other of the Year Award, this would make a lovely Valentine's Day present for the gym-goer in your life.
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note: Hubby might not want pink. :) |
Do you want to win a Sprint Pack from Apera which also includes a 25% off coupon for any Apera bag? It is easy to enter to win. Just leave a comment on this blog post and fill out the Rafllecopter form, plus there are plenty of ways to earn additional entries.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Want another chance to win? Apera holds their own giveaway each month. They will be giving away a free Apera bag to one winner each month. All you need to do to enter is sign up for their newsletter by providing your email address at the bottom of their website. Then, at the conclusion of each month, they'll randomly draw a name from those subscribers in the email newsletter database to select the winner. The bag for February is the Yoga Tote. Every month they will change the style. Good luck!
Are you guilty of any of the 7 Deadly Gym Bag Sins? Do you need a Gymbagervention?
Like this post? Please consider sharing.
Keep Running,
Lea
Ways to (legally) stalk me:
GIVEAWAY RULES:
No purchase necessary.
Contest runs from 1/25/2014-2/4/2014.
1 winner will be randomly selected via Rafflecopter.
Open to US residents 18 years of age or older.
Must have a shipping address in the US.
Winner will notified via email (if available) and blog post, and will have 48 business hours to claim prize.
If original winner does not claim prize within 48 business hours an alternate winner will be selected.
Contestants must enter on the Rafflecopter form in order to win.
Prize will be shipped directly from Apera.
This is great! Cute blog! Following you! : )
ReplyDeleteI adore the fuchsia! That is a sharp looking gym bag. I'm desperately in need of a good gym bag... Mine is a mesh bag from a runDisney event. It's nice enough but doesn't hold nearly enough. It's to the point that I'm using safety pins to hold it together because I've over stuffed it too often! LOL
ReplyDeleteWould love to try out this bag!
ReplyDeleteGreat giveaway! Very cute gym bag!
ReplyDeleteThese are so cute! I would love to have a gym bag like this. :D
ReplyDeleteAhhh what a FANTASTIC bag! The pink sold me at first sight :)
ReplyDeleteI love it!! And the color rocks!
ReplyDeleteI love bags in general. And, who doesn't love a cute gym bag! I could do use one of these.
ReplyDeleteI think I may have an issue with #3 and #4 but in general I love my gym bags. You can never have too many! This one is super cute.
ReplyDeleteLove these bags!
ReplyDeleteNow that looks like a bag that won't fall off my shoulder like all the others!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a winner. Great blog
ReplyDeleteLove the bag!! Perfect because I always hate putting my running shoes in with my clean clothes. Ick.
ReplyDeleteLove it, looks like a great bag.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this great giveaway! Pick me pick me . :)
ReplyDeleteLOVE the pink one you have! SUPER CUTE!
ReplyDeleteAwesome bag! I'm searching for a new gym bag and this bag would work great for my OCD tendencies and love of pockets!
ReplyDeleteI just use an only falling apart gym bag that my brother got from a college visit 3 years ago! Haha, the strings aren't even attached anymore!
ReplyDeletelove the pink one
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute gym bag!
ReplyDeleteGreat looking bag! I may have to get one simply to know it's mine. The kids - all adults but still at home - keep taking off with cinch saks I have for hauling gear.
ReplyDeleteLove this bag!
ReplyDeleteYou know what, I have a "decent' gym bag that I got for free, but it's pretty disorganized with only one pocket to hold everything. I would love the Apera bag, it's beautiful and functional!
ReplyDeleteThat is perfect...I grab any bag nearby and stuff it, no wonder I'm always getting there missing things :)
ReplyDeleteThis bag looks awesome! I really need something to keep me better organized at the gym.
ReplyDeleteThis bag is so cool!
ReplyDeleteI definitely need a new bag, and these look really nice. I'm currently using an old LL Bean backpack I got about 20 years ago.
ReplyDeleteI love this bag! I may have to do some shopping this afternoon!
ReplyDeleteIt is so cute.
ReplyDeleteI'd love a new gym bag! Thank you for the chance!
ReplyDeleteOooh I love those bags. I have a really nice triathlon bag now and a bike commuting bag, but neither are really great for every day gym use!
ReplyDeleteSweet! My gym bag is always whatever leftover, broken zipper, piece of junk I can find five minutes before I leave for the gym. I'd love a sleek new bag! #slowrunner
ReplyDeleteI would love to have it in bright orange!!!
ReplyDeleteLove this bag....might have to get one!!!
ReplyDeleteMy gym bag is too small and then I use a reusable grocery bag for the overflow. On Wed I go from the gym to mom/baby swim lesson to errands and I need something to fit all my stuff.
ReplyDeleteThe fushia is great, headed over to check out the other colors now!
ReplyDeleteNice bag can we get other colors
ReplyDeletethank you for the opportunity!
ReplyDeleteYour gym bag is super cute. :)
ReplyDeleteI NEED this pink gym bag in my life!
ReplyDeleteMy gym bag is always whatever reusable bag I grab first!
ReplyDeleteI totally need this! (and the awesome fuchsia color is most pretty!)
ReplyDeleteVery cute bag! I definitely need a roomy bag to hold all the stuff I need to shower and change for work after spinning.
