- This is a collaborative process. You have full control over the designs and we expect you to provide us with feedback and edits. It is fairly normal and reasonable to go 1-5 rounds of revisions. We'll be working quickly to get the edits done. Most edits are delivered same day or next day.
2. What are the different design options? - You can provide your own design if you'd like. However, most of clients rely on us for design work. We can work on a custom idea for you or you can borrow an idea from our best seller templates. There is no extra fee or art charge for either method.
3. What’s the timeline for production? - It only takes us 2 weeks to print and ship your order.
4. What is the process for ordering merchandise? - You can collect your own order and submit it to me in any organized manner. If you need help collecting a preorder, I am happy to run a webstore for you. There is no extra fee for our webstore option.
Costs and Pricing
5. What is the pricing structure? - There are no set up, screen, or miscellaneous charges. The pricing is based on the design itself. Most projects wind up somewhere between $12-20 per item. There are a few factors with apparel pricing- the garment, number of ink colors, how many print areas (front only or front and back), and the number of items ordered. You can send me over a previous order and I'm happy to run a quote for oyu.
6. What are the shipping fees? - Shipping is $1 per item
7. What payment options are available? - We require payment up front.
Product Details
8. What type of garments do you offer? - I keep a focused garment catalog that is specifically made for gym owners to help save you time and energy and eliminate the possibility of selecting low quality items. I send garment samples to the gym prior to ordering so you can see how things fit and feel.
9. What is the quality of the printing? - Our print method is meant it hold up a lifetime. I have many items in my closet that are 10+ years old and still look good. The print should not wash off or fade.
Sales Optimization
10. How do you help optimize merchandise sales? - We offer a full marketing gameplan to help you and your staff get on the same page about marketing while the order is active. - We have helped gym owners sell millions of shirts. If you only have time to do one thing, you need to make an announcement before and after every class. If you do this, you will see great sales. If you just post once on social media and think that is all you need to do, you will not have great sales.
11. How often should I order to meet demand? - I recommend about 3-5 orders a year. That is doable for most gyms.
Support and Flexibility
12. What kind of support do you offer post-order? - If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about your order, simply reach out to me and we'll get it resolved.
As a gym owner, you already have a lot on your plate, from managing day-to-day operations to creating exceptional experiences for your members. That's why we’ve designed theApparel Plan, a solution tailored to take the stress out of ordering custom apparel for your gym. With this free, non-contractual service, you'll never miss an apparel order again. By following our plan, clients typically see a 30% increase in apparel sales—thanks to proactive reminders and key order times around major events like the Open, Memorial Day, and the seasonal shifts of Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Here’s an in-depth look at how our process works, and why it’s the best option for keeping your gym’s apparel game strong and profitable.
Step-by-Step Apparel Ordering Process
1.Design Phase
In the apparel world, design is everything. Whether you’re looking for something pre-made, something based on your ideas, or a fully custom design, we’ve got you covered. Here's how we make the magic happen:
Option 1: Best Sellers and Templates We offer a collection of best-selling, customizable designs. These templates can be tailored to your brand by adjusting fonts, garments, colors, and other design elements. It’s a quick, effective way to get a fresh look without starting from scratch.
Option 2: Client Direction Want more control over the design? No problem. Send us reference images, ideas, or directions, and our team will create a design based on your vision. You get to guide the creative process, ensuring the final product aligns perfectly with your brand.
Option 3: Custom Design If you need something completely unique, our expert design team will create a custom design specifically for your gym. Whether it's a limited-edition release or something iconic to represent your brand, we’ll make it happen.
And don’t worry about extra costs. We provide unlimited design revisions at no additional charge—1 to 5 rounds of revisions are common, and we make sure every detail is just right.
2.Garment Samples
One of the best ways to increase apparel sales is by letting your members experience the product firsthand. That's why we providecomplimentary garment samples, so you can check the fit, feel, and quality before making your final decision.
If the initial samples don’t meet your expectations, no sweat—we'll swap them out for garments that do. Once you have the perfect samples, display them at your gym so members can try them on. Statistics show that members are70% more likely to make a purchaseafter seeing and feeling the apparel in person.
3.Preorder Setup
When it comes to managing preorders, we offer two flexible options:
Self-Managed Preorder If you’ve got an efficient preorder system in place, you can manage everything on your end. This gives you total control over your sales process and member engagement.
Webstore Option If you’d rather have us handle the details, we offer a webstore service where we manage everything from order collection to payment processing. This option reduces your workload and ensures a seamless experience for both you and your members. Interested in this option? Just let us know, and we’ll provide all the details.
4.Production and Pricing
We know that time and cost are major factors when it comes to apparel orders. That’s why our production timeline is set toapproximately 2 weeks, ensuring a quick turnaround without compromising on quality. Here's how our pricing works:
$10-14 per itemfor a1-color, front-onlyprint.
$14-19 per itemfor3-4 ink colors, with both front and back printing options.
These prices may vary depending on garment choice, but we work with you to ensure you maintain healthy profitability margins. Plus, we pride ourselves on transparency—there are no hidden fees, setup charges, or recurring costs.Shipping costsare minimal, typicallyaround $1 per item.
Why Our Apparel Plan Works
Our service is more than just a way to order apparel; it’s a strategy to grow your revenue, increase member engagement, and elevate your gym’s brand. With proactive reminders and key ordering windows, we make sure you’re always prepared, no matter how busy things get. The combination of flexible design options, garment samples, and hassle-free preorders ensures a seamless experience from start to finish.
By following our process, you’ll not only provide your members with high-quality apparel but also create opportunities to increase sales and build a strong community around your gym’s brand. Ready to get started? Let us help you take the next step in growing your apparel sales and building your gym’s identity!
