fitness clothing line business plan

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Fitness Clothing Line

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How to Start a Fitness Clothing Line

Written by: Carolyn Young

Carolyn Young is a business writer who focuses on entrepreneurial concepts and the business formation. She has over 25 years of experience in business roles, and has authored several entrepreneurship textbooks.

Edited by: David Lepeska

David has been writing and learning about business, finance and globalization for a quarter-century, starting with a small New York consulting firm in the 1990s.

Published on May 27, 2022 Updated on March 13, 2024

Investment range

$3,550 - $8,800

Revenue potential

$91,000 - $260,000 p.a.

Time to build

1 – 3 months

Profit potential

$36,000 - $104,000 p.a.

Industry trend

As fitness wear becomes more common outside the gym and more and more people look to get fit in stylish workout clothes, the sports apparel industry is in the middle of a boom. It’s expected to expand nearly a third by 2028, and fashion-forward fitness wear is a big part of that market, led by companies like Sweaty Betty and Alo Yoga. 

You could ride this growth by starting your own fitness clothing line and providing people the gear they need while making a good living. But before you get your creativity going, you’ll need to understand the business launch process. 

Luckily, this step-by-step guide has all the insight and information you need to put you on your way to fitness clothing success.

Looking to register your business? A limited liability company (LLC) is the best legal structure for new businesses because it is fast and simple.

Form your business immediately using ZenBusiness LLC formation service or hire one of the Best LLC Services .

Step 1: Decide if the Business Is Right for You

Pros and cons.

• Get Creative – Let your creative design juices flow
• Good Money – High profit margins on fitness clothing
• Global Market – Sell online to people all over the world
• Crowded Market – Compete with many established brands
• Manufacturer Needed – Finding a reliable manufacturer can be tough

Starting a fitness clothing line has pros and cons to consider before deciding if it’s right for you.

Fitness clothing industry trends

Industry size and growth.

• Industry size and past growth – In 2022, the global sports apparel industry is worth $202 billion after expanding nearly 5% the previous year.(( https://www.statista.com/statistics/254489/total-revenue-of-the-global-sports-apparel-market/ ))
• Growth forecast – The global sports apparel industry is projected to grow 32% by 2028.

Trends and challenges

Trends in the fitness clothing industry include:

• Athleisure wear, meaning clothing that you can wear to workout or just in everyday life, has seen a sharp rise in popularity. 
• Consumers are seeking sustainably made fitness clothing, particularly young adults.

Challenges in the fitness clothing industry include:

• The rising prices of raw materials is driving up the price of manufacturing for fitness clothing.
• Many people are getting into the fitness apparel market, making it highly competitive.

Demand hotspots

• Most popular states – The most popular states for fashion designers are Oregon, Washington, and Rhode Island.(( https://www.zippia.com/fashion-designer-jobs/best-states/ ))
• Least popular states – The least popular states for fashion designers are Hawaii, Alabama, and Iowa. 

What kind of people work in clothing lines?

• Gender – 82.7% of fashion designers are female, while 17.3% are male. (( https://www.zippia.com/fashion-designer-jobs/demographics/ ))
• Average level of education – The average fashion designer has a bachelor’s degree.
• Average age – The average fashion designer in the US is 38 years old.

How much does it cost to start a fitness clothing line business?

Startup costs for a fitness clothing line range from $3,500 to $9,000. Costs include a computer, fitness clothing design software, and samples of your fitness clothing from the manufacturer. 

To keep your costs low, you should find a white label manufacturer that offers drop shipping. They will produce your fitness clothing orders on-demand and ship directly to the customer, cutting your inventory costs to near-zero. 

If you want to hone your design skills, you can take online fashion design courses on sites like Udemy . 

You’ll need a handful of items to successfully launch your fitness clothing line business, including: 

• Fitness clothing design software

How much can you earn from a fitness clothing line business?

Prices for fitness clothing vary greatly. These calculations will assume that an average item will be priced at $25. Your profit margin after the cost of manufacturing should be about 40%. 

In your first year or two, you could work from home and sell 70 items a week, bringing in $91,000 in annual revenue. This would mean $36,000 in profit, assuming that 40% margin. As your brand gains recognition, sales could climb to 200 items per week. With annual revenue of $260,000, you’d make a handsome profit of $104,000.

What barriers to entry are there?

There are a few barriers to entry for a fitness clothing line. Your biggest challenges will be:

• The design skills needed to create appealing styles
• Standing out from established fitness brands

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Step 2: hone your idea.

Now that you know what’s involved in starting a fitness clothing line, it’s a good idea to hone your concept in preparation to enter a competitive market. 

Market research will give you the upper hand, even if you’re already positive that you have a perfect product or service. Conducting market research is important, because it can help you understand your customers better, who your competitors are, and your business landscape.

Why? Identify an opportunity

Research fitness clothing lines in your area to examine their products, price points, and customer reviews. You’re looking for a market gap to fill. For instance, maybe the local market is missing a fitness apparel business for plus sizes, or fitness clothing made from sustainable materials. 

You might consider targeting a niche market by specializing in a certain aspect of your industry, such as leggings or sports bras.

This could jumpstart your word-of-mouth marketing and attract clients right away. 

What? Determine your products or services

You’ll just need to design a series of clothing pieces that will make up your fitness clothing line. You can design clothing for men or women. 

How much should you charge for fitness clothing?

Fitness clothing prices have a huge range. Your prices will depend on the materials used as well as your costs from the manufacturer. After your costs, you should aim for a profit margin of about 40%. 

Once you know your costs, you can use this Step By Step profit margin calculator to determine your mark-up and final price points. Remember, the prices you use at launch should be subject to change if warranted by the market.

Who? Identify your target market

Your target market will be broad, so you should spread out your marketing to include sites like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook.

Where? Choose your business premises

In the early stages, you may want to run your business from home to keep costs low. But as your business grows, you’ll likely need to hire workers for various roles and may need to rent out an office. You can find commercial space to rent in your area on sites such as Craigslist , Crexi , and Instant Offices .

When choosing a commercial space, you may want to follow these rules of thumb:

• Central location accessible via public transport
• Ventilated and spacious, with good natural light
• Flexible lease that can be extended as your business grows
• Ready-to-use space with no major renovations or repairs needed

Step 3: Brainstorm a Business Name

Your business name is your business identity, so choose one that encapsulates your objectives, services, and mission in just a few words. You probably want a name that’s short and easy to remember, since much of your business, and your initial business in particular, will come from word-of-mouth referrals.

Here are some ideas for brainstorming your business name:

• Short, unique, and catchy names tend to stand out
• Names that are easy to say and spell tend to do better 
• Name should be relevant to your product or service offerings
• Ask around — family, friends, colleagues, social media — for suggestions
• Including keywords, such as “fitness clothing” or “fitness apparel”, boosts SEO
• Name should allow for expansion, for ex: “Fit Fashion Co.” over “Running Apparel”
• Avoid location-based names that might hinder future expansion
• Use online tools like the Step by Step Business Name Generator . Just type in a few keywords and hit “generate” and you’ll have dozens of suggestions at your fingertips.

Once you’ve got a list of potential names, visit the website of the US Patent and Trademark Office to make sure they are available for registration and check the availability of related domain names using our Domain Name Search tool. Using “.com” or “.org” sharply increases credibility, so it’s best to focus on these. 

Find a Domain

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Finally, make your choice among the names that pass this screening and go ahead with domain registration and social media account creation. Your business name is one of the key differentiators that sets your business apart. Once you pick your company name, and start with the branding, it is hard to change the business name. Therefore, it’s important to carefully consider your choice before you start a business entity.

Step 4: Create a Business Plan

Every business needs a plan. This will function as a guidebook to take your startup through the launch process and maintain focus on your key goals. A business plan also enables potential partners and investors to better understand your company and its vision:

• Executive Summary: A brief overview outlining the core elements of the fitness clothing line business plan, including its mission, objectives, and key highlights.
• Business Overview: A concise description of the fitness clothing line business, covering its mission, vision, values, and the problem it solves in the market.
• Product and Services: Clearly defined details about the fitness clothing line’s offerings, specifying the types of fitness apparel and related products.
• Market Analysis: An in-depth examination of the target market for the fitness clothing line, including demographics, trends, and potential opportunities.
• Competitive Analysis: Evaluation of competitors in the fitness clothing market, identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to inform the business strategy.
• Sales and Marketing: Strategies for promoting and selling the fitness clothing line, encompassing branding, advertising, and sales tactics to reach and attract the target audience.
• Management Team: An introduction to the key individuals leading the fitness clothing line business, highlighting their skills, experience, and roles within the company.
• Operations Plan: Details on the day-to-day operations of the fitness clothing line, covering production, supply chain, and logistics.
• Financial Plan: A comprehensive financial projection outlining revenue, expenses, and profitability for the fitness clothing line over a specified period.
• Appendix: Supplementary information and documents, such as market research data, additional financial details, or any other supporting materials relevant to the business plan.

If you’ve never created a business plan, it can be an intimidating task. You might consider hiring a business plan specialist to create a top-notch business plan for you.

Step 5: Register Your Business

Registering your business is an absolutely crucial step — it’s the prerequisite to paying taxes, raising capital, opening a bank account, and other guideposts on the road to getting a business up and running.

Plus, registration is exciting because it makes the entire process official. Once it’s complete, you’ll have your own business! 

Choose where to register your company

Your business location is important because it can affect taxes, legal requirements, and revenue. Most people will register their business in the state where they live, but if you’re planning to expand, you might consider looking elsewhere, as some states could offer real advantages when it comes to fitness clothing lines. 

If you’re willing to move, you could really maximize your business! Keep in mind, it’s relatively easy to transfer your business to another state. 

Choose your business structure

Business entities come in several varieties, each with its pros and cons. The legal structure you choose for your fitness clothing line will shape your taxes, personal liability, and business registration requirements, so choose wisely. 

Here are the main options:

• Sole Proprietorship – The most common structure for small businesses makes no legal distinction between company and owner. All income goes to the owner, who’s also liable for any debts, losses, or liabilities incurred by the business. The owner pays taxes on business income on his or her personal tax return.
• General Partnership – Similar to a sole proprietorship, but for two or more people. Again, owners keep the profits and are liable for losses. The partners pay taxes on their share of business income on their personal tax returns.
• Limited Liability Company (LLC) – Combines the characteristics of corporations with those of sole proprietorships or partnerships. Again, the owners are not personally liable for debts.
• C Corp – Under this structure, the business is a distinct legal entity and the owner or owners are not personally liable for its debts. Owners take profits through shareholder dividends, rather than directly. The corporation pays taxes, and owners pay taxes on their dividends, which is sometimes referred to as double taxation.
• S Corp – An S-Corporation refers to the tax classification of the business but is not a business entity. An S-Corp can be either a corporation or an LLC , which just need to elect to be an S-Corp for tax status. In an S-Corp, income is passed through directly to shareholders, who pay taxes on their share of business income on their personal tax returns.

We recommend that new business owners choose LLC as it offers liability protection and pass-through taxation while being simpler to form than a corporation. You can form an LLC in as little as five minutes using an online LLC formation service. They will check that your business name is available before filing, submit your articles of organization , and answer any questions you might have.

Form Your LLC

Choose Your State

We recommend ZenBusiness as the Best LLC Service for 2023

Step 6: Register for Taxes

The final step before you’re able to pay taxes is getting an Employer Identification Number , or EIN. You can file for your EIN online or by mail or fax: visit the IRS website to learn more. Keep in mind, if you’ve chosen to be a sole proprietorship you can simply use your social security number as your EIN. 

Once you have your EIN, you’ll need to choose your tax year. Financially speaking, your business will operate in a calendar year (January–December) or a fiscal year, a 12-month period that can start in any month. This will determine your tax cycle, while your business structure will determine which taxes you’ll pay.

The IRS website also offers a tax-payers checklist , and taxes can be filed online.

It is important to consult an accountant or other professional to help you with your taxes to ensure you’re completing them correctly.

Step 7: Fund your Business

Securing financing is your next step and there are plenty of ways to raise capital:

• Bank loans: This is the most common method but getting approved requires a rock-solid business plan and strong credit history.
• SBA-guaranteed loans: The Small Business Administration can act as guarantor, helping gain that elusive bank approval via an SBA-guaranteed loan .
• Government grants: A handful of financial assistance programs help fund entrepreneurs. Visit Grants.gov to learn which might work for you.
• Friends and Family: Reach out to friends and family to provide a business loan or investment in your concept. It’s a good idea to have legal advice when doing so because SEC regulations apply.
• Crowdfunding: Websites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo offer an increasingly popular low-risk option, in which donors fund your vision. Entrepreneurial crowdfunding sites like Fundable and WeFunder enable multiple investors to fund your business.
• Personal: Self-fund your business via your savings or the sale of property or other assets.

Bank and SBA loans are probably the best option, other than friends and family, for funding a fitness clothing line business. You might also try crowdfunding if you have an innovative concept. 

Step 8: Apply for Licenses/Permits

Starting a fitness clothing line business requires obtaining a number of licenses and permits from local, state, and federal governments.

Federal regulations, licenses, and permits associated with starting your business include doing business as (DBA), health licenses and permits from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration ( OSHA ), trademarks, copyrights, patents, and other intellectual properties, as well as industry-specific licenses and permits. 

You may also need state-level and local county or city-based licenses and permits. The license requirements and how to obtain them vary, so check the websites of your state, city, and county governments or contact the appropriate person to learn more. 

You could also check this SBA guide for your state’s requirements, but we recommend using MyCorporation’s Business License Compliance Package . They will research the exact forms you need for your business and state and provide them to ensure you’re fully compliant.

This is not a step to be taken lightly, as failing to comply with legal requirements can result in hefty penalties.

If you feel overwhelmed by this step or don’t know how to begin, it might be a good idea to hire a professional to help you check all the legal boxes.

Step 9: Open a Business Bank Account

Before you start making money, you’ll need a place to keep it, and that requires opening a bank account .

Keeping your business finances separate from your personal account makes it easy to file taxes and track your company’s income, so it’s worth doing even if you’re running your fitness clothing line business as a sole proprietorship. Opening a business bank account is quite simple, and similar to opening a personal one. Most major banks offer accounts tailored for businesses — just inquire at your preferred bank to learn about their rates and features.

Banks vary in terms of offerings, so it’s a good idea to examine your options and select the best plan for you. Once you choose your bank, bring in your EIN (or Social Security Number if you decide on a sole proprietorship), articles of incorporation, and other legal documents and open your new account.

Step 10: Get Business Insurance

Business insurance is an area that often gets overlooked yet it can be vital to your success as an entrepreneur. Insurance protects you from unexpected events that can have a devastating impact on your business.

Here are some types of insurance to consider:

• General liability: The most comprehensive type of insurance, acting as a catch-all for many business elements that require coverage. If you get just one kind of insurance, this is it. It even protects against bodily injury and property damage.
• Business Property: Provides coverage for your equipment and supplies.
• Equipment Breakdown Insurance: Covers the cost of replacing or repairing equipment that has broken due to mechanical issues.
• Worker’s compensation: Provides compensation to employees injured on the job.
• Property: Covers your physical space, whether it is a cart, storefront, or office.
• Commercial auto: Protection for your company-owned vehicle.
• Professional liability: Protects against claims from a client who says they suffered a loss due to an error or omission in your work.
• Business owner’s policy (BOP): This is an insurance plan that acts as an all-in-one insurance policy, a combination of the above insurance types.

