If you’re feeling stuck or like your apparel sales are going in reverse, you’re not alone. Many business owners expect steady growth with each apparel order, but the reality is that sales fluctuate:

The Dream vs. Reality:

Ideal Pattern:

Order 1: 30 shirts, Order 2: 45 shirts, Order 3: 85 shirts

Real Pattern:

Order 1: 30 shirts, Order 2: 60 shirts, Order 3: 28 shirts, Order 4: 48 shirts

While a variety of factors influence order size, you can still take action to increase your sales with the following tactics:

1. Offer Samples for a Boost in Sales

If members can touch and try on apparel, they’re 70% more likely to buy. People have been disappointed by poor fits before, so they’re cautious. Providing free sizing samples gives them confidence and can add a solid 10-15 extra sales. Don’t underestimate the power of letting your members try before they buy!

2. Shorten the Preorder Window

Long deadlines may seem helpful, but they actually work against you. A two-week ordering period opens the door for distractions, hesitation, and lost sales. Keep the window to 5-7 days; this creates a sense of urgency. Your core members will see the order, have time to decide, and take action—all without overthinking.

3. Market Consistently (Not Just Once)

Many gym owners wonder why an apparel order flopped after posting about it once on social media. Successful apparel sales need consistent, multi-channel marketing. Think regular posts on social media, reminders in classes, and even emails to members. To make this easy, I’ve compiled a simple, no-fluff guide with all the marketing strategies I’ve learned in my 11 years of experience. GET THE GUIDE

4. Use “Premium Inventory” Pricing

Encourage early orders by setting your preorder price lower than the inventory price. For example, offer the shirt at $30 if preordered, but price it at $35 once it’s in stock. This approach reflects the cost of holding inventory and creates an incentive to preorder. People are surprisingly motivated to save—even if it’s just $5 on a t-shirt.

5. Social Proof and Public Recognition

When people see others buying, they’re more likely to jump on board. Regularly thank buyers publicly, listing their names in posts or shout-outs. This public acknowledgment builds a sense of community and subtly encourages others to place their orders.

These strategies are designed to help you increase order size and simplify the apparel process. You don’t have to implement every tactic right away; just choose one or two to start.

Want a customized approach? Book a call, and let’s create a tailored plan to help you reach your sales goals! BOOK A CALL 

When it comes to designing apparel for your gym, I know the process can feel overwhelming. Some clients come in with a clear vision and plenty of time to dedicate to the project. Others are juggling a million things and can barely find the energy to think about design.

That’s why, at Forever Fierce, we’ve built a flexible approach to meet you where you are—no matter what your time, patience, or energy levels are. The best part? There are no artwork fees when you work with us, and most designs or edits are done within 24 hours to keep the process moving smoothly.

So, whether you're feeling inspired or a bit burned out, we’ve got you covered.

Three Ways We Can Design Your Apparel:

1. Best Sellers and Templates

This is by far our most popular option. Many gym owners like to start with our original, proven designs and then adapt them for their gym. Think of it as a starting point—something that’s already proven to sell well, but fully customizable to suit your needs. We’ve designed templates that are unique, eye-catching, and built to engage your members. You pick a template, and we handle the rest, adjusting colors, logos, or small details to make it yours.

• Why choose this? If you want something quick and effective, this is the way to go. The designs are easy to adapt and already have a track record of success with other gyms.
• The trade-off: While it’s rare, there’s a chance another gym could have a similar design. But don’t worry, we always work to make each design feel unique to your brand.

2. Client-Provided Direction

Some clients come to us with a clear vision of what they want—whether it’s a rough sketch, inspiration from another design, or even a fully developed idea. If you have the time and creativity to bring us direction, we’ll take it from there and mock it up in our professional templates to ensure the final product looks perfect.

• Why choose this? This option allows you to create a completely unique design for your gym. Your input and ideas take center stage, and we’ll make sure the final product reflects your vision.
• The trade-off: It may require some back-and-forth communication to get everything just right, and it might take a little extra time if you’re busy with other tasks.

3. The "Stressed Out, Burned Out Gym Owner Special"

Sometimes, life gets busy, and you just need someone to take the wheel. If you’re too swamped to think about design details, this option is for you. Simply give us the bare minimum direction (something like, “I need a hoodie design. Thanks!”), and we’ll do the research, suggest a couple of ideas, and keep the project moving forward.

• Why choose this? You can completely offload the task to us and focus on running your gym. We’ll handle the design work, so you don’t have to.
• The trade-off: You’ll need to provide some feedback to make sure the design matches your vision, and if you’re not in the mood for that, it could feel a little frustrating.