Wellness Meets Wearables: Fitness Boom Drives Demand for Custom Activewear & Blank Athleisure Garments
Over the years, we’ve seen a steady rise in fitness and wellness culture not only shaping lifestyle choices but also influencing fashion trends. As the focus on health and wellbeing grows, gym clothing has evolved into more than just activewear. Today, athleisurewear leads the market, blending performance-driven features with a stylish, comfortable aesthetic fit for everyday life.
From hoodies and oversized tees to leggings, yoga pants, and sports bras, athleisure garments are designed to transition seamlessly from workout to downtime. For garment decorators, this trend creates a prime opportunity to offer customised, on-trend pieces that people want to wear day in, day out.
At Prestige Leisure, we stock all the blank garments you need to help your customers tap into the booming athleisure market. But who exactly is buying into this trend and how can decorators reach them?
Here’s a closer look at key consumer groups:
Private gyms & Personal Trainers
Customised gym wear has become extremely popular amongst private gym owners and personal trainers. Branded activewear that features company logos, motivational slogans or even personalised client names becomes an extension of their brand, helping them promote themselves and their business to clients. Popular garments your customers would be interested in includes oversized t-shirts and hoodies, leggings, shorts and wicking t-shirts that can transform one look from workout to streetwear.
Wellness Brands & Yoga Studios
Wellness focused brands value alignment with eco-conscious and ethically made garments. Soft materials, muted tones and relaxed fit garments that work well for targeting yoga instructors, meditation groups and wellness centres. Blank garments made from organic cotton, recycles fibres and certified dyes are ideal options for consumers in that industry.
Health Retreats & Events
Fitness events such as wellness retreats, running clubs and charity challengers have a demand for high quality events merchandise. Whether its moisture wicking t-shirts as part of a participant welcome pack or branded hoodies sold at an events pop-up shop, these events create perfect opportunities for garment decorators. Catering for the events market requires you to have a supplier that can provide bulk blank garments quickly, offer flexible delivery options and accommodate tight deadlines. At Prestige Leisure we have high stock levels, stock sourcing service and reliable delivery helping you streamline your ordering process so you can meet your customer's needs.
We spoke to Natasha Chase, Marketing Executive at Norty, about the latest garment trends — and how Tombo and SF fit seamlessly into these trends, combining on-trend design with endless opportunities for customisation.
What wellness or lifestyle trends inspired your latest collection of athleisure or studio wear?
Tombo’s new launches taps into the athleisure wear trend, motivated by the desire to equip everyone throughout their day, from the Pilates studio to the coffee shop, to work and the school-run. The TL330 Ladies’ Unitard, for example, can be worn to workout in, under a jumper in the workplace or to relax in style at the airport.
What functional features do you prioritise in your wellness-related garments (e.g. breathability, moisture-wicking, 4-way stretch)?
Tombo’s fabrication in the new TL583 Men’s Technical Trouser and TL615/TL616 Ladies’/Men’s Double Layer Sports’ Short feature an innovative 4-way stretch microfibre, to truly maximise the breathability, flexibility and technicality of the garments. This fabrication enhances the durability of product, whilst also boasting moisture-wicking properties – to keep wearers cool in motion.
Why do you think items like cropped tops, leggings, and yoga pants have gained traction?
The appeal of these items lies in their fusion of fashion and comfort. For busy days with errands to run, people need clothes that facilitate movement and remain uncomplicated – however, oftentimes this is achieved at the cost of style. SF caters for those who don’t want to sacrifice fashion but still require functionality and comfort. Designed for the fashion-forward mentality and varied modern lifestyle.
What decoration methods work best for items like leggings or stretch wear (e.g. heat press, embroidery, DTF)?
Stretch fabrics, such as the leggings, suit a stretch/flex HTV and DTF would also be effective. Embroidery is also possible, if steps are taken to stabilise the fabric (appropriate backing, ensure fabric is taut but not stretched in the hoop). Feel free to get creative!
From Yoga Studios to Private Gyms — How Blank Activewear, Branded Hoodies, and Wicking T-Shirts are Powering the UK Wellness Apparel Market
As the wellness and fitness movement continues to grow, so too does the demand for high-quality, stylish, and functional apparel. For garment decorators, this is more than a trend, t's a long-term shift that offers real commercial opportunity across multiple sectors, from boutique gyms and yoga studios to corporate wellness schemes and wellness events.
With the right range of blank garments and a creative approach to decoration, decorators can deliver apparel that not only performs but also resonates with today’s health-conscious, brand-aware consumer.
At Prestige Leisure, we’re here to support you with a wide selection of activewear and lifestyle garments ready for rebranding - so you can confidently meet the needs of this thriving market.