Built For Athletes: the Warrington brothers carrying gym culture worldwide

Walk into almost any serious gym, or line up at a HYROX race, and there is a good chance you will spot a Built For Athletes bag. What fewer people realise is that the brand behind those distinctive backpacks was born and is still based in Cheshire, in Warrington.

Built For Athletes was founded in 2018 by brothers Daniel and Nicholas Costello, who brought together backgrounds in fitness, finance and marketing. Their idea was simple but effective: to design backpacks, gym bags and rucksacks that work as hard as the people carrying them, with the organisation and durability that training demands and the looks to carry from the gym to the office.

The business has grown rapidly. In 2022 it secured investment from River Capital, and the investor later reported that the brand's revenue had risen by 64 per cent following its backing. Built For Athletes now reaches more than 180,000 athletes around the world with its products and has established itself as a leading athletic lifestyle brand.

High-profile partnerships have helped to raise its profile further. The brand has developed a collection with Oracle Red Bull Racing, bringing its kit to Formula One fans, and has maintained a strong presence in the world of HYROX, the fitness racing format that has exploded in popularity in recent years.

The momentum has continued into 2026. In February, Warrington Worldwide reported that Built For Athletes had secured a £1 million growth investment from NatWest, giving the business fresh firepower as it pursues its ambitions on the global stage.

It is a story that will resonate with anyone who cares about Cheshire's business community. Built For Athletes is a reminder that a homegrown brand, started by two brothers with a clear idea, can compete with the biggest names in sportswear, and do so without leaving the county. The company is based in the Stockton Heath area of Warrington.

For the region's growing number of gym-goers, runners and fitness racers, it is also a brand with a local story worth telling, and one that seems set for plenty more growth.

The full range is available online at builtforathletes.com.