Step 11: Prepare to Launch

As opening day nears, prepare for launch by reviewing and improving some key elements of your business. 

Essential software and tools

Being an entrepreneur often means wearing many hats, from marketing to sales to accounting, which can be overwhelming. Fortunately, many websites and digital tools are available to help simplify many business tasks. 

You may want to use fitness clothing design software, such as  Adobe , tailornova , or CLO , to organize your designs, track orders, handle inventory and more.

• Popular web-based accounting programs for smaller businesses include Quickbooks , Freshbooks , and Xero . 
• If you’re unfamiliar with basic accounting, you may want to hire a professional, especially as you begin. The consequences for filing incorrect tax documents can be harsh, so accuracy is crucial.

Develop your website

Website development is crucial because your site is your online presence and needs to convince prospective clients of your expertise and professionalism.

You can create your own website using website builders . This route is very affordable, but figuring out how to build a website can be time-consuming. If you lack tech-savvy, you can hire a web designer or developer to create a custom website for your business.

They are unlikely to find your website, however, unless you follow Search Engine Optimization ( SEO ) practices. These are steps that help pages rank higher in the results of top search engines like Google. 

For your fitness clothing line, the marketing strategy should focus on highlighting the quality, style, and functionality of your apparel. Emphasize the unique features of your products, such as high-performance materials, innovative designs, and the range of activities they are suited for.

The goal is to establish your brand as a top choice for fitness enthusiasts looking for clothing that is both fashionable and functional. Here are some powerful marketing strategies for your future business:

Kickstart Marketing

• Professional Branding : Your branding should convey a sense of energy, performance, and style. This includes your logo, product designs, and the overall aesthetic of your website and marketing materials.
• Direct Outreach : Network with fitness professionals, gyms, and sports teams to introduce your line and explore partnership opportunities. Attending fitness expos and trade shows can also be effective.

Digital Presence and Online Marketing

• Professional Website and SEO : Develop a sleek, user-friendly website showcasing your product range, with detailed descriptions and high-quality images. Optimize your site for search engines using keywords related to fitness apparel, activewear, and workout clothes.
• Social Media Engagement : Utilize platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest to showcase your apparel, share customer testimonials, and post engaging fitness-related content.

Content Marketing and Engagement

• Fitness and Fashion Blog : Share blog posts about fitness trends, style tips, and the features and benefits of your clothing line.
• Influencer Partnerships : Collaborate with fitness influencers to wear and promote your clothing, reaching their followers and enhancing brand credibility.
• Email Newsletters : Keep your audience informed about new product releases, special offers, and fitness tips through regular newsletters.

Experiential and In-Person Engagements

• Pop-Up Shops and Fitness Events : Organize pop-up shops at fitness events, gyms, or wellness festivals to showcase your products and allow customers to see and feel the quality firsthand.
• Sponsorship of Fitness Competitions : Sponsor local fitness competitions, races, or sports events to increase brand visibility and align your brand with athletic excellence.

Collaborations and Community

• Partnerships with Gyms and Fitness Centers : Partner with gyms and fitness centers to offer exclusive merchandise or co-branded apparel.
• Community Fitness Programs : Get involved in or sponsor community fitness initiatives, promoting a healthy lifestyle and your brand simultaneously.

Customer Relationship and Loyalty Programs

• Loyalty Rewards for Repeat Customers : Implement a loyalty program that offers discounts or exclusive access to new collections for loyal customers.
• Referral Discounts : Encourage word-of-mouth marketing by offering discounts to customers who refer friends and family.

Promotions and Advertising

• Targeted Online Advertising : Use online advertising platforms to reach fitness enthusiasts, particularly on social media and fitness-related websites.
• Seasonal Campaigns : Run seasonal promotions that align with fitness cycles, like New Year’s resolutions or summer fitness.

Focus on USPs

Unique selling propositions, or USPs, are the characteristics of a product or service that sets it apart from the competition. Customers today are inundated with buying options, so you’ll have a real advantage if they are able to quickly grasp how your fitness clothing meets their needs or wishes. It’s wise to do all you can to ensure your USPs stand out on your website and in your marketing and promotional materials, stimulating buyer desire. 

Global pizza chain Domino’s is renowned for its USP: “Hot pizza in 30 minutes or less, guaranteed.” Signature USPs for your fitness clothing line business could be: 

• Pump up your workout and look great at the same time
• Fitness wear for all shapes and sizes
• Be gorgeous and green in our sustainably-made fitness apparel

You may not like to network or use personal connections for business gain. But your personal and professional networks likely offer considerable untapped business potential. Maybe that Facebook friend you met in college is now running a fitness clothing line business, or a LinkedIn contact of yours is connected to dozens of potential clients. Maybe your cousin or neighbor has been working in fitness clothing for years and can offer invaluable insight and industry connections. 

The possibilities are endless, so it’s a good idea to review your personal and professional networks and reach out to those with possible links to or interest in fitness clothing. You’ll probably generate new customers or find companies with which you could establish a partnership. 

Step 12: Build Your Team

If you’re starting out small from a home office, you may not need any employees. But as your business grows, you will likely need workers to fill various roles. Potential positions for a fitness clothing line business include:

• Pattern Makers – create patterns for fitness clothing
• Seamstresses – sew sample fitness clothing to test designs
• General Manager – scheduling, accounting
• Marketing Lead – SEO strategies, social media

At some point, you may need to hire all of these positions or simply a few, depending on the size and needs of your business. You might also hire multiple workers for a single role or a single worker for multiple roles, again depending on need. 

Free-of-charge methods to recruit employees include posting ads on popular platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, or Jobs.com. You might also consider a premium recruitment option, such as advertising on Indeed , Glassdoor , or ZipRecruiter . Further, if you have the resources, you could consider hiring a recruitment agency to help you find talent. 

Step 13: Start Making Money!

The fitness wear market is growing fast, which means now is a great time to ride the wave and start your own fitness clothing line. If you have a flair for design and a passion for good clothing, you could create a fitness brand worn around the world! 

You’ve done your entrepreneurial homework, so now it’s time to start designing your successful fitness clothing future.

• Fitness Clothing Line Business FAQs

Yes, you can start a fitness clothing line from your home. You’ll need a computer and some fitness clothing design software, and then find a white label manufacturer to produce your fitness clothing.

Fitness clothing prices have a huge range. Your prices will depend on the fabric used and your brand identity – high-end, affordable, or somewhere in between. They will also depend on your costs from the manufacturer. 

You should aggressively market your fitness clothing online. You need to tailor your message to your target market, so you’ll need to do some research about what your customers like about your fitness clothing line.

Your fitness clothing should have some differentiating factors like quality , comfort , durability , attractiveness , or low prices . 

Your best bet is to look at the reputation of different manufacturers. You can also order item prototypes so that you can evaluate the quality.

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• Decide if the Business Is Right for You
• Hone Your Idea
• Brainstorm a Business Name
• Create a Business Plan
• Register Your Business
• Register for Taxes
• Fund your Business
• Apply for Licenses/Permits
• Open a Business Bank Account
• Get Business Insurance
• Prepare to Launch
• Build Your Team
• Start Making Money!

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• How to Start Fitness Clothing Line
• How to Start Your Own Fitness or Athletic Clothing Line

Table of Contents

• Some Facts Regarding the Fashion Industry 
• Step-By-Step Guide to a Fitness Clothing Line Launch
• Conduct Adequate ​​Research of the Industry and Target Market
• ​​Prepare a Business Plan
• Choose the Best Business Structure
• Register Your Business
• Cover The Business Insurance Part
• Find Funding
• Choose Your Fitness Clothing Type
• Understand Your Materials
• Establish a Niche Market
• Find The Right Clothing Manufacturer
• Start Branding

Over the last few years, everyday fashion has seen a big shift. Activewear is now the go-to choice for many, from running errands to attending meetings. Even high-end brands like Gucci have jumped on the activewear trend. 

Getting to know the retail fashion world better can help you stand out in a competitive market by staying ahead of trends and navigating fashion industry challenges. Here are some insights:

• The global gym apparel market is set to grow to about $385 billion by 2032.
• The athleisure sector is expected to reach $3.2 billion in 2032, with a strong focus on sustainable fabric that particularly appeals to younger consumers.
• There's been an increase in “recycled” athletic apparel, with a rise of 642% for men and 388% for women in the past year, highlighting the growing eco-friendly sportswear trend in the U.S.
• Revenue in the fashion industry increased by 21% between 2020 and 2021, and EBITA margins doubled to 12.3 %.

Launching a new business is like sprinting the 100-meter dash in clogs; you’re going to fall down a few times. To help you avoid a few stumbles, we have designed a comprehensive guide to help you through the process of how to start a fitness clothing line.

Starting a business in a field where big names like Nike already have a stronghold can feel like stepping into a major league game.  Knowing the rules and players is key, especially understanding your customers . This knowledge is foundational as you venture into selling workout clothes with your athletic clothing brand.

• Market Size and Growth : Utilize IBISWorld or Statista to gauge the fitness apparel industry's size and growth rate. Explore sales data, customer count, and active businesses in this sector.
• Trends and Dynamics : Follow fashion news and attend trade shows for the latest trends. Investigate the rising interest in sustainable materials and athleisure popularity.
• Competitive Landscape : Examine big brands like Lululemon or Gymshark to understand market share distribution and identify gaps your athletic clothing line could fill.
• Regulatory Environment : Consult legal experts for insights on material safety, labeling, and advertising regulations in the fitness apparel industry.
• Demographics and Psychographics : Conduct surveys or focus groups to learn about your potential customers' demographics and psychographics. Use tools like Google Analytics to analyze your target market's online behavior.
• Consumer Needs and Preferences : Collect feedback on prototypes or existing products to understand your target market's preferences regarding comfort, style, or durability.
• Price Sensitivity : Analyze competitor pricing to determine your target audience's willingness to pay for quality fitness apparel.
• Material and Design : Collaborate with designers and material experts to develop samples, testing for comfort, durability, and appeal. Stay informed on new technologies like smart textiles.
• Vendor Selection : Tour factories, verify certifications, and negotiate terms to optimize costs without compromising on quality.
• Cost Efficiency : Perform a cost analysis to formulate pricing strategies that would ensure profitability as you sell workout clothes.

Creating a solid business plan is a stepping stone toward success and attracting potential investors. It acts as a blueprint for your business goals and the strategies to achieve them. Here’s a breakdown of a business plan’s key components as you consider how to start a gym clothing line:

• Executive Summary : Overview of your business plan, touching on your company profile and goals. It covers your business name, location, mission statement, business concept, founding date, current status, and owner details.
• Market Analysis : Covers the industry landscape, analyzing the market, target customers, competitors, and your business's competitive edges.
• Organization and Management : Details your organizational setup, management team roles, and individual department tasks. Includes bios of team members showcasing how their expertise will bolster business success.
• Product or Service Line : Describe your gym clothing line, highlighting the benefits of your brand, clothing life cycle, and any intellectual property rights.
• Marketing and Sales : Crafts a marketing strategy for reaching and retaining customers alongside a sales strategy on how you plan to sell your apparel. Includes pricing and promotional plans.
• Funding Request : Outlines the funding amount needed, its proposed usage, and funding type (e.g., equity, loan).
• Financial Projections : Offers a five-year financial forecast, including projected income statements, balance sheets, cash flow statements, and capital expenditure budgets.

For further guidance, check out Hal Shelton’s book, "The Secrets to Writing a Successful Business Plan: A Pro Shares a Step-By-Step Guide to Creating a Plan That Gets Results."

When starting a fitness clothing business, the business structure you choose can affect how you pay taxes and how much personal liability you have.

Sole Proprietorship 

A sole proprietorship is the simplest form, where the owner and business are synonymous. The owner is personally responsible for all debts and liabilities. It’s easy to set up, giving the owner full managerial control. The benefits of independent contractors include easy formation and minimal regulatory compliance, while drawbacks are unlimited personal liability and capital-raising challenges. This structure is ideal for small-scale fitness clothing lines with limited capital seeking simplicity and full control.

Partnership 

Partnerships, formed by two or more individuals, share responsibilities, profits, and losses. They combine resources and expertise, which is useful in the competitive fitness clothing market. Advantages include combined resources and shared responsibility, while drawbacks are joint liability and potential conflicts. A good choice for collaborative ventures in the fitness clothing industry.

Corporation 

S corporations offer liability protection and tax benefits suitable for growing businesses. Profits and some losses are passed directly to owners’ personal income, avoiding corporate tax rates. Benefits are liability protection, tax savings, and investor attraction capability, but with stricter operational requirements and a 100-shareholder limit. Suitable for fitness clothing businesses eyeing rapid growth and investor attraction.

Limited Liability Company (LLC) 

LLCs blend personal liability protection like corporations with the operational flexibility of partnerships. They offer liability shields and pass-through taxation with flexible management and fewer compliance requirements. Pros are personal liability protection and operational flexibility, while cons are a more complex setup than sole proprietorships and possible self-employment taxes. An LLC is ideal for those anticipating higher risk or eyeing a medium to large-scale fitness clothing venture.

Before launching your clothing brand, it's important to register your business for legal protection and a solid entrepreneurial foundation. Here's how:

• Choosing a Unique Name : Pick a unique name for your fitness clothing brand to stand out in the market. Check name availability in your state using resources like your state's business registry, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office registry, or domain registrars like GoDaddy.
• Obtain an EIN : Secure an Employer Identification Number ( EIN ) from the IRS for tax purposes and official documentation.
• Apply for Permits and Licenses : Identify and obtain necessary permits and licenses, such as business licenses and sales tax permits, relevant to operating a fitness clothing brand in your area.
• Open a Business Bank Account : Establish a business bank account to separate business and personal finances for accurate record-keeping and tax management.
• Maintain Ongoing Compliance : Keep up with business registration renewals, tax obligations, and other legal requisites to sustain your business's good standing.

Starting and running a fitness clothing business involves various considerations, one of which is ensuring the business is adequately insured to mitigate risks. Here are some common types of business insurance policies to consider:

Consider also consulting with insurance professionals, from insurance brokers to agents, who are knowledgeable about the taxes and legal limitations of owning a retail business. They can guide you on the types of insurance covers you should consider.

Chances are, when you’re starting a new business, you will need some sort of financial assistance. You can apply for a business line of credit, a startup loan, or a small business loan to get your fitness clothing line up and running.

