Wearing a fitness uniform can boost team morale and build a culture of professionalism within an organisation or business. It is also worth noting that the uniform and clothing worn by staff members form an integral part of how an organisation is perceived by their customers. From personal trainers and fitness instructors to wellness advisors and receptionists, the way in which members of staff present themselves is extremely important. It is for this reason, that sufficient thought and planning to this aspect of your business is paramount. This blog post aims to outline some of the key issues to consider when ordering fitness uniforms and professional outfits for your staff.
This is arguably one of the most important tasks when ordering clothing for your business. To find a supplier that will meet your needs, it is a good idea to first establish if the company specialises in the clothing you require and that it uses the appropriate printing processes.
When it comes to selecting T-shirts and polos to create the perfect gym staff uniform, it is recommended that fitness organizations choose garments manufactured from sports performance material. This type of apparel is usually Polyester based, which is renowned for its durability, comfort and breathability. Other fabric types which full under the sports performance umbrella include Spandex, Polyamide and Elastane, all of which have their own unique characteristics adding to the appeal of choosing T-shirts and polo shirts made from Performance material
When considering what printing process and application should be used on performance clothing, it is recommended that vinyl heat press is used as opposed to embroidery, which may affect the properties of the garments.
After ascertaining that the uniform company is able to supply the garments you require and that they will use the appropriate print application, it is advisable to inspect the supplier’s credentials. We would suggest that you check the following:
There are a number of options to consider when deciding which type of garment would be suitable for your members of staff. We would recommend that when choosing clothing for both men and women, you ensure that styles and colours are available in unisex and female fittings. In some cases, you may find that these differ in the equivalent male and female versions.
Job roles may also influence what type of apparel should be worn as part of the staff uniform. For instance, a technical T-shirt may be appropriate wear for a fitness instructor or personal trainer, whereas polo shirts may present a more professional image for reception staff. Likewise, male fitness staff members might wear shorts and female sales advisors, leggings. By opting for garments which correspond with other team members, you can ensure that your business not only looks professional but is stylish too.
Personalising, branding, customising – whatever term you use, this next step in the creation of your staff uniform is crucial to the success of staff presentation. Personalisation usually consists of printing your company logo, details and, in some cases, staff names, onto garments. Making sure that your logo will reproduce well can prove to be the most challenging aspect of the printing process. In our opinion, the main issues to take into account when reproducing company logos are:-
a) That the text on the logo is the right size. Very small text will not be seen by your customers and looks unprofessional. If this is the case, we would recommend that the text is either removed altogether or enlarged (the standard width for a logo on either the left or right side on the chest is 8cm). Your uniform supplier should point this out to you before going ahead with the printing process.
b) That the logo you intend using is of high quality. Logos and designs should be high resolution and at least 800 x 800 pixels in size (Use the suppliers website to check the quality of your logo)
c) That your logo does not consist of lots of effects such as fading and shadowing. In general, these types of logo do not reproduce as well as single or dual colour designs. You should also check that when using the supplier’s website, it is possible to upload your logo (onto your selected garments) to check its quality.
d) That the supplier’s website allows you to flick between apparel options (using the online designer), thus enabling you to find the garments which coordinate best with your logo design. Traditionally, logos are printed on the left-hand side of the chest, and job roles i.e. ‘Personal Trainer’ or ‘Fitness Instructor’ are printed on the back of the garment. Again, it is advisable to use the website’s online designer to add text in different print positions to evaluate what works best for your business.
When it’s time to review and place your order, it is advisable to firstly request a detailed quote from your chosen supplier (this is especially important when a large order is involved). Any reputable supplier should be able to provide this facility as well as a detailed summary of your order to include mock-ups (images of your chosen garments with the respective print on both front and back, if applicable) along with details of their pricing terms. This can then be approved by you before placing your order and paying for it by either bank card or Paypal.
The process of ordering your company’s fitness uniform does not have to be an arduous one. By sourcing a reliable and reputable supplier and following these recommended steps, you can create a professional and stylish uniform that not only complements your fitness brand and company, but one which your staff members are very proud to wear.
