Once your gym or studio has ID cards ready, the next decision is how staff and members will actually carry them. Two common options are printed lanyards and card holders (clips, wallets, or badge reels). Each suits a different role and setting, and many Dubai studios end up using both, depending on who's wearing the card and where.
Printed Lanyards: Best For
- Staff and trainers who need visible identification — a lanyard keeps a card at chest height, easy for members and visitors to see at a glance
- Larger studios or multi-floor gyms — where members may need to identify staff quickly across a bigger space
- Front-desk and management teams — who interact with the public throughout their shift and benefit from an obviously worn, branded ID
- Branding consistency — a printed lanyard carries your studio's logo and colours all day, functioning as a small piece of ongoing brand visibility
Browse the Lanyard Printing collection for options that can be matched to your staff ID cards.
Card Holders and Clips: Best For
- Members who don't need to display ID all the time — a card kept in a wallet, gym bag, or on a keyring clip is often more practical for people attending classes rather than working on-site
- Access-tap systems — where a card just needs to be tapped or scanned at entry rather than worn visibly throughout a visit
- Staff working in active or physical roles — trainers leading high-movement classes (e.g. boxing, HIIT, or martial arts) may prefer a clipped card or badge reel that stays secure rather than a lanyard that can swing or catch during activity
- Studios wanting a lower-profile look — some boutique studios prefer staff not to wear visible lanyards as part of their aesthetic, using discreet clips instead
Making the Choice for Your Studio
A simple way to decide: if the priority is visibility and constant identification (front desk, sales staff, large gyms), a lanyard is usually the better fit. If the priority is practicality during active movement or a lower-profile look (trainers leading physical classes, boutique studios), a card holder or clip may suit better. Many gyms use lanyards for front-of-house and administrative staff, and clips or badge reels for trainers who are physically active during their shift.
Using Both Together
It's common for a single studio to use both — lanyards for reception, sales, and management, and card holders or clips for active training staff — as long as the ID cards themselves stay consistent in branding and format across the team. Members, meanwhile, typically keep their own card in a wallet or on a keyring rather than wearing it visibly.
For guidance on choosing the ID card itself before deciding how it's carried, see our Gym Membership ID Card Guide. For the full list of printed items a new Dubai gym or studio typically needs, see our main guide: Gym & Fitness Studio Opening Printing Package in Dubai.