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Here are some differences between these three options: 

• Business Line of Credit : A business line of credit operates similarly to a credit card, where you are given a credit limit, typically ranging between $2,000 and $100,000. The average interest rates for a business line of credit range between 7% and 25%. A typical repayment period ranges from six months to a few years, with interest accruing only on the funds drawn. Business lines of credit offer continuous access to funds and often don’t have limitations on what funds can be used for. 
• Startup Loans : Startup business loans are designed specifically for new businesses seeking initial capital to kickstart their operations. These loans often cater to businesses that may not yet have a solid financial history. The average interest rates for startup loans can vary widely, typically ranging from 6% to 20%. The loan amounts generally fall between $10,000 and $500,000, with repayment terms spanning from one to seven years. 
• Small Business Loan: Small business loans are more traditional financing options where a lump sum of money is lent to be repaid over a set term with interest. The average interest rates can range from about 2.5% to 7% for traditional bank loans or higher for online or alternative lenders. Average loan amounts can range from $30,000 to $250,000, with terms generally ranging from two to 10 years. With large loan amounts and lower interest rates than other business loans, a small business loan may offer the controlled boost necessary to build your business. 

Fitness wear is just as stylized as any other type of clothing, and choosing what type of fitness clothing you’ll offer will help you build your brand image.

Sportswear includes performance-based apparel suitable for a wide array of athletic activities, like running, swimming, cycling, and team sports. Sportswear is designed to provide comfort, safety, and better performance for athletes. For instance, materials that wick away sweat, improve aerodynamics, or offer thermal insulation are common in sportswear. 

Activewear is mainly defined as the clothes one wears to work out and sweat in. This can include sports, exercise, and outdoor activities. It is typically lightweight, sweat-resistant (or dry-fit), and form-fitting. It should allow free movement and comfort above all. 

On the other hand, when considering what is the difference between activewear and sportswear,  keep in mind that sportswear is tailored for specific sports. It usually encompasses team jerseys, protective items, and footwear made for particular sports – which might not be the best fit for your everyday workout or a laid-back yoga session.

This niche lies at the intersection of activewear and recreational wear. It can be worn any time of day or night. Athleisure is typically composed of articles like leggings or joggers, hoodies, and sneakers for an active yet stylish look. The hype around athleisure took a boost when celebrities and influencers took activewear from the gym to the streets and everywhere else in between. 

Streetwear is a style of casual clothing that became mainstream in the 1990s. Unlike sportswear or activewear, streetwear is more about making a personal or social statement. It's less about functionality and more about style and the expression of individual identity but often incorporates athleticwear and activewear. Major components of streetwear include t-shirts, hoodies, and gym shorts.

If you are a newcomer to the world of clothing and athletic wear, here are some small tips to help you understand what you will be working with:

• Fabrics : Fabrics can be picked based on the target audience. Fabric choices should align with the physical activities of your target audience. Certain activities may require more breathable, stretchable, or moisture-wicking materials.
• Fit : Determine the purpose of your clothing line. For high-intensity workouts, consider designs that offer compression benefits. Compression can help reduce muscle fatigue, prevent strains, and enhance movement. If you're targeting a casual or athleisure audience, looser fits might be more appropriate.
• Fabric Weight : Be mindful of the seasons and the intended region of sale. Summer collections should favor lightweight materials, while winter collections might call for heavier fabrics. For activities like running, you might prioritize lightweight fabrics to facilitate unrestricted movement.
• Reflective Details : These are more than just aesthetic additions. With a growing demand for reflective designs, especially among night-time athletes, these details enhance visibility and safety.
• Ventilation : Proper ventilation allows for temperature regulation and improved blood circulation. If you're designing for intense physical activities, incorporate cut-outs, mesh paneling, or other breathable elements in strategic locations.


Navigating success as a small fitness clothing business in a bustling market requires a mix of creativity, market savvy, and a solid grasp of your target audience.

Here's how you can carve a niche for your brand, especially if you're selling gyming clothes online:

• Discover Your Unique Selling Proposition (USP): Pinpoint a USP that aligns with your brand and appeals to your audience. If you're rooted sustainably, eco-friendly fitness apparel could be your niche, using materials like organic cotton or recycled polyester.
• Create and Refine Prototypes : Develop prototypes embodying your USP. If catering to plus-sized individuals, create stylish designs offering the right support. Obtain feedback from potential customers to refine your offerings.
• Engage with Targeted Communities : Connect with communities that share your niche values. If promoting body positivity, interact with relevant online and offline communities, sharing your brand story and how your fitness clothing line champions this cause.
• Collaborate with Influencers : Partner with influencers whose followers resonate with your niche. For a line suited to high-performance athletes, collaborations with athletes or fitness trainers on social media can yield authentic exposure.
• Narrate Your Brand Story : Craft a narrative around your niche , sharing the journey and impact your brand aims to create, helping to foster a deeper audience connection.
• Collect and Act on Customer Feedback : Post-launch, actively gather customer feedback to understand their experiences, learn what resonated, and adjust your product range accordingly.
• Measure, Learn, and Iterate : Set key performance indicators to gauge your niche strategy's success. Analyze sales data, website traffic, and social media engagement to discern what's hitting the mark with your audience and identify areas for enhancement.

Exploring the variety of activewear manufacturers is a pivotal step on the road to successfully selling workout clothes. The right manufacturer can be a cornerstone for quality and satisfaction. Here are some tips to guide you in identifying a suitable manufacturer:

• Research Experience : Seek manufacturers with proven expertise in fitness clothing, as they can provide valuable advice on fabric and design choices.
• Check Machinery : Ensure the manufacturers have diverse machinery to handle unique material designs for sportswear.
• Verify Prior Partners : Ask about their past collaborations with brands. A track record of success can hint at reliability and quality output.
• Consider Sustainability : Look for any environmental or social impact statements to find a manufacturer whose values align with your business ethos.
• Collect Samples : Acquire samples before finalizing any contract. Conduct thorough quality checks, examine seams and stitches, and perform wash tests for color fastness. Request the manufacturers to conduct stretch and recovery tests for a comprehensive assessment.

A strong brand can propel your fitness apparel business forward. With a memorable name and a clear identity, you pave the way for growth and a positive reputation. Here's a roadmap to help you create your gym clothing brand:

• Pick a Brand Name : Select a name that mirrors the essence and values of your fitness apparel brand. Online tools like Namelix, Shopify’s Business Name Generator, or Brandroot can be your allies in brainstorming.
• Create a Logo: Once the name is in place, draft a logo. It's natural for the logo to evolve as your brand matures. If design isn't your strong suit, professional designers or platforms like Adobe Illustrator, Canva, or Looka are options to explore.
• Build Your Website : With a name and logo at hand, it's time to create a welcoming website to showcase your products, reviews, and mission. User-friendly platforms like Wix, Squarespace, and Canva can be good starting points.
• Advertise : Boost your brand's visibility through advertising on major social platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Tailor your advertising approach to resonate with the specific audiences on each platform, be it through influencer partnerships on Instagram or engaging visuals on Facebook.

Starting a fitness clothing business requires careful planning and consideration in areas like business structure, registration, taxes, insurance, and understanding the industry. Budget wisely, comply with legal requirements, and stay updated with the fashion industry trends to promote the success and growth of your business.

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How to Start a Fitness Apparel Business

A fitness apparel business is a retail establishment that sells shoes, apparel, and equipment designed for athletic consumers. Products are sold on a local level and to online shoppers. These businesses support local athletes through community events and offer advice regarding the ideal products for their customer’s individual needs.

Learn how to start your own Fitness Apparel Business and whether it is the right fit for you.

Ready to form your LLC? Check out the Top LLC Formation Services .

Start a fitness apparel business by following these 10 steps:

• Plan your Fitness Apparel Business
• Form your Fitness Apparel Business into a Legal Entity
• Register your Fitness Apparel Business for Taxes
• Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
• Set up Accounting for your Fitness Apparel Business
• Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Fitness Apparel Business
• Get Fitness Apparel Business Insurance
• Define your Fitness Apparel Business Brand
• Create your Fitness Apparel Business Website
• Set up your Business Phone System

We have put together this simple guide to starting your fitness apparel business. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.

Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas .

STEP 1: Plan your business

A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:

What will you name your business?

• What are the startup and ongoing costs?
• Who is your target market?

How much can you charge customers?

Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.

Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Fitness Apparel Business Name Generator

If you operate a sole proprietorship , you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.

When registering a business name , we recommend researching your business name by checking:

• Your state's business records
• Federal and state trademark records
• Social media platforms
• Web domain availability .

It's very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.

Want some help naming your fitness apparel business?

Business name generator, what are the costs involved in opening a fitness apparel business.

Successful fitness apparel shop owners report a starting capital of $150,000 to $350,000, depending upon the size, amount of inventory, and geographical location. Manage start-up costs by investing in a modest location of 2000 square feet or less. As you get to know your customers, you will gain a deeper understanding of their needs and expand accordingly.

Once a location has been chosen, you will need to fill the space. Fixtures, business management software, and specialized equipment such as a foot and gait analysis system should all be included in your initial budget. Inventory should include apparel, footwear, accessories, and exercise equipment. A marketing strategy will help boost your business and simple, yet intuitive website will keep the community informed and allow you to reach customers on a national level.

What are the ongoing expenses for a fitness apparel business?

Industry leaders report monthly expenses ranging from between $4,500 and $21,000. The size of your store will define utilities and insurance costs and influence the amount of merchandise you will need to keep in stock.

Who is the target market?

When developing your marketing strategy, target athletes of all skill levels and financial means. This includes everyone from the high school tennis player to the ultra-marathoner. Runners are known for investing a great deal of time and money in their sport, so shop owners are encouraged to specifically target the running community in their advertising efforts.

How does a fitness apparel business make money?

A fitness apparel store generates revenue from the sale of each item. While a large portion of your sales will come from local consumers, an online store will extend your reach to athletes outside of the community.

Pricing varies from product to product. In addition to inventory cost, overhead expenses should be taken into account when setting an item price. If you are inexperienced in this aspect of the business, consult with your vendors for advice.

How much profit can a fitness apparel business make?

While many retail stores realize a profit in the first year, it typically takes three years to build a well-established business. Store owners who are committed to the community and maintain a pulse on the latest trends repot a profit of over $76,000 after the third year.

How can you make your business more profitable?

To boost profits, your inventory should include items with a higher profit margin, such as compression garments and insoles. Hosting educational workshops, fitness classes, and guest speakers will help bring both current and prospective customers, boosting sales in the process. Lastly, sponsor local sporting events as part of your community involvement. It is satisfying to see your business’ name on t-shirts and event advertisements and is a great way to boost visibility.

Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC's free Small Business Startup Guide - a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!

STEP 2: Form a legal entity

The most common business structure types are the sole proprietorship , partnership , limited liability company (LLC) , and corporation .

Establishing a legal business entity such as an LLC or corporation protects you from being held personally liable if your fitness apparel business is sued.

Form Your LLC

Read our Guide to Form Your Own LLC

Have a Professional Service Form your LLC for You

Two such reliable services:

You can form an LLC yourself and pay only the minimal state LLC costs or hire one of the Best LLC Services for a small, additional fee.

Recommended: You will need to elect a registered agent for your LLC. LLC formation packages usually include a free year of registered agent services . You can choose to hire a registered agent or act as your own.

STEP 3: Register for taxes

You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.

In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It's really easy and free!

You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website . If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?

There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.

STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card

Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil .

Open a business bank account

Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:

• Separates your personal assets from your company's assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
• Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.

Get a business credit card

Getting a business credit card helps you:

• Separate personal and business expenses by putting your business' expenses all in one place.
• Build your company's credit history , which can be useful to raise money later on.

Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.

STEP 5: Set up business accounting

Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.

Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.

STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses

Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.

STEP 7: Get business insurance

Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.

There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance . This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.

Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance . If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers' Compensation Coverage.

STEP 8: Define your brand

Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.

If you aren't feeling confident about designing your small business logo, then check out our Design Guides for Beginners , we'll give you helpful tips and advice for creating the best unique logo for your business.

Recommended : Get a logo using Truic's free logo Generator no email or sign up required, or use a Premium Logo Maker .

If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator . Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.

How to promote & market a fitness apparel business

When developing your business plan, research what sports are most popular in your community. Get to know them on a personal and professional level, noting what needs are not currently being met. This will assist you in ordering inventory and allow for a more targeted marketing strategy. While printed and online advertising will prove beneficial, the best gift you can give is your time and attention. Organize group runs, host special events at your store, and sponsor local sporting events. Your commitment to their cause will boost your reputation and spark a deep commitment from the athletes you cater to.

How to keep customers coming back

Word of mouth can either make or break a business. Your involvement, strong customer service, and knowledge will go a long way towards building community support. These things, along with an inspiring disposition, will position you as a fitness leader, ensuring your store is the first name that comes to mind when people look for that new pair of workout gloves or shoes.

STEP 9: Create your business website

After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business .

While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.

Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:

• All legitimate businesses have websites - full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
• Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
• Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.

Recommended : Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders .

Other popular website builders are: WordPress , WIX , Weebly , Squarespace , and Shopify .

STEP 10: Set up your business phone system

Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.

There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2023 to find the best phone service for your small business.

Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com

Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it's fair pricing.

Is this Business Right For You?

This type of business is best suited for the entrepreneur who is passionate about living an active and healthy lifestyle. They enjoy interacting with athletes in the community, sharing their knowledge of current trends in activewear and the newest in fitness-related medical findings.

Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?

Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!

Entrepreneurship Quiz

What happens during a typical day at a fitness apparel business?

You and your staff will spend much of the day interacting with customers. You will consult with them regarding their unique needs, offering guidance on everything from the best shoe for their gait to nutrition and training schedules. The most successful fitness apparel stores draw athletes throughout the community, offering a place to gather and meet other like-minded individuals. Therefore, downtime should be spent creating an environment that encourages athletes of all kinds to participate and interact. Additionally, inventory is tracked daily and orders are placed on an as-needed basis. The store must be clean and well-maintained, with displays changed out regularly. Your customers are looking to you for guidance, so researching industry developments and trends should also be an integral part of your team’s day.

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful fitness apparel business?

Interaction with customers, vendors, and your staff will be an integral part of each day. Therefore, strong interpersonal and communication skills, coupled with business acumen, will help set you up for success. Your commitment to customer service and fitness will help you integrate into this tight-knit community, building a loyal customer base along the way. Those considering entering this business venture are encouraged to work in a similar setting. This real world experience will help you gain a deeper understanding of the intricacies involved in owning retail store and offer networking opportunities along the way.

What is the growth potential for a fitness apparel business?

Most athletes are drawn to the individualized attention they receive when visiting a small, locally owned store. For this reason, many store owners concentrate on keeping their shop small, opening additional stores based on community needs. With the right vision and branding, entrepreneurs looking to expand further can open stores across the country and even offer franchising opportunities to other aspiring fitness apparel store owners.

TRUiC's YouTube Channel

For fun informative videos about starting a business visit the TRUiC YouTube Channel or subscribe to view later.

Take the Next Step

Find a business mentor.

One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.

Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.

Learn from other business owners

Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.

Resources to Help Women in Business

There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:

If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.

What are some insider tips for jump starting a fitness apparel business?

While sports enthusiasts love to spend money on their activities, they come from all financial brackets. Therefore, your store should carry quality products, with price points that fit every budget. A flexible return policy will offer that last push some customers need to purchase an item they’re considering. When choosing your vendors, inquire about their return policy. Many have made it a policy to accept returned shoes at no cost to the store owner.

