A Guide to Designing Your Own Custom Gym Wear in the UK

Custom Gym Wear

The rise of fitness culture in the UK has created a demand for clothing that does more than just look good. Today’s gym-goers expect apparel that is comfortable, functional and stylish. Gyms, sports clubs and wellness brands see clothing as an extension of their identity and designing your own gym wear is a great way to express this. As a branded apparel company who has printed thousands of custom activewear pieces, we want to show you how to design your own custom gym wear, covering fabric choices, design tips and the practical steps to create activewear that performs as well as it looks.

Contents

• Why Custom Gym Wear Matters
• Choosing the Right Garments
• Selecting Fabrics for Performance
• Design Tips for Gym Wear
• Printing and Decoration Options
• Using a Design Studio
• Where to Design Your Own Gym Wear Online

Why Custom Gym Wear Matters

For gyms, personal trainers and sports teams, athletic clothing is more than just a uniform. Designing your own gym wear strengthens community and creates a sense of belonging. For individuals, designing your own gym wear means you can train in clothing that reflects your personality and fits your body type. In both cases, custom sportswear serves as a marketing tool, boosting visibility in and out of the gym.

Choosing the Right Garments

The first step to designing and creating custom gym wear is choosing the base garments. Think about the type of activity the clothing will be used for. Lightweight t-shirts and vests are perfect for high-intensity training, while hoodies and sweatshirts work well for warm-ups and outdoor sessions. Leggings, shorts and performance joggers are ideal for those who want a complete activewear set.

Look for activewear blanks from trusted suppliers that combine durability with comfort. A well-made garment will not only improve the end product but also help your designs last through repeated workouts and washes.

Selecting Fabrics for Performance

Fabric choice is one of the most important aspects of designing gym wear. Cotton offers breathability and a natural feel, but for sportswear, blends with polyester, elastane or recycled fibres often perform better. These fabrics wick away sweat, stretch with movement and dry quickly, making them suitable for intense exercise. Activewear blanks will likely alter the print method due to their blends, so be sure to check with a reputable supplier before committing to a particular printing option if ordering online.

Sustainable options are also becoming more popular, with many UK suppliers now offering eco-conscious activewear blanks. These use organic cotton or recycled polyester, giving you the chance to combine performance with a lower environmental impact.

Design Tips for Gym Wear

Designing activewear is about balancing creativity with practicality. Here are some tips:

• Placement: Keep designs away from areas that crease heavily, such as under the arms or across seams. Front chest, back or thigh areas work well for logos and graphics.
• Colours: Bold colours stand out in gyms and sports halls, but darker shades are often preferred for durability and versatility.
• Logos and Branding: Keep branding clean and simple. Small, well-placed logos often look more professional than oversized designs.
• Comfort: Avoid heavy prints that reduce flexibility or make the fabric less breathable.

Printing and Decoration Options

There are several ways to bring your designs to life:

• Screen Printing: Ideal for bulk orders, offering vibrant colours and durability. Great for a mix of different garment types
• DTG (Direct to Garment): Perfect for detailed graphics and smaller runs, providing flexibility for unique designs. Only ideal on cotton garments or high cotton quantities.
• Digital Heat Transfers: Great for names, numbers and smaller customisations on activewear. Perfect for activewear blanks.
• Embroidery: Adds a premium finish, particularly effective on hoodies and sweatshirts.

The choice depends on the garment, your budget and the design complexity. A mix of methods can also work well, for example combining screen print logos with embroidered emblems for personalisation.

Using a Design Studio

The easiest way to create design your own gym wear UK is through an online design studio. These tools allow you to upload logos, experiment with fonts and preview designs on a range of garments. They simplify the process, letting you test colour combinations and print placements before committing to an order.
Using a design studio also reduces errors and speeds up production, as artwork is formatted correctly from the start. For teams and businesses, it is a collaborative tool that ensures everyone is aligned before the garments are printed.

Where to Design Your Own Gym Wear Online

Designing your own custom gym wear in the UK specifically is a chance to combine style, performance and identity. Use online tools like Teesh’s Design Studio, a space for hand-picked activewear blanks that you can upload artwork directly onto. Our personal favourites are custom active sports bras, active tees and tote bags for the gym essentials. Choose your blanks, upload your designs or use the design tools and get custom gym wear sent straight to your door.

By choosing the right garments, selecting performance fabrics and using the right decoration methods, you can create activewear that stands out in a crowded market. Great for kitting out a sports team, building a fitness brand or simply creating clothing for personal use. Starting with quality blanks and a reliable design studio ensures the best results.

Explore activewear ranges, experiment with your designs and bring your ideas to life with garments that are built for training, performance and style.