The Ultimate Guide to Selling Gym Apparel on a $0 Budget
1. Introduction
Welcome to the ultimate guide to selling gym apparel on a $0 budget. My goal with this guide is simple: to provide you with proven strategies to start your own apparel line without spending a dime. This isn’t about fairy tales or made-up stories to make a point. You’re getting real, actionable advice from someone who has sold millions of pieces of apparel and helped gym owners put millions of dollars back into their pockets.
You’re about to dive into one of the most competitive industries in the world—athleisure apparel. This is a multi-billion-dollar market dominated by giants like Nike, Lululemon, and NOBULL, all of whom use powerful emotional triggers like fame, sex appeal, and status to drive sales. But here’s the thing: Youcancompete with them. And I’m going to show you exactly how to build an apparel line that your gym members will choose over those big names—and without any upfront investment.
This isn’t "monkey see, monkey do." This is real strategy from someone who has done it. Keep an open mind, and let’s get started.
2. Building a Culture of Apparel
Results alone aren’t enough to keep members loyal to your gym. You’ve seen it happen: you help clients reach their goals, and yet they still send that dreaded cancellation email.
To combat this, you need to create a community, and apparel plays a surprisingly powerful role in building that sense of belonging. Throughout history, clothing has helped forge communities. People are less likely to abandon something they feel a part of, and when your members wear your apparel, it symbolizes their connection to your gym. It reinforces that tribal feeling: “We’re in this together.”
To build this culture, consistency is key. Ordering apparel once a year doesn’t create that connection—it just looks like you’re trying to sell random stuff. The gyms that you admire most have a strong and consistent apparel presence. Their owners and coaches wear the gear. Their members ask for new items.
Apparel becomes part of the gym’s identity. In short, if you want your members to feel connected and stay longer, apparel needs to be part of the experience from day one. The only way to achieve this is through consistent offerings.
3. Creating an Apparel Plan
Consistency requires discipline, but life gets in the way. Busy schedules, personal emergencies, and staffing issues can easily push that apparel project you were excited about into next year.
That’s why you need an apparel plan—a pre-programmed strategy that ensures you stay on track. I’ve talked to countless gym owners, and the problem is always the same: their members ask for apparel, but they don’t have the time, creative energy, or organizational skills to make it happen.
An apparel plan solves this problem. It’s a free, no-contract calendar that ensures you offer apparel at the right times. Timing is crucial—selling hoodies in November is smart; in February, not so much.
Here’s a sample calendar:
January: Logo Tee April: Memorial Day/Patriotic Apparel June: Summer Package September: Fall Package November: Winter Package
Clients who follow an apparel plan sell 30% more than those who don’t. Pre-programmed consistency works. It works for fitness. It works for apparel.
4. The Limited Edition Mindset
Treat every apparel release like a limited edition. Offer each design once, then move on to the next. If your members think they can always get the same hoodie later, they’ll procrastinate. And by then, they might not even be members anymore.
Look at brands like NOBULL. They built a frenzy by releasing shoes in limited colors. People bought multiple pairs because they felt exclusive. Scarcity breeds demand. When people know they only have one week to buy a new hoodie, they act fast.
Nike might release 10,000 pairs of shoes in every size, but your gym is only offering this design once. That exclusivity drives sales.
5. The Four-Step Process to Every Apparel Order
Every apparel order follows these four steps:
Step 1: Design
Work with a vendor who handles design internally and doesn’t charge art fees. Avoid relying on freelancers or members, as this often causes delays. At Forever Fierce, we take care of the design process, offering you best-seller ideas or custom designs tailored to your needs.
Step 2: Samples
Always get garment samples. This avoids customer service issues down the line and increases preorders. Members are 70% more likely to order if they can touch and try on the apparel.
Step 3: Preorder
A preorder is simply an ordering window with a deadline. For example, you might take orders for Memorial Day apparel until May 1. After that, the price goes up. This strategy ensures that you collect orders—and payments—without any upfront costs.
Step 4: Production
Production should take 2-3 weeks. A good error rate for any vendor is 5% or less. Communicate professionally if mistakes happen. They’re rare but inevitable.
6. Getting the Most Out of a Preorder
Marketing your preorder is crucial. Most gym owners spend tons of time perfecting the design but put minimal effort into promoting it. Then, they wonder why only 18 people out of 250 members bought anything.
You need a system. Here’s mine:
Use templates to save time and ensure consistency.
Use a marketing checklist to track your efforts.
Set a deadline—7 days is plenty.
Leverage social proof by thanking members who have already ordered.
Use incentives like early-bird pricing or exclusive bonuses.
Above all, collect money as soon as someone commits. Don’t let people pay “when it comes in.” This ensures you won’t have to front any costs.
7. The Gym Owner Advantage
As a gym owner, you have a unique advantage: 3-5 hours a week of your members’ undivided attention. Use it! Be confident in selling apparel and other services. Members expect to buy merch at a gym. If you don’t offer it, they’ll find someone else who does.
8. Variety: The Magic Formula
Offering the right amount of variety is key. Here’s a simple formula:
1 design:The same design across all items.
2-4 garment options:Think long sleeve, hoodie, or baseball tee.
2-4 color choices:Include a dark color, a neutral, and a trendy color.
This gives members enough options (8-16 total) without overwhelming them.
9. Stats and Metrics
To measure your apparel success, track these three key metrics:
Percentage of members who purchased apparel:Aim for 20-30%.
Number of apparel orders completed:Aim for 3-5 per year.
Profit from apparel sales:$3,500 profit annually is a reasonable goal.
10. Conclusion
Offering apparel in your gym doesn’t have to be overwhelming. You just need a system, consistency, and the right partner to handle the details. Follow these steps, and you’ll be on your way to building a thriving apparel line that strengthens your gym community—and your bottom line.