How and when to build a team

Depending upon the size of your new business, it may be possible to operate the store yourself during those first few months. As business increases, you will need to start building your team. Many fitness apparel store owners have found success hiring high school athletes. This keeps payroll costs under control and offers another level of support within the sporting community. Every employee should possess extensive knowledge of at least one activity and be able to communicate with all demographics. Strengthen your team by hiring new employees that can help build on your current skills and knowledge.

Useful Links

Real world examples.

• Rogue Fitness

Have a Question? Leave a Comment!

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• Registered Agents

How to Start a Fitness Clothing Line in 14 Steps (In-Depth Guide)

Updated:   January 22, 2024

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The activewear industry is red-hot, expected to grow to over $567 billion globally by 2025. With athleisure becoming a mainstay in closets around the world, more people than ever are seeking fitness apparel that is both functional and stylish.

From boutique yoga pant companies to sport-specific apparel aimed at runners and weightlifters, the possibilities in the activewear space are endless. With some strategic planning around design, manufacturing, and marketing, anyone can turn their passion for fitness into a thriving business.

This guide will walk you through how to start a fitness clothing line. Topics include market research, competitive analysis, obtaining business insurance, applying for an EIN, forming a legal business entity, and more.

1. Conduct Fitness Clothing Line Market Research

Market research is essential to starting a fitness clothing business . It offers insight into trends in fitness wear, the target market for your gym apparel line, local competitors, and more.

Some details you’ll learn through market research for your own fitness clothing line include:

• North America currently leads activewear sales, holding almost half the global market share at $135 billion.
• The primary target demographics within the activewear space include Millennials and Gen Z.
• Gen Z is driving a shift toward athleisure, sustainable fabrics, and innovative retail in fitness clothing.
• Capturing these young, active demographics early on can establish brand loyalty across generations.
• Women’s activewear currently dominates the market, holding almost 75% share compared to roughly 25% for men’s apparel.
• Sports bras, yoga pants, and tank tops reign supreme among female consumers. Consider also that socks are an integral part of every athlete’s clothing collection and they are in constant demand.
• While the fitness clothing space faces competition from athletic giants like Nike and Lululemon , small and midsize brands can differentiate by specializing.
• Targeting specific sports and activities such as golf, tennis, dancing, yoga, running, or boxing allows startups to cater their product offering directly to that consumer lifestyle.
• Sustainability continues gaining importance, with 66% of customers willing to pay more for sustainable activewear.
• New brands have an opportunity to embed eco-friendly practices into their foundation.

The soaring success of athleisure wear and increasing health awareness provide an optimal landscape to launch a disruptive fitness apparel brand. Capitalizing on unmet consumer needs across generations, genders, and geographies offers ample pathways to carve out a niche in this $500 billion industry.

2. Analyze the Competition

Understanding the competitive landscape is crucial for new fitness apparel brands aiming to cut into the activewear market. With industry mammoths like Nike and growing athleisure companies like Outdoor Voices , assessing the playing field helps position your differentiated value.

Some ways to learn about competitors to your successful fitness clothing line include:

• When evaluating brick-and-mortar competition, locate fitness clothing stores in your geographic area to analyze in person.
• Study their branding, price points, product selection, and in-store experiences.
• Track foot traffic and talk to customers about preferences.
• Monitor how specialty boutiques compare to athleisure sections in department stores like Nordstrom or DICK’s Sporting Goods .
• Evaluating eCommerce competitors is also vital even for physical storefronts.
• Sign up for competitor email lists to learn promotional strategies.
• Study social media and user-generated content on sites like Instagram to reveal buyer behavior patterns.

Regular competitor analysis illuminates what drives customer choices today. Tracking shifts over time then helps forecast where white space opportunities may emerge for new specialty fitness clothing brands to activate demand. Pitching perfectly to evolving consumer needs builds loyalty and ensures long-term viability.

3. Costs to Start a Fitness Clothing Line Business

When starting a fitness apparel brand, entrepreneurs must budget for a variety of initial expenses to get their business off the ground. From product development to warehouse space, building the foundations for an activewear company requires a sizable upfront investment.

Start-up Costs

• One of the first start-up costs is designing the actual clothing concepts and creating product samples, which can range from $5,000-$15,000 including pattern making and manufacturing.
• Trademarking a business name and establishing corporate identity elements like a logo often requires around $1,000 when working with professional graphic design freelancers.
• If selling products online first, building a functional e-commerce website with integrated payment processing capability averages $3,000-$7,000.
• Purchasing barcode scanners, label makers, shipping station elements, and basic equipment for packaging orders usually totals another $2,000 in the beginning.
• Warehouse space also needs securing early on to store inventory even when operating predominantly online, costing roughly $2,500 per month for around 500-1,500 square feet.
• Further down the line when expanding into physical retail stores, showroom spaces in shopping centers average $20-$40 per square foot monthly for longer lease terms around 5+ years.
• Architectural planning, layout design services, and building out complete store interiors then land around $100,000 per location. Staffing sales associate roles in stores results in added personnel costs as well.

Ongoing Costs

• Producing wider style assortments demands more fabric, trim materials, labels, packaging, and samples which can tally $50,000 annually depending on volumes and textile costs.
• Digital advertising across social platforms like Instagram and influencer collaborations averages another $40,000 per year, sometimes more to launch impactful campaigns.
• Monthly subscriptions to design software, inventory tracking systems, order management tools, accounting software, and other web services benefiting workflow collectively amount to around $5,000 per year.

Launching a specialty activewear line necessitates around $100,000 in start-up funding along with roughly $100,000 in ongoing annual investments.

4. Form a Legal Business Entity

When starting a fitness clothing brand, properly structuring the legal business entity protects founders while enabling growth. The four main options—sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, or limited liability company (LLC)—each impact taxation, personal liability, raising capital, and everyday administrative management differently.

Sole Proprietorship

A sole proprietorship constitutes the simplest framework with no distinction between individual and business from a legal perspective. This means owners experience unlimited personal liability for company debts or lawsuits. While easy to form at the outset, it severely lacks protection.

Partnership

Partnerships are a good option for family businesses. They allow multiple owners to pool resources and share responsibility, but still expose assets like houses or cars in the event claims arise against the business.

Corporation

Corporations limit liability but face double taxation on profits and have extensive record-keeping rules. Corporations are best left to large companies with the money and manpower to carry the cost and extensive registration process.

Limited Liability Company (LLC)

Establishing the company as an LLC from launch combines pass-through taxation benefits with personal asset protection for founders. LLC owners pay no income tax on earnings—profits/losses flow through to members’ returns. This avoids double taxes. The LLC structure also shields member possessions like houses if business creditors file claims, preventing full financial exposure.

5. Register Your Business For Taxes

Even as a new LLC, fitness apparel companies need both a federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) and a state sales tax permit to operate legally. The EIN serves as a unique tax ID tied specifically to the business instead of using a founder’s social security number. Sales tax permits enable charging shoppers local sales tax rates on transactions.

Applying for an EIN is free directly through the Internal Revenue Service and takes 5-10 minutes via this link. The online questionnaire asks basic information about the LLC such as name, address, and ownership structure. Providing an SSN isn’t required.

Acquiring a sales tax permit occurs through state government portals, with rates varying by location. For example in California, the BOE-400-SPA form is required along with a $35 fee when expected annual revenue exceeds $100,000.

Keeping the EIN and sales tax ID current with state and federal agencies as the fitness clothing LLC grows ensures everything remains accounted for properly on tax returns. Both numbers can sync directly into e-commerce platforms and accounting software as well for tracking transactions.

6. Setup Your Accounting

Maintaining organized financial records remains imperative for new fitness clothing lines to control costs, properly file taxes, and ultimately scale. Implementing the right accounting software, working with an experienced accountant, and separating personal and business finances from the start helps streamline operations.

Accounting Software

Utilizing small business accounting platforms like QuickBooks provides an accessible way for fitness apparel companies to automate tasks like tracking income and expenses, generating invoices, running payroll, and reconciling bank/credit card statements. Packages start around $30/month for core functionalities like unlimited invoicing and expense tracking.

Hire an Accountant

Pairing DIY software with professional accounting guidance maximizes control. Hiring an accountant on retainer for consultation averages $150-$200 monthly, with additional year-end filings costing around $700. They handle business license renewals, sales tax calculations, annual financial reports, and tax preparation.

Open a Business Bank Account

Separating business and personal finances also remains key from a reporting perspective. Opening dedicated small business checking/savings accounts and credit cards simplifies categorizing transactions later. It also builds legitimacy with future potential investors to showcase reliable financials.

Apply for a Business Credit Card

Applying for a small business credit card requires the company EIN and estimated annual revenue but offers higher initial limits than personal cards, usually around $10,000 to start. Issuers like Capital One and Chase Ink Business Cards deliver optimal rewards on common purchases like manufacturing supplies and digital advertising.

7. Obtain Licenses and Permits

Beyond formally registering as a legal business entity, fitness apparel startups must acquire certain operational licenses and permit to stay compliant. Find federal license information through the U.S. Small Business Administration . The SBA also offers a local search tool for state and city requirements.

At the core, specialty clothing manufacturers must obtain a domestic business license like an LLC or incorporation. This forms the company’s legal foundation for signing contracts, securing credit, and separating personal liability. However additional documentation further enables day-to-day functionality.

For example, a vendor’s permit from the state allows bulk purchasing of fabrics, labels, and materials tax-free to then produce finished garments for sale in-state. These cost between $50-$300 depending on location. Applying requires submitting a state resale certificate with the LLC’s EIN which typically processes within a few weeks.

If producing apparel out-of-state, businesses should also acquire an applicable resale certificate from that region to ship orders tax-free directly to consumers. This prevents unnecessary double taxation but requires meeting annual thresholds like total revenue or volume of items being sold into that area. Exemption requirements vary by state.

Labels and hangtag requirements likewise must comply with Federal Trade Commission rules regarding fiber content, country of origin, fire/flammability warranties, and care instructions. Third-party testing labs can review and certify product compositions where needed.

For businesses planning retail space alongside e-commerce, local municipalities often stipulate additional licenses needed. Zoning permits dictate acceptable commercial activity by geographic area while occupancy certificates confirm buildings meet fire, construction, and Americans with Disabilities Act standards for hosting the public.

8. Get Business Insurance

Acquiring adequate business insurance coverage shields fitness clothing startups from potential financial ruin if unexpected catastrophes strike. Policies cover costs related to property damage, inventory loss, liability claims, and more that could otherwise bankrupt brands.

For example, a fire could destroy a warehouse full of new apparel stock. Flooding might cause thousands in irreplaceable damages to retail stores. Shoppers could file injury lawsuits after alleged accidents onsite.

Without protections, the LLC’s members must pay all repairs, replacements, and legal expenses personally. This could amount to hundreds of thousands owed by individual founders. However, tailored insurance policies shift this risk.

Common starter policies like Business Owner’s Policies (BOPs) bundle property coverage, liability, loss of income, and commercial auto under one convenient package. Rates vary based on location, industry risk, revenue size, and other factors but average $50 monthly for around $500,000 in potential payouts.

The application process begins by contacting independent insurance agents or providers like The Hartford and supplying details about operations, sales, payroll expenses, and claims history. In-person risk assessments also inform quotes. Payments are processed monthly or annually once bound.

9. Create an Office Space

As fitness clothing lines scale production and hire staff, dedicated office space often becomes necessary for daily operations centralized outside the home. While remote work remains popular post-pandemic, having a physical headquarters proves useful over time.

Coworking Office

Coworking spaces like WeWork offer convenient short-term leases for small firms to operate. Tiered monthly memberships start around $300 and provide varying amounts of access to shared workstations, private offices, conference rooms, office equipment, parking, WiFi, kitchens, and amenity spaces for events or meetings. No long-term lease requirement allows for flexible scaling.

Retail Office

For fitness brands opening retail stores, using back office space attaches the headquarters intrinsically to customer-facing operations for seamless coordination. However real estate, construction buildouts, and dedicated inventory warehouse needs drive location costs higher between $3,000-$5,000 monthly. Maximum space capacity also remains finite regardless of future hiring.

Commercial Office

Signing a 5-year lease within a commercial office building provides the most customization for constructing functional headquarters. Typical base rents average $20-$25 per square foot in suburban areas beyond major cities, translating to around $2,000 monthly for 100 sq ft spaces.

10. Source Your Equipment

Launching a specialty activewear brand requires key textile equipment for sampling fabrications, creating patterns, and sewing first batches of apparel in-house before contracting mass production. Sourcing these foundational tools both affordably and locally enables new designers to perfect early collections.

Purchasing equipment new allows for custom orders tailored to output needs. Industrial sewing machines start around $2,000 from brands like Juki while multi-head embroidery machines average $7,000-$10,000. Small cutters and fabric spreaders cost $1,500. Investing $15,000 upfront supplies production essentials.

Seeking out discounted second-hand equipment from prior apparel companies proves more budget-friendly. Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist routinely list locally used inventory; broader auction platforms like eBay and Shop goodwill source globally. Smaller startup brands often upgrade machinery quickly, selling functional tools 50-75% below retail.

Renting production equipment allows for maximizing capital for other branding and product expenses at launch rather than machinery ownership. Online marketplaces like FloTools and UK-based Fat Llama enable short-term rentals from $30/day up to longer 6-12 month leases costing $200/month per unit.

Leasing acquires necessary textile equipment without major upfront purchases, spreading payments over 3-5 years instead. This preserves working capital for order materials and marketing initiatives upfront. However total spending increases 20-30% overall versus buying outright.

11. Establish Your Brand Assets

Strategically developing a cohesive brand identity helps emerging fitness apparel companies craft market awareness and recognition within the lucrative activewear segment. Beyond designing compelling performance clothing, branding provides visual packaging tying collections to lifestyle messaging.

Get a Business Phone Number

Acquiring a unique business phone line via platforms like RingCentral grants startups a professional presence when contacting suppliers, and retailers, or promoting customer service support. Dedicated numbers with custom greetings project credibility, especially when still operating from a home office early on.

Design a Logo

Commissioning a logo and coordinated visual assets is equally as vital for affiliation. A tailored emblem iconically represents new brands when applied to hangtags, packaging, storefront signage, and digital profiles. Affordable DIY sites like Looka offer kits with fonts, colors, and graphical mark templates paired with patterned backgrounds.

Print Business Cards

Bringing logos full circle, ordering business cards through convenient online print shops like Vistaprint makes informing industry contacts simple. Professionally presenting founders’ names, titles, phone numbers, emails, and social handles when meeting one-on-one or at trade shows accelerates opportunities.

Obtain a Domain Name

Securing matching domain names allows for centralizing products and brand narratives online. Services like Namecheap enable quickly checking domain availability during business registration to claim ideal .com extensions, secured typically for less than $15 yearly.

Design a Website

Building out full e-commerce sites further spotlights fitness apparel collections and missions. Leveraging user-friendly website builders like Wix grants entrepreneurs DIY control. The less web-savvy can hire freelance developers affordably from marketplaces like Fiverr starting at around $500.

12. Join Associations and Groups

Tapping into local networks and national industry groups allows fledgling fitness clothing companies to learn best practices directly from established peers. Joining relevant meetups, trade organizations and online communities builds camaraderie while unlocking actionable advice.

