Funny Gym Shirts: 40 Workout Shirt Ideas for Lifters, Runners and People Who Hate Cardio

Gym shirts are the most-worn custom shirts anyone owns because they get used three times a week, in front of the same people. That makes them the best place for a joke that only the regulars get. Here are 40 funny gym shirt ideas by training style, then the practical part: fabric, print placement and gifting.

Fabric first

Fabric	In the gym	Print quality
100% cotton	Comfortable, absorbs sweat, heavier when wet	Best
Cotton-poly blend	Lighter, dries faster	Good
100% polyester	Dries fastest, can smell after months	Poor for direct-to-garment

For lifting and classes, cotton is fine. For long runs in heat, a blend. See cotton vs polyester.

40 funny gym shirt ideas

Lifting

1. "I lift things up and put them down. Repeatedly. On purpose."
2. "Leg day: cancelled due to leg day"
3. "Deadlifts and regret"
4. "My warm-up is your workout" (on a small person)
5. "Currently between sets"
6. "Sponsored by pre-workout"
7. "Personal record: 3 gym visits in one week"
8. A cartoon of a barbell bending under a tiny plate: "Ego lift"
9. "Rest day is a myth" on one, "Rest day is my favourite day" on the other

Running

10. "Running late is my cardio"
11. "I run because I really like snacks"
12. "0.0 miles: not a runner, just here for the shirt"
13. "Slow is a pace"
14. "Will run for coffee"
15. "In my defence, the route looked shorter on the map"
16. Marathon shirt: the race name with "Survived" and the time

CrossFit and classes

17. "Burpees don't like you either"
18. "3, 2, 1... regret"
19. "6am class. Send help."
20. "Spin class: pedalling nowhere, fast"
21. "Kettlebell curious"

Yoga and pilates

22. "Namaste in bed"
23. "Downward dog is my favourite dog"
24. "Pilates: the gentle art of shaking violently"
25. "Flexible about attending"

Beginners and reluctant members

26. "Gym membership: active. Gym attendance: pending."
27. "I'm here. That's the workout."
28. "Sweating like a beginner because I am one"
29. "Trying something new (this shirt)"
30. "Mostly here for the sauna"

Personalised and group

31. Your gym crew as cartoon versions of yourselves, one per shirt
32. A fake sponsor logo with your name: "Team Priya, Powered by Naps"
33. Your dog as a personal trainer on the back
34. Couple set: "Spotter" and "Spotted"; see matching hoodies
35. Running club name in a retro badge, see team shirts

Gifts for gym people

36. Their PR number in giant varsity type
37. "Gym rat" with a cartoon rat curling a dumbbell
38. A protein-shake cartoon with their name on the bottle
39. "Coach" and the year for a trainer
40. A hoodie with a tiny chest logo of their favourite lift

Print placement that survives a sweat

Big chest prints on a cotton shirt feel heavy when soaked. For shirts you will actually train in, a small chest print or a back print keeps the front breathable. Keep the design off the shoulders on a hoodie so the straps of a gym bag do not wear it.

Making it

One sentence: "a cartoon rat curling a dumbbell with the words Gym Rat in bold retro type, black and orange, no background". The Wearlie designer generates it; order on a tee, hoodie or cap. No minimum.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a custom gym shirt cost?

About $36 for a tee and $48 for a hoodie, shipping included.

Will the print survive frequent washing?

Yes if washed cold, inside out, and not tumble dried hot. See how to wash printed shirts.

Do you print on performance polyester?

Our custom tees are cotton; a printed cotton tee is the better choice for the gym floor, a blend for long-distance running.