July 2, 2026
There are two kinds of product designers.
Some create products from behind a desk.
Others create them by living the problem first.
For Michael Tseng, Founder and CEO of Verse Fitness, every product begins with experience. Whether it's a portable squat rack (a.k.a. the Verse Agile Rack), a resistance band, or a pair of tennis shorts, the process is always the same: identify the friction, obsess over the details, test relentlessly, and refuse to settle until every element serves a purpose.
That philosophy has shaped Verse Fitness from day one.
It also led to one unexpected project—a pair of tennis shorts designed to solve a problem that most players simply accept.
From the Weight Room to the Tennis Court
Michael has spent years building Verse around one central idea: versatility.
The company's portable strength equipment is designed to be lightweight and portable without sacrificing durability, allowing athletes to train almost anywhere. That same design philosophy carries into the apparel line. Rather than chasing trends, the idea is to solve a specific use case or performance problem.
That attention to detail was put to the test when Michael returned to competitive tennis after a 25-year hiatus. Following two years of preparation—including overcoming injuries and rebuilding his game—he entered a grass-court tournament in Palm Springs. Five matches over four days in temperatures approaching 90 degrees demanded apparel that could keep up with every sprint, serve, and change of direction.
The result? Michael won the championship while wearing the very apparel he designed. Get an inside look at Michael's pre-tournament routine and hear him explain the inspiration and innovation behind Verse's latest tennis apparel. Watch Mike's "Get Ready with Me" Video.
Designing for the Moments That Matter
Every product should solve a real problem.
For the Verse apparel line, that meant questioning everything—from how a hat fits to how a pair of shorts performs after hours of competition.
The Verse Performance Cap, for example, went through numerous revisions before reaching its final design. The profile became slightly deeper for a more comfortable fit. The embroidered logos were refined. Even the stitching and proportions were adjusted until everything felt exactly right.
That same attention carried into the Sleeveless Performance Tee.
Instead of a traditional tank top, Michael preferred a cut that offered more shoulder coverage while leaving complete freedom through the shoulders for serves, overheads, and groundstrokes. The result is breathable, lightweight, and slightly oversized without feeling bulky—a balance that proved itself during long matches under the desert sun.
Then there were the shorts. That's where the real innovation began.
Solving a Problem Every Tennis Player Knows
Anyone who's played competitive tennis has experienced it.
You tuck two or three balls into your pockets.
You sprint toward the next point.
Suddenly the balls are bouncing around, stretching the pocket, shifting your balance—or worse, falling onto the court.
Most players accept it as part of the game.
Michael didn't.
Instead, he designed around it.
The Verse Premium Performance Shorts feature an adjustable drawstring built directly into each leg opening, allowing players to customize the fit around their thighs. Tighten the opening slightly, and the tennis balls stay secure without restricting movement.
It's an elegantly simple solution born from firsthand experience.
Even better, the details don't stop there.
The drawstrings tuck neatly into a small branded tab so nothing hangs loose. The waist drawstrings stay inside the shorts to eliminate distractions. A subtle faux fly creates a cleaner look while making the shorts intuitive to put on.
None of these features demand attention.
But together, they quietly improve every point.
That's exactly how thoughtful design should work.
Strength Training for Better Tennis
Michael's success wasn't built solely on time spent with a racquet.
Strength training played a major role in preparing his body for competition.
While many athletes associate the Verse Agile Rack with heavy squats and bench presses, Michael uses it differently during tennis training.
Resistance Bands can be attached directly to the rack for shoulder health exercises, rotational strength work, and joint-focused movements that support serving mechanics and injury prevention.
The Verse Resistance Bands make it easy to train rotational power and shoulder stability almost anywhere, while the Verse Folding Bench expands exercise options for upper-body and core work.
Together, these tools help athletes build the strength and resilience needed for repeated serves, explosive lateral movement, and long matches. (Check out the exercises here!)
For tennis players—especially those balancing performance with longevity—that kind of training can make all the difference.
The Meaning Behind VERSEability
At Verse, versatility has always been part of the mission.
But Michael often talks about something slightly different.
He calls it VERSEability.
It's the belief that athletes shouldn't have to choose between strength and mobility, performance and comfort, or training and everyday life. This Heavyweight Premium Tee boldly makes that statement.
The best products don't force compromises.
They help people become more capable in every environment—whether they're lifting in a garage gym, competing on a tennis court, or simply pursuing a healthier, stronger lifestyle.
That philosophy lives inside every Verse product.
And in Palm Springs, it helped carry Michael through five demanding matches, a championship run, and a comeback 25 years in the making.
Sometimes, great products aren't imagined.
They're earned—one match, one workout, and one thoughtful detail at a time.