Local Associations

Major fashion hubs like Los Angeles and New York and specialized associations like the California Fashion Association cater to applicant apparel brands through mixers, workshops, and directory listings. Annual dues of around $500 access seasonal networking events and industry intel.

Local Meetups

Attending generalized small business meetups facilitated via platforms like Meetup also allows founders to exchange local intel across sectors. Casual coffees and open discussions generate referrals to trusted photographers, branding agencies, prospective media contacts, and more.

Facebook Groups

Participating in dedicated Facebook Groups bridges founders digitally with existing fitness apparel labels nationally. For example, Fitness Clothes and Equipment- Buy, Sell, Swap and Small USA Business Owners’ Network offer support to newcomers. Threads commonly detail manufacturing hurdles, core customer psychographics, trade show advice, and halo collaborations with influencers.

13. How to Market a Fitness Clothing Line Business

Implementing multifaceted marketing and customer retention strategies enables emerging fitness clothing brands to systematically promote products, build awareness, and drive recurring sales. While digital platforms provide efficient reach, word-of-mouth referrals from satisfied shoppers ultimately cement organic growth.

Personal Networking

As most startups that sell workout clothes rely heavily on core networks early on, customers who share collections with friends prove invaluable. Gifting 10-20% off coupons or free leggings to patrons who tag new customers on your athletic clothing line social media feed both rewards loyalty while expanding exposure virally.

Digital Marketing

• Google/Facebook Ads: PPC campaigns target local demographics most likely to convert based on interest and search data. Expect around $1-2 CPA optimizing to scale budgets upwards of $10K+ monthly
• Instagram Sponsorships: Micro-influencer collaborations with niche fitness coaches, trainers, and athletes boost reputation. Typical packages around $500-1,000 per post
• Email Marketing: Segmented newsletters, abandoned cart reminders, and birthday discounts reengage subscribers directly for repeat sales about 25-50% of the time
• YouTube Hauls: Sponsor product unboxings by channels focused on athleisure reviews. Ad inventory prices average $0.010 – $0.030 per view depending on viewership size

Traditional Marketing

• Direct Mail: Targeted postcard drops to local athleisure boutiques, gyms, and studios establish connections within geographic communities to eventually wholesale product
• Flyers: Distributing marketing materials at regional conferences, trade shows and pop-up events raises interest during times when fashion buyers are actively looking
• Radio: Booking 30-60 sec FM radio ad spots around workout programs ultimately targets drive-time commuters. However, response attribution proves difficult long-term

Blending both targeted digital strategies paves a scalable growth path for an emerging fitness apparel line.

14. Focus on the Customer

Delivering exceptional customer service fundamentally fuels growth for specialty fitness clothing brands through building consumer loyalty and word-of-mouth referrals. How a company’s team engages before, during, and after transactions directly informs the shopping experience.

For example, fitness enthusiasts first evaluating new legging brands heavily factor in social media responsiveness and website FAQ depth when comparing options online. Promptly replying to questions about compression levels or sizing guidance earns trust in quality and customer care from the outset.

Fulfilling orders accurately and quickly then meeting baseline expectations once purchased. However, brands going beyond by including handwritten thank you notes or small gifts with shipments make buyers feel genuinely appreciated by a fitness apparel business.

Post-purchase care similarly prevents issues from escalating negatively. Self-service tools like size exchange portals solve problems independently while fast responses to one-off concerns maintain positive perceptions. Checking in a few weeks later about wearing experiences shows the relationship extends past the sale of workout clothes.

Fitness shoppers greatly value brand integrity, product performance, and self-expression through activewear. But feeling individually valued through thoughtful customer service touches ignites the lasting affinity and sense of community that inspires recommending emerging brands to fellow athletes.

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There are several Activewear manufacturers with various levels of expertise in the market. If you are to  start a fitness brand , you seriously need to pick up the proper sportswear manufacturer , as working with them will be long-term benefits for them. To help you spot an expert clothing manufacturer, here are some tips that can help you recognize a good manufacturer when starting a Fitness Apparel Line

• The manufacturer you are working with, must be professional Since you are a startup in the industry, you can’t afford any risk. Connecting with an  expert USA apparel manufacturer  with years of experience in fitness clothing is essential. They can provide you with valuable quality with a brand and specification of your requirements and support to help you grow in the market.
• Modern approach to clothes manufacturing Certain types of advanced machinery and Equipment for sportswear manufacturing create unique materials designs. Different clothes stick to each other in fitness and Activewear through different processes, which is only done by various ranges of advanced machinery. Like here at Zega Apparel, we use advanced cutting machines to cut your clothes according to your needs perfectly.
• Mock ups > tech packs > Sampling > bulk production the heading shows the best practices of expert clothes manufacturers. After taking your order, they create mock-ups and tech-packs (a file containing all your cloth’s fabric, style, and measurement color details). After getting your approval, they made a sample and delivered it to you so that you can look at the quality you are getting. You can make any changes if you want. They will apply those changes and then, after the approval of your sample, then go ahead with bulk production minimizing the risk.

So, by following the given procedure, you can start an athletic clothing line. We hope this article will help you with all of your queries and give you a proper idea.

We know starting a clothing business is not an easy task, but you are good to go with the guideline. Zega Apparel is passionate about helping the  startup clothing business  and holds years of expertise. Drop us a line to get a free consultation and a guide on starting your successful fitness clothing line.

Tom Brady is the weekly publisher of fashion blogs and articles. He is devoted to providing his readers with a fast-paced story, whether a blog or an article. What began as an undergraduate hobby of writing about the fashion industry has now become a top blog and full-time role for him. His interest is simple, anything that attracts readers about the fashion industry.

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BUSINESS INSIGHTS

How to start a fitness clothing line for your gym or studio

• Karla Walsh
• Dec 22, 2021

When you think of building brand recognition for your gym or fitness business , you probably picture ads and online reviews. But one of the best ways to spread the word about your brand might be something slightly more subtle—and stylish.

“Fitness studios have one major reason to sell merchandise,” says Sabrina Zohar, an athleisure entrepreneur, who has partnered with more than 100 fitness studios to bring their custom fitness clothing lines to life. “It features their logo, which helps grow their brand.”

A smartly-designed collection can also be a huge revenue-booster. The boutique indoor cycling studio SoulCycle, for example, launched apparel at the same time they opened in 2006. From a single T-shirt to an entire online shop dedicated to leggings, sports bras, sweatpants and fitness accessories, their fitness clothing business is booming. By the time SoulCycle filed as a publicly-traded business in 2015 , $18 million of the company’s $112 million of revenue was linked to branded purchases other than studio fees. In 2016, SoulCycle’s retail sales growth topped their ridership growth, according to Racked . (By the way, you can use Wix Fit to both book classes and sell merchandise.)

So, it’s wise to create an online store . The global market share for comfortable-cool clothing lines boomed during the pandemic, and it’s showing no signs of slowing. Between 2021 and 2026, athleisure sales are predicted to grow about 5 percent, according to one forecast .

Jumping into the process without fully understanding how to start a fitness clothing line and having a good grasp of your business entity can be a dangerous prospect, though. “Cheap merch can do more harm than good for your brand’s reputation and bottom line,” Zohar warns, “because clients trust their studio for choosing the best brands.” Your members think of items in this collection as worthy of your stamp of approval, so low-quality gear can compromise your clients’ trust.

For more on selling merchandise, check out Wix Learn .

How much does it cost to start a fitness clothing line?

The initial investment in starting a fitness clothing line can vary widely based on your fabric choice, where the merchandise is made, how many units you create, how much it costs to ship to your studio(s) and development costs for the styles and designs. It also depends on the levels of startup capital you have in order to start your business. You can do it for as little as $10,000 or as much as $120,000, Zohar says. Typically, you need to place an order of at least 300 items, she adds.

Mark-up can also vary by brand. “Some companies operate on smaller margins due to the quality and local craftsmanship in the hopes it will grow as the brand scales,” Zohar says. “Others manufacture overseas and make an 80 percent margin.”

How to start a fitness clothing line: the essential steps

Monitoring sales

Once you land on your budget for the total project (or how much you can afford to invest in your fitness clothing line), it all starts with the design. First things first: Create your own logo if you don’t already have one. You may also want to work with designers to craft tangential designs like brand taglines and catchphrases.

Once you have your logo, you can hone in on your fitness clothing line’s vibe. Activewear styles generally land in one of three categories:

High impact: Performance gear with maximum support, flexibility and comfort. Think: compression sports bras or bike jerseys.

Medium impact: The vast majority of commercial activewear lines land here, offering an average level of support and performance capabilities for workouts like lifting weights and dancing.

Low impact: While you can be active in this type of apparel, it offers little support and performance-minded qualities. These athleisure styles are ideal for non-jumping workouts like yoga or hiking—or for a post-workout brunch.

02. Production

Then, it’s time to choose your partner brands. There are thousands of activewear manufacturers on the market and some have much more experience than others. They also have a wide range of value systems. If your brand hosts yoga classes in nature, you may want to seek out a partner who lists sustainability in their mission. If diversity and inclusion is a core tenet of your business, look for a manufacturer with BIPOC and LGBTQ owners. Facebook groups, trade shows and online databases like the SaleHoo Wholesale Directory can help you find leads.

Then, ask about these details to find your perfect manufacturer match:

How much experience they have in activewear

The machinery and processes they use to bring their clothing to life

Lead times, ability to source materials you plan to use, current suppliers and brand partners (assuming this isn’t confidential)

Minimum order quantities

Sustainability practices

After finding the top three to five potential manufacturers that align with your needs and values, ask for samples so you can perform a quality assurance check. Study the seams and the material itself, then wear and wash the garments to see how they hold up.

The basic considerations to consider as you select your favorite:

Fabric: Do you want moisture-wicking or odor-resistant?

Fit and support: From super-fitted to loose and flowy, these details should reflect the item’s use and your brand’s aesthetic.

Paneling and ventilation: Determine if certain parts of the body could use more airflow or support.

Fabric weight: Consider the season and the activity intensity to determine if you want thicker or thinner fabric.

Reflective details: This is especially important for any activities performed outdoors.

Stitching: This should be comfortable, not irritate the skin and be sturdy enough for frequent wear and washing.

Once you select a production partner that fits your needs, it’s time to create your first collection. Zohar suggests starting with one item as you experiment with your offerings. “The more you add to your line-up, the more complicated it gets,” she says. As you weigh how to make a fitness clothing line that meets all your clients’ needs, remember that it should appeal to your target demographic while being inclusive of all genders and body sizes.

It’s now time to hand off the baton to your manufacturer and await your fitness clothing line’s arrival.

03. Selling

In the meantime, determine your sales plan so you’re ready to take off as soon as your branded apparel is delivered. You'll also need a place to store it, so line up a warehouse or storage space now, if needed.

Use the design renderings and sample units from your manufacturer to build out your online shop page, and make sure you can receive payments. (Read more about Wix Payments .) If you’re planning to sell in your gym as well, carve out space for a display.

04. Marketing

Once you receive notifications that your first order is on the way, spread the news with on-premises signage and social media posts. Consider other marketing strategies that fit with your brand and your clients: Would a fashion show with your instructors or trainers draw attendance if you host it after class, serve smoothies and host a giveaway? Should you offer discounts or incentives for your most frequent gym visitors? Can you team up with regional influencers to spread the news as well as expand your networking skills?

05. Monitoring sales

Now is not the time to set and forget, Zohar says. It’s essential to keep track of sales, revenue and merchandise levels on a weekly (if not daily) basis. Don't forget to include an expense report in order to keep track of what you owe and what you own. “Adding inventory too quickly is a sure way to go bankrupt. It took us two years to introduce a new style and it’s very slowly gaining speed,” she says of her Softwear line.

What’s selling—and what’s not—can tell you a lot about both your audience and your fitness clothing line. Ask for honest feedback from your members either in person or in a follow-up email survey.

“Your customer is always evolving and you can’t please them in every aspect as a small business," Zohar says. "Start by making one or two things really well."

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Small Business Brain

Education, Inspiration & News to Help You Build a Thriving Career

How to Start a Fitness Clothing Line

Orginally Posted On: May 5, 2019 By Brittni Abiolu -- Updated On August 12, 2020

According to Global Industry Analysts, the sports apparel market is booming. The sector is projected to rake in a whopping $231.7 billion by 2024. The growth of the sports and fitness clothing sector is attributable to the increased participation in sports and fitness activities as the population shifts to healthier lifestyles. On top of that, athletic wear is quickly becoming a fixture in the mainstream apparel and fashion industry.

Just take a stroll down the streets of major cities and you’re bound to see people dressed like they’re headed to the gym, a spin class, or a yoga studio. From leggings to yoga pants, workout clothes and running gear, fitness apparel is becoming more and more popular in the United States and other parts of the world. This has created a lot of opportunities for prospective entrepreneurs. Would you like to know how to start a fitness clothing line? Here’s how.

Research the Industry and Target Market

Entrepreneurs who find a niche in the sports apparel world can build a lucrative business. But considering that you will be competing with giants such as Dick’s Sporting Goods, Cabela’s, Bass Pro Shop, or The Sports Authority, you need to make sure that you have all the information you need before diving in. Just like any other type of business, understanding the market and knowing your customers are the key ingredients for success. Sportswear is as much about comfort and functionality as it’s about looking good.

Define Your Niche Market

As a small start-up in the cutthroat fitness clothing industry, a niche market is your best chance of success — unless you’ve got the resources to compete with industry moguls such as Nike, Adidas, and the rest. Use your research to determine your target market. With the information that you’ve gathered, put your ideas to work and design a clothing that fits the description of your target customer.

When designing your clothes, determine a product mix. Consider the number and types of designs, fabrics, and styles and come up with the best mix of these aspects. Take your direction from the sporting profile in your region, city, or community as well as what your competitors are stocking. For instance, there’s a big hockey presence in your locale — as demonstrated by sporting venues, inventory in other stores, and media — make sure that you have a sufficient inventory of hockey clothing.

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Prepare a Business Plan

Use your research findings to draw up a business plan. A business plan will help you define the specifics of your company and establish a business model. It’s a valuable tool when it comes to starting and running a successful fitness clothing line. In fact, a business plan is required by banks and other financial institution to get funds for your business. There are experts who can help you prepare this critical documents. Also, there are books and online templates you can as guides when preparing a business plan.

Source Funding

Unless you’re loaded, you’ll have to get some sort of financial assistance. The good news is that you don’t need a lot to start a fitness clothing line, meaning that there are a lot of options to consider when it comes to funding. For instance, you can go apply for a no doc business line of credit to get your fitness clothing line business up and running. A no doc business line of credit is simply a type of funding you borrow increments and repay in installments.

This type of funding is unsecured hence easy to obtain. You don’t need assets or any other form of collateral for your application to be approved. This type of funding is perfect for small businesses or start-ups. Amount offered depends on your personal credit activity and usually ranges from a few thousand to over one million. With consistency — vis-à-vis timely payments, you will be able to build credit and improve your limit.

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Not sure how much it will cost to start a clothing line ? The cost of starting a clothing line can be high or low. Go here to learn more about how much it could cost you.

