You want to lift weights at the gym, not on your way to the gym. A well-edited gym bag will take the schlepp out of your trip to step class and still let you pamper yourself or prep for a postexercise outing.

The Essentials

Depending on workout: Shorts or Lycra pants, T-shirt, socks, sports bra, sneakers; swim cap, goggles, and bathing suit; weight-lifting gloves; yoga mat.

The Extras

Small bottles of shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and liquid soap; all-in-one facial wipes (try new Olay Daily Facials Lathering Cleansing Cloths, $7 at drugstores); travel-size toothpaste and toothbrush with plastic cap; deodorant; travel-size hairbrush or comb; hair elastics; water bottle; portable radio or CD player; flip-flops, towel, and a plastic bag for your wet bathing suit or workout clothes.

The Bag

Look for a water-resistant bag that's compact enough to fit in a standard locker but roomy enough to hold the extras. Real Simple likes the Small Lighthouse II Duffel Bag from Lands' End (8 1/2 by 19 by 10 1/2 inches, $29.50, www.landsend.com.

The Pinch-Hit Kit

Keep a plastic bag filled with some just-in-case items, such as tampons, blister pads, bandages, pain reliever, a razor, and AA batteries for your radio or CD player.

The Toiletry Case

The Clear Zippered Cube from the Container Store (six by eight by two inches, $3.50), www.containerstore.com will help you keep the pre-and post-exercise extras in one place.

The Towel

Even if your gym provides a towel, you probably need five of them to dry yourself. Instead, pack a compact microfiber towel, such as the Aquis Body Towel ($27, www.drugstore.com), which will work from head to toe—and be dry by the time you're dressed.