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Where the Gym Ends and Real Life Begins
The shorts you'll grab every single morning without thinking twice.
Most gym shorts make a trade-off — sacrifice substance for stretch, or weight for breathability. The American Apparel 2PQ Unisex Pique Gym Shorts refuse that deal. Built from 6.5 oz. 100% ring-spun cotton pique at 24 singles, these are the rare shorts that feel just as at home on a weight room floor as they do on a Sunday afternoon walk to the farmers market.
What Makes Pique Different
Pique isn't just a texture choice — it's an engineering decision. The tight, raised weave pattern in ring-spun cotton creates natural air channels across the fabric's surface, improving airflow and wicking without relying on synthetic performance fabrics. You get breathability from the structure of the cloth itself, not from a chemical treatment that washes out after a season. That's a meaningful difference, especially in a heavy 6.5 oz. fabric that holds its shape without going limp mid-workout.
The result is a short that feels substantial — not like a tissue-paper throwaway — but never clingy, never stiff.
Built With the Right Details
The covered elastic waistband with an internal white drawcord strikes a balance that most gym shorts miss: a clean, smooth exterior that looks polished, with an adjustable fit underneath that stays exactly where you set it. No exposed elastic bunching at the front. No drawcord getting tangled in the wash.
Pockets are a serious commitment here. A back pocket handles your phone or card when you need it, and self-fabric side pockets — made from the same pique cotton as the shell — add functional depth without the cheap nylon-lining look that undercuts otherwise quality shorts. The tear-away label takes care of the last remaining annoyance of a new garment.
The relaxed fit is genuinely relaxed — designed for freedom of movement through squats, lunges, sprints, or just long stretches on the couch — without the excessive volume that makes gym shorts look sloppy when you're off the floor.
Note: Heather Grey colorway is a 90/10 cotton/polyester blend, which gives it a slightly softer hand and a marled visual texture.
Responsible by Design
These shorts are made with BCI (Better Cotton Initiative) certified cotton in a facility certified by both OEKO-TEX® and the Fair Labor Association (FLA). That means no harmful substances in the fabric, and verified ethical standards throughout the supply chain. American Apparel also eliminates polybags from packaging across the line, keeping unnecessary plastic out of landfills at scale.
The Specs
Perfect For: Custom screen printing, sports team uniforms, gym merchandise, branded activewear, intramural league shorts, camp gear, and bulk wholesale orders.
Pair with an American Apparel T-Shirt for a matched set that works as hard as you do — and looks clean enough to wear straight from the gym to wherever the day takes you next.