Obtain a License

Compared to sourcing staff, finding premises, securing funding, or drawing up a business plan, obtaining a license for a fitness clothing line is a pretty straightforward process. In most cases, all you have to do is fill in the application forms and wait for the license. Ask your local licensing authority about the licensing you’ll need to operate or reach out to companies like Incfile, just to be sure. Some licenses, however, may be issued only after you’ve submitted to some kind of inspection.

Since you’ll probably be employing people, get an Employer Identification Number (EIN) by visiting the Internal Revenue Service website. If it’s necessary for your area, get a sales tax registration and apply for a sales tax license with your local Department of Revenue. Request for application information for all the information on all the licenses you need to start a fitness clothing line, along with the required documentation.

Start your company today for $0 with IncFile.com.

Set Up Shop

Once you’ve obtained the necessary licenses, you’re good to set up your fitness clothing line store. The condition of the store you rent is contingent on the amount of energy, money, and time you must expend to ready the space for retail sport clothing sales. Remember that the location of your physical store or stores is key. Every business entity needs a name, it’s a very important element of the business. If you already have a name in mind, then that’s it.

Build Relationships with Manufacturers

Work on establishing a rapport with sports clothing manufacturers, distributors, and brokers. Hold meetings with these entities and inquire about factors such as volume discounts, delivery deadlines, and other issues that may affect the operations of your business. Before you start working with a particular manufacturer or distributor, ask for references from anyone who has worked with them before. This will help you assess whether they are reliable or not.

Starting a clothing line, or any other type of business for that matter is not easy. There are many challenges to overcome. Most importantly, you’ll need funding to get your business up and running. But that’s not all, you need a long-term financial strategy. When sourcing for funding, look for a financier that’s willing to share resources to help you overcome challenges, grow, and sustain your business. Small Business Brain has reputation for helping new entrepreneurs do exactly that.

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Sportarly is a site supported by readers. We use affiliate links which means that we make a small commission if you purchase something from Amazon after clicking on one of our links. Learn how we keep our buyers guides and review lists objective here .

How to Start a Fitness Clothing Line

So, you want to know how to start a fitness clothing line. Brilliant! If you follow the right steps, you can have your fitness apparel brand up and running within days.

If you are passionate about health and fitness and put the work in, the sky really is the limit with this kind of business. One of the founders of Gym Shark, Ben Francis, started his fitness clothing company in his bedroom at his parents house and they hit over $100 million last year. Of course to come even close to this level of success, you will have to put the work in. We have laid out how you can get started in 5 easy steps below .

How to Create a Fitness Apparel Line in 5 Easy Steps

• Pick a Brand Name
• Create a Logo
• Create an Online Shop
• Source Custom Printed Products (Without the Need to Invest in Stock)
• Start Making Sales/Marketing

Step 1: Pick a Brand Name

*Do not purchase your brand/domain name until you have been through the other steps below. You will be able to get it free when setting up your store.

If you already have a brand name in mind, great. You can skip to the next step (don’t rush to buy the domain name though as you will be able to get it free when setting up your online shop). If not, the first part of setting up your clothing line is picking a name for your brand.

Do not get stuck on this step . I know it can be easy to spend hours and hours trying to come up with the perfect name. 99% of the time there is absolutely nothing wrong with your initial name. The other 1% of the time, the perfect name will come to you when you are not even thinking about it (or even after you have created your website).

Your brand/business name should represent what your brand is all about. Think about what your brand values will be (will you be an exclusive brand? A niche one specifically for gym bros or bunnies? A brand for a particular target audience like Nerd Fitness?).

Remember, your name does not have to be too literal. Nike doesn’t translate directly to their tag line “ just do it ” but through strategic marketing, we all know the image that their name puts out (confidence, determination and perseverance).

Again, do not spend too much time on this step . Go with your gut and remember, you can always change your brand name later on (for some of our stores we have even switched names after getting initial orders and seen no negative effects).

Step 2: Create a Logo

Once you have decided on a name for your fitness apparel line, you need to create an initial logo. I say initial because it is highly likely that you will change your logo later on. I suggest using Canva to come up with a logo quickly. Their logo templates are beautiful and they have many sports themed ones available.

Step 3: Create an Online Shop

Personally, this is my favourite bit. I LOVE putting together new projects. Picking the perfect theme and seeing your fitness line coming together just gets me going and lights me up. How you go about this will depend on how you want to set up your store.

Use Shopify to Setup Your Online Shop

I always suggest that those creating their first store go with Shopify . Other options are great but this is truly one of the best ecommerce solutions you will find. The Shopify team have put together a great platform that allows beginners to learn and setup and online shop in a reasonable amount of time. They even have articles, guides and resources to help you create and grow your first shop. Find some of them here .

Shopify offers a generous free trial and take care of everything from the store front to processing and fulfilling orders (including collecting payments and depositing them directly in to your PayPal account).

First, sign up here to start your free trial (at the time of writing, 23rd October 2020 – updated on 29th December 2020, 90 days to help new entrepreneurs setting up a new project as a result of COVID-19).

As you are signing up, you will be asked if you want to buy a custom domain for your store. You will want to own a custom/proper domain . The alternative is to have a “yourdomain.myshopify.com” address which is not nearly as professional. A custom domain is the one place online your customers know they can interact directly with your brand and your brand only.

Fill in all the mandatory details and then move on to that actual designing of your online shop.

Choose a Theme

If you have the budget, I would seriously consider investing in a premium theme like the Out of the Sandbox ones or even finding a well-reviewed one on Theme Forest .

Don’t get me wrong, the free Shopify themes are great and more than enough to get started. It is just that premium themes often have a tad more professionalism and you can find one which matches the look and feel you had in mind for your fitness clothing lines website.

Much like the previous step, don’t spend too much time worrying about this. Themes can always be changed later on and odds are, you will change your theme multiple times as your store grows. I don’t think I have owned a single website whose theme did not change at least 3 times since I created it.

Good Shopify Apps for a Fitness Clothing Store

You will quickly find that there are Shopify apps to help you do near enough anything. From streamlining your shipping processes (not an issue if you opt for print-on-demand fulfilment solutions, see below) to adding a fun ‘spin the wheel’ discount generator to increase sales. Installing and operating them is easier than ever also. Here are some we recommend for a fitness apparel line:

• Mail Chimp connector to customise abandoned cart emails (helps increase sales).
• After Ship (if you are shipping your products yourself).
• Wheelio to gamify your clothing lines website and increase conversion rates.

Accepting Payments

One of the many brilliant things about owning a Shopify store is that they help you start accepting payments almost immediately. Simply connect your PayPal account (or create one if you haven’t already) and configure your options and you are done.

Use WordPress for More Control and Customisation of Your Store

Whilst Shopify is great, some people want a bit more control over their site and/or would prefer to use WordPress and their WooCommerce solution to setting up an online store.

WordPress is good for those who perhaps want to customise things like their sites URL structure, have specialist plugin needs (WordPress has a mammoth range of plugins) and/or are familiar with PHP and looking to use this knowledge whilst building their site.

There are a few additional steps when creating a fitness clothing company site with WordPress but doing so is still relatively simple.

WordPress Hosting

The first step will be deciding on how you will host your site. There are many options ranging from quick, easy and affordable Siteground hosting to expensive and hands on dedicated servers. It is extremely rare that anyone would want to start with anything but a shared hosting option. Hosting can always be upgraded as and when it is needed as sales increase.

For those looking to get up quickly, I recommend you go with Siteground hosting . Not only are they reliable, affordable and beginner friendly but you can also use their handy WordPress one-click install to get up and running that much quicker.

Whilst you are signing up for your hosting package, register your domain name also. This way you can connect your domain name to your server whist you are setting up.

WordPress is a huge platform (in fact, it is estimated that up to 80% of websites online run on WordPress) and there is no shortage of themes available. Considering how many themes are available, I would head over to the ecommerce section of Theme Forest to find the perfect one for your business.

WordPress also has a mammoth library of plugins (or “apps”) which will help you do almost anything you can think of. Some of the main ones we recommend are:

• Contact Forms 7 (adds enquiry/contact us forms to your site)
• Mail Chimp Connector (automates abandoned cart emails and order fulfilment AKA shipping emails).
• Askimet (prevents spam attacks)

Accepting payments is slightly more complicated with WordPress than on Shopify. However, providing you only want to accept a couple of payment methods initially, you shouldn’t have any trouble getting up and running.

Head over to WooCommerce > Settings > Payment Gateways and enable the payment options you wish to offer. Next, use the instructions to connect your relevant accounts (PayPal, BrainTree, Stipe etc.) and make sure your plugins are configured to action order update emails once payments have been authorized, received and/or cleared.

Step 4: Source Custom Printed Fitness Apparel Products

Whilst it used to be time consuming and expensive to source high-quality products for your business, the power of the internet has streamlined the process. As you will learn below, there are now multiple fulfilment and product sourcing options which allow you to start a fitness clothing line without investing tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of stock.

Print-on-Demand (POD)

Print-on-demand (POD) product fulfilment options are our preferred method for starting fitness clothing lines. Factories in the US, Europe and China exist who can print high-quality fitness apparel with your logo and ship the product directly to your customers. They can offer this with a minimum order quantity of just 1 unit (which would have been unheard of in years gone by) and completely automate the fulfilment part of your business.

Some of our preferred POD suppliers include:

• Gear Bubble

Offers all over print options on a range of fitness apparel. A good option for those with more artistic/colour designs in mind.

Private Labelling

Another option is private labelling. You take a generic fitness apparel product (say a nylon vest) and ask the manufacturer (usually based in China/overseas) to print the same garment with your logo. You are adding a private label to an existing product. This is a good option for those looking to order items in bulk and ship products out themselves (higher margins) who don’t want to invest heavily in to research and development of an entirely new product/range of items.

Manufacturing

Once brands reach a certain size or if they have considerable budgets to invest, it makes sense to go to a manufacturer directly and have them create and product products exclusive to your brand. This is likely where brands like Gym Shark, Nike and Adidas are at. They have built up strong brand names, dominate the market and can afford to invest in research and design to create entirely new products found exclusively made by them (at least initially).

Step 5: Start Making Sales/Marketing

Personally, I think people make getting their first sale into way more of a big deal than it is in reality.

So, you have spent some time coming up with the perfect brand name, getting your site set up and finding a high-quality branded product, what next? Well, literally shoot your brother/sister, friend, colleague or mum a text asking them to check out your site. More often than not they will be so impressed they buy just to see how the damn thing turns out (hint, the POD suppliers above ensure that you deliver an amazing product).

The steps above allow you to build the metaphorical boat and sails. Now is the time to go out and find the wind to power it forward. Trust me, once you do you will be addicted.

It is the second, third, hundredth and thousand sale that takes the work. If you already have a social following in the niche then you are some way ahead. Throw your websites address in your Bio, give it a shout out and reap the rewards. If not, no bother. There are systems you can use to build targeted Instagram followings without even creating your own content.

Reinvest the Profits

You are generating sales, making money and living the high life. Hmm not quite. Once you start seeing a profit from your hard work, now is the time to push things further! Approach influencers to see who can push your products to their loyal following. Give Facebook ads a go and start learning the foundations of all good marketing campaigns.

The Gym Shark story highlights an important part of creating a fitness apparel line…

Picking a Business Plan and Sticking to it

Considering you are looking to start a health and fitness based business, you will likely have some experience with training, working out and/or nutrition. You will also know that while some routines and diets might be better than others, the most important part of seeing success in the gym or the mirror is picking a plan and sticking to it . This is the same for any of the business plans below. You can earn great money and create a quality business using any of them (or even a combination) but the main thing is picking one and sticking to it.

See, when the guys at Gym Shark first started, they wanted to test the waters before investing heavily. They actually started with a dropshipping model and generated some sales before holding any stock.

Jake Dennon

I am an avid sports enthusiast who has been fortunate enough to train with some of the best athletes and coaches in the world.

As a child, I had a keen interest in martial arts (karate). I've trained with one of the best trainers in my home country.

Moving into my teenage years I tried everything from calisthenics to weight lifting to Taekwondo and everything in between. While I do love all kinds of sports, my passion still lies in martial arts.

The combat sport coaches I have been trained by have also trained some of the top fighters in the industry. All of these brilliant trainers (and all the ones in between) have shown me just how rewarding keeping fit and healthy can be.

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• How to Start a Fitness Clothing Line (Full Guide)
• May 31, 2023

In recent times, the fitness industry has evolved to become a very big industry. People now take their fitness a lot more seriously and the fitness clothing line is gradually growing to be a casual wear because of its comfortability. If you want to break into the fashion industry, a fitness clothing line might be the best niche to choose. 

If you are on a search for how to start a fitness clothing line , you will have all the guidance you need here. You can read it below. 

Conduct Industry Research Before Commencing Business 

There is no way a successful business will be run without researching the industry. In this section, you will learn how to investigate the market size and understand trends and growth progress in the industry. This will help you get acquainted with the industry before investing in it. 

Investigate Market Size

Before commencing your business, you should research the fitness clothing industry. Investigating the market size will help get familiar with how big the size of the market is. 

Fast-growing start-ups are creating their clothing line, making huge impressions, and you can do that too. Aside from the market size exposure that would be gotten from researching, an understanding of the market size will also help to set up better goals for the business. 

Understand Development Trend

Having an insight into how the industry you want to build a business has evolved over the years will help you formulate your goals better. The fitness clothing business has proven to be a sunrise industry because of how much it has grown in recent times. Aside from these, it is an industry with promising long-term growth, capital-intensive, and a considerable number of start-ups. 

Young people are getting more conscious of their health and fitness programs like working out in the gym , yoga, and general exercise are becoming more popular. Furthermore, fitness clothing lines are mostly collections of comfortable wear that resonates with people who love casual and comfortable outfits. 

Know Your Customers 

The potential customers of an activewear brand can include athletes, fitness enthusiasts, gym-goers, outdoor adventurers, and individuals leading an active lifestyle. Their interests when it comes to activewear revolve around functionality, performance, comfort, and style.

Athletes prioritize sport-specific features such as moisture-wicking, breathability, and flexibility to optimize their performance. Fitness enthusiasts may focus on activewear that offers a flattering fit, durability, and versatility for various workouts. 

Gym-goers seek comfortable and moisture-wicking fabrics that keep them cool (learn: Choosing the Best Clothes for Hot Yoga: Tips for Keeping Cool and Comfortable) during intense exercises. Outdoor adventurers may value weather resistance, UV protection, and durability for their activewear. Individuals leading an active lifestyle often seek activewear that seamlessly transitions from workouts to casual wear, combining style and functionality.

Establish a Niche Market and Decide on Your Style

The fitness clothing line is a niche in the fashion industry but can still be streamlined to choices and style. There are various fitness clothing niches that you can build a successful business or brand around. These are some of the niches:

Activewear is comfortable cloth designed for working out and exercising, but it can also double as casual wear. They are made with breathable fabrics, light, moist-absorbent, and comfortable to wear. 

They are designed primarily for outdoor activities. Activewear is worn to the gym, yoga, and outdoor exercise. Some of these activewear are leggings, hoodies, joggers, tank tops, sweatshirts, and swimsuits. It is mostly made of polyester and nylon because polyester is moist and absorbent. 