ReplyDeleteHa love this! Totally need a gym bag.
ReplyDeleteI want it in pink, great post!!!!
ReplyDeletewww.classyfitgals.com
Nice looking bags! Mine is getting quite old!
ReplyDeleteI'm always looking for a gym bag! These colors are gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteLove the bag and all the space. So cute too! I'm also a huge Mizuno fan so I love your shoes!!!
ReplyDeleteEverything in pink. this is a great bag
ReplyDeleteLove the look of this bag.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletethis gym bag is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI love that Performance duffel!
ReplyDeletei need a new gym bag. mine gets so disorganized.
ReplyDeleteLOVE this!!!! I need a new bag!
ReplyDeleteI love bags. I have a problem with collecting too many.....this one is very cute and I would love to add it to my collection!
ReplyDeleteAlso guilty. I usually just shove my workout stuff in my purse. oops.
ReplyDeleteI could really use a gym bag. Currently, I use a cloth tote bag - not ideal!
ReplyDeleteI love this bag and could definitely use a new gym bag.
ReplyDeleteCaitlin
Learning Healthy!
The best gym bag ever!
ReplyDeleteI'm #5 - cheaply made and falling apart. I actually advised a friend (who I was encouraging to come to the gym with me) to just throw his stuff into a grocery bag. He said he didn't want to feel like a homeless person.
ReplyDeleteRegularHealthyCompetition.com
Haha.. I am so guilty of "I'll use anything with a handle"
ReplyDeleteI really need a new gym bag!!
ReplyDeleteHa! I typically use a bag that I received as a bridesmaid's gift. it works, but isn't ideal. I'm very guilty of using a plastic bag as a gym bag
ReplyDeleteYou mean my canvas Wal-mart bag, isn't a gym bag? I'd love to win a real gym bag.
ReplyDeleteWould love to win the bag for my wife!
ReplyDeleteWould love that pack!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteOh I would SOOOO Love one of these in pink would work for my gym bag or the bag to take when I work overnights at my second job to keep my yucky clothes to themselves away from the other stuff.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great bag!!
ReplyDeleteI am guilty of shoving everything into a tiny shopping bag, love this Apera gym bag.
ReplyDeleteOMG that is a beautiful bag! I'm so guilty of shoving my stuff into a plastic bag and then into a big purse so somewhat hide the fact that I'm using a plastic bag because I don't own a gym bag...
ReplyDeleteI love thst it has a pocket for shoes!
ReplyDeletehahah this was such a fun read. Thanks. Iw ill admit, I have had the plastic bag more than once I am ashamed to admitMade me LOL and the bag looks awesome.
ReplyDeleteMaryalicia Verdecchia
pegasusrdr@gmail.com
I am always guilty of over stuffing my bag when I have one. Otherwise I try to juggle all my stuff and end up losing my keys or dropping my phone.
ReplyDeleteSo cute! I always just overstuff my purse haha.
ReplyDeleteWow the fuschia bag is beautiful and it's cool you are giving away the Sprint bag! My gym bag is filled to the gills every day...a new one would be awesome. I will check them out!
ReplyDeletewhat an awesome bag!!!
ReplyDeleteLove the color - perfect for spring!
ReplyDeleteI definitely use the disposable one! Ack!
ReplyDeleteI love the design of these bags! I have an overstuffed lunch bag for a gym bag.
ReplyDeleteSuper cute bag! I end up using the giveaway stringy backpacks for my gym bag and can never find anything deep inside there!!! :P
ReplyDeleteI love the colors! I could use this as a work bag for school! :) antimicrobial- a must for me!
ReplyDeleteVery cute bag, plus it is pink! gotta love that! Great blog too! (http://14-in-2014.com)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the laugh today. :) This looks like a fantastic gym bag!
ReplyDeleteGreat bag - I so need a bag. The pink rocks.
ReplyDeleteI WANT THIS BAG!!!
ReplyDeleteI definitely am guilty, even though I have plenty of backpacks I could use, I will often take a plastic grocery bag.
ReplyDeleteI'm so guilty of the "anything with handles" sin.
ReplyDeleteI'm so guilty of the "anything with handles" sin.
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful giveaway!! It looks awesome! @smilejoylove
ReplyDeleteIn order to make your runs better and better your body should be able to perform its best. I have found a way to keep good shape without overtraining and without exhausting my body. Right nutrition is one of the key factors. Still, sometimes everyday meals can not provide all necessary nutrients. That is why I am taking nutritional supplements. As I am strongly opposed to all kinds of chemicals, I was looking for the natural supplement, consisting basically of vitamins. And I have found the one - Second Wind by Military Grade. This is new vegetarian post-workout supplement which increases muscles longevity and keeps me toned. It helps muscles to recover quickly and reduces the soreness. Now I always feel prepared for my best runs.
ReplyDeleteGreat bag even better blog! Would live to try one, sans pink of course!
ReplyDeleteLast comment @tomwing0728
ReplyDeleteThe pink bag you picked out looks perfect! I could use a new one probably!
ReplyDeleteSo glad that I found your blog from twitter!
ReplyDeleteI'm guilty of #6. These Apera bags look awesome!
ReplyDeleteThat pack would be so much better than my little tote!
ReplyDeleteNot available anymore? :(
ReplyDelete