Athleisure 

Athleisure is when activewear meets style and more aesthetic details. They were once stereotyped to be just yoga pants and crop tops but they have now been widely accepted as a new fashion style. 

Athleisure is a multipurpose fashionable outfit that focuses on style, aesthetics, and comfort. They are also often made in subtle colors but can be styled in any way to fit the occasion. Athleisure is a versatile and fashionable outfit. 

Sportswear 

Sportswear is any clothing that is worn for sports or physical exercises. They might just be a piece of clothing you find comfortable to wear indoors asides during sport. They are basically athletic clothes. 

They are made from various fabrics like polyester, lycra, cotton, bamboo, etc. Sport doesn’t do much aesthetics as much athleisure. However, it places more value on comfort and functionality.

Streetwear 

Street-style sportswear emerged in the late 1990s and quickly gained popularity. Renowned for their comfort, youthful appeal, and trendiness, these garments revolutionized fashion. 

Notably, graphic designs and branding play a prominent role in the creation of street-style sportswear, making it an effective medium for establishing a lasting connection with consumers. This unique fusion of style and athleticism has resonated with people, making street-style sportswear a powerful way to make a lasting impression in the hearts of individuals.

Make a Solid Business Plan to Support Your Clothing Line

A business plan is a document written to describe your business structure, vision, goals, objectives, and how to achieve them. You will be learning the models of the clothing business and the main content that should be in your brand. 

Three Basic Clothing Business Models

Though there are many clothing business models, we will be looking at the three basic ones:

• Print on Demand 

Print on demand as the name implies means you create products to sell by outsourcing and you start producing them based on demand. For instance, you post a print-on-demand fitness apparel. 

You will only request production and delivery from the manufacturer after payments have been made by customers. Then you pay the manufacturer and keep the profit. Then you contact your manufacturer to help you with the process of printing, as payment has been made for the goods already. 

• Private Label

The concept of private labels entails that the retailer, rather than the manufacturer, owns the name or label on the product. This business model fosters a mutually beneficial relationship between the retailer and the manufacturer. To establish a successful private label, it is crucial to seek out an experienced and reliable manufacturer. 

By leveraging the expertise of a trusted manufacturer, an activewear brand can deliver high-quality, customized products that align with its unique vision and target audience’s needs, fostering brand loyalty and differentiation in a competitive market.

This is also called cut and sew. This means the fabrics would be cut and sewed based on standard measurements. This mode calls for creativity and dexterity with both sewing and cutting. You can start a fitness apparel brand with the custom-cut model type. 

Main Content Should Be Covered in Your Plan

These are the content that should be covered in your business plan:

• Organizational Structure

For a fitness clothing line, a recommended organizational structure would typically include key departments such as design and development, production, marketing and sales, and operations. 

A cross-functional team approach is essential, with collaboration and communication between departments to ensure seamless coordination and efficient operations, resulting in a successful fitness clothing line. 

• Competitor Analysis

Conducting a competitor analysis is essential for a fitness clothing line to stay competitive in the market. Firstly, identifying direct competitors and analyzing their product offerings, pricing strategies, and target markets provides valuable insights. Assessing their strengths and weaknesses allows for better positioning of the fitness clothing line’s products. 

It is crucial to study their marketing and branding strategies, including their online presence and social media engagement, to identify opportunities for differentiation. 

• Sales Strategy

Developing a sales strategy for a fitness clothing line involves several key elements. Firstly, identifying the target market and understanding their preferences and needs is crucial. 

Implementing effective pricing strategies, such as competitive pricing or value-based pricing, ensures the products are priced appropriately in the market.

Additionally, providing excellent customer service, offering flexible return policies, and implementing loyalty programs can enhance customer satisfaction and encourage repeat purchases, fostering long-term brand loyalty. 

• Financial Plan (Costs & Funding)

A financial plan for a fitness clothing line encompasses costs and funding considerations. The costs involved include product development, manufacturing, inventory management, marketing and advertising, packaging, distribution, and operational expenses. 

It is crucial to accurately estimate these costs and create a budget to ensure financial stability. Funding options may include self-funding, seeking investors or venture capital, securing loans, or crowdfunding. 

Choose the Right Manufacturer to Cooperate 

This is the part where you need to choose the right manufacturer for your activewear or general fitness clothing line to be assured that its quality will not be compromised. These are some of the conditions you must observe when choosing the right manufacturer:

Consider Their Influence in the Field

• Experience and Ranking

You need an experienced manufacturer before starting your fitness clothing line. Before you choose any manufacturer, make sure to check out their ranking and experience with gym apparel brands. In addition, review their methods of communication, reputation, and customer care service, so that you can get appropriate support whenever you need it.

• Brands They Have Worked With

UGA has established partnerships with reputable alternative sportswear manufacturers, making it an ideal choice for fitness apparel brands seeking high-quality products. 

UGA’s commitment to delivering exceptional sportswear ensures that businesses can trust in the reliability and consistency of their products. By choosing UGA, businesses gain access to a wide range of customizable options, competitive pricing, and excellent customer service. 

Weigh Their Comprehensive Capacity 

• Available styles 

The available styles in the manufacturer’s collections can help you determine whether or not they are the right person for you. You do not want to start a fitness clothing line with obsolete styles. Always be on the lookout for manufacturers with trendy and unique clothing styles. 

You certainly want to work with a manufacturer who has time integrity and will deliver on time. There are times there will be unavoidable delays, but always settle for the one with the lowest lead time.

• Fabric Quality 

Another comprehensive capacity there is fabric quality. Always go for manufacturers with better fabric quality. Ensure that the fabric is s breathable, soft, and light weighted. These are fabrics you can check out nylon, cotton, spandex, polyester, bamboo, merino wool, mesh, and linen. 

Finish Legal Formalities and Start Operating 

Getting your legal document before the official opening of the clothing line is quite necessary. Here are some necessary documents that your gym apparel brands. The legal license of your business and your business insurance. 

Obtain Legal Licenses 

The best way to protect your business is by getting a legal license for your business. It helps you to be acquainted with the law that covers your business. It helps you know the laws that cover you, your employees, and your customers. 

To confirm the legitimacy of a business and mitigate potential legal risks, it is essential for an activewear brand in the USA to obtain the necessary licenses and permits. Some of the licenses and permits that may be required include:

• Business License : A general license that grants permission to operate a business within a specific jurisdiction.
• Sales Tax Permit : Required for fitness apparel brands selling tangible goods, including activewear, to collect and remit sales taxes.
• Trademark Registration : Optional but highly recommended to protect the brand’s name, logo, and other intellectual property from unauthorized use.
• Employer Identification Number (EIN) : Obtained from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for tax purposes, particularly if the activewear brand plans to hire employees.
• Import/Export License : If the activewear brand engages in international trade, an import/export license may be necessary to comply with customs regulations.
• Environmental Permits : If the brand handles or produces materials that may have environmental impacts, such as dyeing or printing processes, specific permits may be required to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.
• Health and Safety Permits : Depending on the manufacturing and production processes involved, health and safety permits may be necessary to ensure compliance with workplace safety standards.

Secure Business Insurance 

Business insurance will protect your business in the face of an unplanned turn of events that might lead to business damage. Business insurance will keep your mind at ease with your business and take away the risk of failing a business. 

Running a business or an organization takes hard work and getting your mind off some risks will help you to be more productive. It also saves your business from liability. 

Set Up Your Shop (location, online or physical store, etc.)

Whether you are running the business online or offline, this is a great accomplishment. If you have a physical store, make sure you are in a strategic area that is close to where we have more of your target audience. Running a business takes a lot of dedication and resilience. 

Set up both your offline and online store and start using your sales strategies to get people to buy your fitness clothing line. For every customer you get, treat them special so they can come again. 

Increase Market Share by Building a Good Reputation 

To keep a customer satisfied you have to listen to feedback. Here are some ways to help you build a good reputation.

Value User Feedback

If you love feedback from your customers, you will be staying long in this business. User feedback will help you adjust your goals and objectives. It will help you self-reflect and work more based on the feedback you get. 

It also helps with better decision-making for the business. You have gotten insights into what you are doing right, it is just typical that you keep at it. When you request feedback from your customers it makes them feel somewhat important and it shows you value their opinion. 

Establish Effective Promotion

As much as keeping the customers satisfied and happy is important, you also need to have new customers. It is important that periodically you launch effective promotions that will generate leads and will eventually convert to sales. 

Start by knowing your target audience, then create offers that will be difficult to resist and use multiple channels both online and offline for promotions. 

Put a timeline to it to create urgency and add a figure limit to it to create scarcity. Engage your leads and turn them into clients. You can also ask those that benefited from the promo to make a video review for the brand. 

Start Branding From the Beginning

To know how to start a gym clothing line and be successful (learn: Stay Warm and Stylish: Gym Wear for Winter Success) with it, branding needs to be in place. Branding is the totality of how what you do is perceived by people. It is the absolute representation of your vision, goals, and objectives. 

First, you can start with your brand identity. Name: Let your name represent what you do as a business. Choose a unique name, not one that has been used by several fitness apparel brands. 

You can seek a professional to help you with your brand identity design. A logo, templates, and flyers. To register your brand in people’s hearts, don’t forget you should be intentional about it. 

UGA: Reliable Workout Clothing Manufacturer Since 2014

UGA is a reliable workout clothing manufacturer that was established in 2014, we are dedicated to making quality workout clothing made from the best and quality breathable fabrics.

We have a wide range of aesthetically pleasing and comfortable print-on-demand fitness apparel in our collection. 

Professional Private Label

With our professional private label service, we deliver private label service that ranges from logo, branding, printing, and packaging to control over production. We manufacture and you give us your brand identity. This allows you to have your unique products without the stress of the cost of setting up your manufacturing facility.

We have a team of experienced designers that can help you with your customized logo and brand for your business. They will also work with you to choose the right colors, font, and materials, to your satisfaction. 

Once your product is created, UGA can also provide printing and packaging services to get your product ready for sale. We are your one-stop workout manufacturing company.

Robust Customization from Ideas to Finished Wears 

At UGA, we offer an extensive range of custom options, providing gym apparel brands with unparalleled flexibility and creativity when it comes to their activewear. Our robust customization process allows you to personalize every aspect of your garments. From choosing the fabric composition, color schemes, and patterns to adding custom logos, labels, and embellishments, we ensure that your activewear reflects your unique brand identity. 

Whether you prefer minimalist designs or bold and vibrant graphics, our skilled team can bring your ideas to life with precision and craftsmanship. With UGA, you have the power to create truly one-of-a-kind activewear collections that resonate with your target audience and make a lasting impression. Elevate your brand with our comprehensive custom options and stand out in the competitive activewear market.

With our dedicated UGA R&D team, we stay at the forefront of garment technology and market trends. Our state-of-the-art sewing machines and advanced facilities enable us to swiftly produce top-quality samples of print-on-demand fitness apparel. From design conception to development and manufacturing, we excel in delivering seamless solutions. 

Partnering with us guarantees a hassle-free process for creating your custom workout clothing. Our expertise ensures that every step, from design to production, is executed with ease. Count on us to provide a smooth experience and exceptional results as we work together to bring your vision to life. Choose UGA for a streamlined journey in creating your bespoke workout clothing.

We hope this will serve as a full guide to how to start a fitness clothing line. Starting a business is not an all-easy feat but with adequate guidance and mentorship, it might as well become a walk in the park. Go back to your drawing board and work on your business plan again, take each topic one at a time till you implement all. 

UGA is always available to help you create comfort in style. If you are new to our blog page, we have a lot more articles that you will gain value from and find really helpful. Make sure you go through our website to be inspired and stay up to date. 

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How to Start a Fitness Clothing Line [2024]

How heavy and difficult can it be to start a fitness or gym-wear clothing brand? Well, it’s not that heavy, to be honest. Not only is it easy to create a fitness clothing brand and sell gym wear or sportswear clothing lines, but starting a fitness clothing line is a fun part of the huge fashion industry.

A massive group of people is going to the gym, and anyone who is going to the gym recommends wearing a fitness clothing line to see the body shape over which they are working.

By offering the right fitness clothes, you can make your way in the market and give your consumers a sense of passion that motivates them to go to the gym and do better.

There are thousands of opportunities that you can start from in the fitness industry, but it can be a little confusing for you when you think about starting your fitness clothing brand.

But don’t worry, today we are here with a detailed guide on how you can start a fitness clothing business efficiently and take your business to success .

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Is it a fitness clothing brand worth the shot?

You must consider whether it’s worth starting a clothing fitness business despite having a limited consumer market. The fitness clothing business is another major brand of clothing distributed and active.

Based on the facts, the fitness clothing industry experienced significant growth of about 11% from the year 2018 to 2023, and from time to time, it’s expected to grow much more than this.

The fitness clothing industry had a business value of $32.3 Billion just in 2018. While talking about recent research, the activewear revenue market will have reached a value of $ 303 Billion in 2021.

So with that said, it’s definitely profitable and worth it to start a fitness clothing line business in [2024].

8 Steps to Starting a Fitness Clothing Brand in [2024]

Here is the roadmap you need to follow when starting a fitness clothing brand in [2024]:

1. Find the niche to work on

With the vast diversity in the clothing line, fitness clothing also offers an extensive selection of products. If you have done competitor research, you might be familiar with the fact that some brands are famous for any particular kind of niche.

Likewise, you also need to pick a specific niche in the fitness clothing lines to specialize in dealing with that particular niche and tune into the market. Being a fitness manufacturer, you can branch out to a sportswear brand and work with a sportswear manufacturer , as they are experts in manufacturing both sports and fitness brand lines.

Research your niche options, and brainstorm your ideas on styling, colors, patterns, and designs. Finalize the niche in which you are the most creative and have great ideas . Research more styling and innovative options for that particular niche. Spot trends and buying patterns of the consumers.

Also, make sure that you choose a niche with less competition; the less competition you have, the more beneficial for you as there will be fewer competitors, and you can grow your brand effortlessly.

2. A strong business plan

This is the step that most startups lose and do not focus on. If you are starting your clothing business just as a side business and don’t want to expand this business, then you can skip the business plan. But if you plan to take your business ahead, a clothing line business is a must-have for you.

A business plan is not just a formal document of how you are operating your business in the clothing industry, it’s a whole plan that can have you achieve success and complete your objectives in the defined time span.

First, set an attractive, easy-to-remember, and impression-creating brand name for your clothing business and register your business.

By researching your business line, we will know much about the consumer target you are selling to.

Here are some significant factors you can focus on while writing a clothing fitness clothing line business plan:

Read here: Fitness Blog Names Fitness Instagram Names Fitness Channel Name Fitness Team Names Fitness Podcast Names How To Choose A Perfect Name For Your Business

Your business plan starts with an executive summary written at the end of the whole business as it summarizes all the features and details of your business. After that, you can mention your clothing business goals, vision, aim, and objectives. The plans you target are easier to follow.

Target market

You should define the consumer market you are targeting to sell your clothing line. You can research your consumer market by studying the demographics, age, gender, buying behaviors, and patterns of your target market.

Marketing strategies

You can mention the marketing strategies you will use to promote the fitness brand. You can set effective brand marketing strategies that include social media marketing, google ads, or email marketing . Moreover, you can list different marketing plans like outbound marketing strategies and more.

Competition analysis

The utmost critical study and research include the competitor’s analysis. Your competition can be the best source for your learning. You can study and learn a lot from your competitors selling the same products as you and targeting the same consumer market.

You can identify the main reason customers purchase from them and what marketing strategies they use to attract and retain customers.

Here is an essential business model template that you should follow when creating a business plan for your clothing line:

Executive Summary

Products & services, market analysis, marketing & sales, organization & management, financial projections, 3. get your business registered.

It’s always a good practice to get your business registered. By doing so, your brand becomes a trustable resource for customers, and you also get the official rights to sell in the country. If you are launching your fitness clothing brand in the US, you should register your clothing business in the same region.

At the same time, it’s not necessary to register your business in the country you are selling to. Suppose you are operating your business from the US and selling to the UK consumer market. Then you need to register your business in the US, not the UK.

The official permits are like the state’s certificates allowing you to sell and do business. You can have detailed information about the building code, properties acquired by the business, and everything sorted in a business plan. By having a registered company, you can easily find a working space and get things started quickly.

You can register your clothing business as any of them Sole Proprietorships, Partnerships, Corporations, S Corporations, or Limited Liability Companies (LLC).

Read here: How to Register and Start a Business in Singapore How to Determine the Legal Structure of Your Business 7 Tips To Make Your Business Attractive

4. Obtain an EIN

By registering, you can get an EIN. The EIN stands for Employee Identification Number . This unique number allows you to file taxes to avoid the penalties, get your load application approved, or score a business deal and partnerships with other businesses.

Obtaining an EIN is easier than ever. You can get it online through an IRS and get one in a couple of minutes. The EIN benefits long-term business by protecting against identity theft, avoiding tax penalties and business bank accounts, and adding credibility to your business.

By obtaining the EIN for your business, you will get rid of every paperwork you initially need to acquire when starting your fitness wear clothing brand.

5. Marketing strategy

When you are in the fashion industry, you must keep your brand updated with the latest trends and latest fashion industry things. Also, you must keep your social media accounts active and updated with the latest fashion styles and designs so your customer gets an impressive image of your clothing brand.

You can work on your clothing marketing strategy and build an impressive business profile that attracts your customers and other brands. This increases your engagement and worthwhile you in the fashion industry.

Nowadays, social media is the best marketing tool. You have to be engaged with your customers, and your social media is your safe space to post whatever you want regarding your business.

Instagram accounts are the top trending talk of the town that consumers follow. Instagram and Facebook marketing is a whole world in itself, and you can gain many customers online by marketing your brand and products within an excellent potential market. This can be a practical approach for your clothing business.

Read here: How To Maximize Your Social Media Presence Why is Digital Marketing Important for Business Growth? How Can You Generate Revenue Online with Digital Marketing?

6. Mark your online breeze

Launching a gym clothing line is more accessible, but do you know what is easier than it? It’s taking your business online.

The online market has great potential as more and more customers find it easier to shop online. The online shopping value will reach $5 Trillion by 2022 and is expected to create a boom in the future.

Shifting your business allows your customers to reach you easily through the internet and connects your brand to international clients. While sitting in the USA, you can efficiently serve your customer in a different country.

Creating an online website selling store is a perfect way to boost your online sales. To launch your own website, you will need to buy a domain or hosting of the same business name. (while naming your brand, make sure that it has a website domain available.)

Thanks to the vast number of eCommerce platforms out there. With so many options, you can easily identify the best theme and customize your website based on your presence, brand image, and colors.

For example, if you are running a fashion or fitness clothing line, you’ll need an attractive website with several landing pages for your product pages.

Read here: How to Start an Online Fashion Business   

7. Connect with a clothing manufacturer

If you don’t have a clothes manufacturing facility or don’t have a plan to manufacture clothes by yourself, then you will need to connect with a clothing manufacturer. The clothing manufacturers are the ones who can create custom clothes for your brand based on your requirements.

The fitness clothing industry is expected to expand by 147.7 billion by the year 2024, so in order to cater to this much-worth value industry, clothing manufacturers can be your best partners.

Most brands don’t have access to a manufacturing facility, so they connect with skillful clothing manufacturers who manufacture clothes for these brands based on their requirements.

The clothing manufacturers are like the clothing industry experts, and they are pro-efficient at manufacturing custom clothing lines with in-house design teams and fashion experts. They can help you in creating the best custom designs. Also, you can create your private label brand with them.

Moreover, you can ask for custom clothes that your customer wants. Customers love to wear custom clothes specially made for them, and you can get custom orders and get them, man.

There are two types of clothing manufacturers, overseas and domestic clothing manufacturers. Compared to domestic manufacturers overseas, manufacturers are less expensive.

Also read: Strategic growth hacks for manufacturing business Promising Use Cases – The Importance of AI in Manufacturing Money-Savvy Advice Frugal Manufacturers Must Follow

8. Don’t be quiet about what you do

Now that you have launched a fitness clothing line, it’s time for you to tell everyone that you are running a fitness clothing business.

In short, you need a well-planned marketing strategy that keeps working forever. Retaining and getting new customers is all you need when doing the fashion business. So create a top-notch marketing strategy to maintain customers and bring.

Some Important Details That You Should Not Miss

I. planning is the first step.

When you are doing business, it is always a best practice to do planning as it is vital and helps you determine and keep focused on the end goal of your objective. When you have a solid foundation for your plan, you will be focused on your vision till you achieve it. In this regard, your business plan can be beneficial for you.

Be sure the follow the same business plan format mentioned forehead above:

II. Set realistic goals

Setting a goal that is nearly impossible to achieve won’t take you anywhere. Yeap, we know it’s true that if there is a will, there is a way, but you can’t just enter the fitness clothing industry and expect to be on top. However, you need to plan your success step by step.

Don’t focus on how many numbers of sales you are getting. Focus on growth. You can get the number of sales, but if your brand isn’t growing, it’s not beneficial in the long term.

III. Master the niche

All the major brands now well-known in the industry are known for a particular niche or started with a single niche and then grew their business. So you are advised to master the niche you are initially working on. After the market grows, you can brand out to different places and offer customers new clothing lines.

IV. Digital is the new normal

As it seems, the internet is everywhere, and you can quickly get to know about anything by sitting at the opposite corner of the world. Likewise, customers are shopping from different countries, and all of it is happening because of the newer technologies.

With a remarkable change in people’s preferences for online shopping, it’s the best time to take full advantage of social media and gather as many consumers as possible.

The best way to target, identify and retain new customers is through social media, which has more power than you can imagine. By using engaging marketing campaigns, you can boost your revenues and make great sales .

So, we can’t deny that fitness clothing is one of the most profitable businesses out there that promises rewarding growth if persuaded with the proper techniques and channels.

Moreover, when you are in the fashion industry, you have to learn a lot, as with learning and development, you can expand your business and take it further in the right direction.

So this was all about how to start your fitness clothing business in [2024] and make it a success.

Author Bio: John Cary is a keen fashion blogger and a design consultant who primarily provides detailed guides and advice about anything that comes under fashion.

He has worked closely in the fashion industry, which enhances his experience and makes him more passionate about the fashion industry. When it comes to clothing and fashion, John Cary makes absolute sense.

More Helpful Content:

• How to Start a Clothing Line with no Experience? The Ultimate 10-Steps Guide
• Clothing Brand Name Generator
• Most Popular Clothing Keywords List in [2024]
• 800+ Best Clothing Slogans & Taglines Ultimate List [2024]
• Most Popular Fitness Keywords List in [2024]

This post was proofread by Grammarly . Try it – It’s Free! Millions trust Grammarly’s free writing app to make their online writing clear and effective. Getting started is simple

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Grind Success is a website dedicated to helping people start businesses. We interview entrepreneurs from around the world about how they started and grew their businesses.

If you want to start your new business, You will get a handful of resources on how to start a business from scratch.

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Clothing Line Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Over the past 20+ years, we have helped over 10,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans to start and grow their clothing line businesses. On this page, we will first give you some background information with regards to the importance of business planning. We will then go through a clothing line business plan template step-by-step so you can create your plan today.

Download our Ultimate Clothing Line Business Plan Template here >

What Is a Business Plan?

A business plan provides a snapshot of your clothing line as it stands today, and lays out your growth plan for the next five years. It explains your business goals and your strategy for reaching them. It also includes market research to support your plans.

Why You Need a Clothing Line Business Plan

If you’re looking to start a clothing line or grow your existing clothing line business you need a business plan. A business plan will help you raise funding, if needed, and plan out the growth of your clothing line in order to improve your chances of success. Your clothing brand business plan is a living document that should be updated annually as your company grows and changes.

Source of Funding for Clothing Line Businesses

With regards to funding, the main sources of funding for a clothing line are bank loans and angel investors. With regards to bank loans, banks will want to review your business plan and gain confidence that you will be able to repay your loan and interest. To acquire this confidence, the loan officer will not only want to confirm that your financials are reasonable. But they will want to see a professional plan. Such a plan will give them the confidence that you can successfully and professionally operate a business.

The second most common form of funding for a clothing line is angel investors. Angel investors are wealthy individuals who will write you a check. They will either take equity in return for their funding, or, like a bank, they will give you a loan. Venture capitalists will generally not fund a clothing line.

Finish Your Business Plan Today!

How to write a business plan for a clothing line business.

Your business plan should include 10 sections as follows:

Executive Summary

Your executive summary provides an introduction to your business plan, but it is normally the last section you write because it provides a summary of each key section of your plan.

The goal of your Executive Summary is to quickly engage the reader. Explain to them the type of clothing line business you are operating and the status; for example, are you a startup, do you have a clothing line that you would like to grow, or are you operating multiple clothing lines.

Next, provide an overview of each of the subsequent sections of your plan. For example, give a brief overview of the apparel industry. Discuss the type of clothing line you are operating. Detail your direct competitors. Give an overview of your target customers. Provide a snapshot of your marketing plan. Identify the key members of your team. And offer an overview of your financial plan.

Company Analysis

In your company analysis, you will detail the type of clothing line you are operating.

Generally, you will describe your clothing line based on the 1) intended buyer (e.g., women’s, young men’s, etc.) and the type of clothing (jackets, shirts, dresses, etc.).

In addition to explaining the type of clothing line you operate, the Company Analysis section of your business plan needs to provide background on the business.

Include answers to question such as:

• When and why did you start the business?
• What milestones have you achieved to date? Milestones could include sales goals you’ve reached, new store openings, etc.
• Your legal structure. Are you incorporated as an S-Corp? An LLC? A sole proprietorship? Explain your legal structure here.

Industry Analysis

In your industry analysis, you need to provide an overview of the apparel business.

While this may seem unnecessary, it serves multiple purposes.

First, researching the apparel and clothing line industry educates you. It helps you understand the market in which you are operating.

Secondly, market research can improve your strategy particularly if your research identifies market trends. For example, if there was a trend towards looser-fitting clothing, it would be helpful to ensure your plan calls for offering such products.

The third reason for market research is to prove to readers that you are an expert in your industry. By conducting the research and presenting it in your plan, you achieve just that.

The following questions should be answered in the industry analysis section of your clothing line business plan:

• How big is the clothing line business (in dollars)?
• Is the market declining or increasing?
• Who are the key competitors in the market?
• Who are the key suppliers in the market?
• What trends are affecting the industry?
• What is the industry’s growth forecast over the next 5 – 10 years?
• What is the relevant market size? That is, how big is the potential market for your clothing line?

Customer Analysis

The customer analysis section of your clothing brand business plan must detail the customers you serve and/or expect to serve.

The following are examples of customer segments: college students, sports enthusiasts, soccer moms, techies, teens, baby boomers, etc.

As you can imagine, the customer segment(s) you choose will have a great impact on the type of clothing line you operate and vice versa.

Try to break out your target customers in terms of their demographic and psychographic profiles. With regards to demographics, include a discussion of the ages, genders, locations and income levels of the customers you seek to serve.

Psychographic profiles explain the wants and needs of your target customers. The more you can understand and define these needs, the better you will do in attracting and retaining your customers.

Finish Your Clothing Line Business Plan in 1 Day!

Don’t you wish there was a faster, easier way to finish your business plan?

With Growthink’s Ultimate Clothing Line Business Plan Template you can finish your plan in just 8 hours or less!

Click here to finish your Clothing Line business plan today.

Competitive Analysis

Your competitive analysis should identify the indirect and direct competitors your business faces and then focus on the latter.

Direct competitors are other clothing line businesses targeting the same products and customers as you. Indirect competitors are other options that customers have to purchase from you that aren’t direct competitors. For example, an indirect competitor to a sweatpants manufacturer is a company that manufactures jeans as the two are substitute products.

With regards to direct competition, you want to detail the other clothing line businesses with which you compete. For each such competitor, provide an overview of their businesses and document their strengths and weaknesses. Unless you once worked at your competitors’ businesses, it will be impossible to know everything about them. But you should be able to find out key things about them such as:

• What types of customers do they serve?
• What products do they offer?
• What is their pricing (premium, low, etc.)?
• What are they good at?
• What are their weaknesses?

With regards to the last two questions, think about your answers from the customers’ perspective. Looking at online reviews of your competitors can provide great insight here.

The final part of your competitive analysis section is to document your areas of competitive advantage. For example:

• Will you provide superior clothing line products?
• Will you provide clothing line products that your competitors don’t offer?
• Will you make it easier or faster for customers to acquire your products?
• Will you provide better customer service?
• Will you offer better pricing?

Think about ways you will outperform your competition and document them in this section of your plan.

Marketing Plan

Traditionally, a marketing plan includes the four P’s: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. For a clothing line business plan, your marketing plan should include the following:

Product: in the product section you should reiterate the type of clothing line that you documented in your Company Analysis. Then, detail the specific products you will be offering.

Price: Document the prices you will offer and how they compare to your competitors. Essentially in the product and price sub-sections of your marketing plan, you are presenting the menu of apparel items you offer and their prices.

Place: Place refers to the location of your clothing line. Document your location and mention how the location will impact your success particularly if you are targeting a specific geographic region.

Promotions: the final part of your clothing line marketing plan is the promotions section. Here you will document how you will drive customers to purchase your clothing. The following are some promotional methods you might consider:

• Operating a retail store and/or online store
• Advertising in local papers and magazines
• Reaching out to bloggers and websites
• Partnerships with other companies
• Radio or TV advertising
• Event marketing
• Social media marketing
• Pay Per Click advertising

Operations Plan

While the earlier sections of your business plan explained your goals, your operations plan describes how you will meet them. Your operations plan should have two distinct sections as follows.

Everyday short-term processes include all of the tasks involved in running your clothing line such as designing clothing, manufacturing, procuring supplies, managing inventory, etc.

Long-term goals are the milestones you hope to achieve. These could include the dates when you expect to sell your 1,000th item, or when you hope to reach $X in sales. It could also be when you expect to hire your Xth employee or launch a new clothing line.

Management Team

To demonstrate your clothing line’s ability to succeed as a business, a strong management team is essential. Highlight your key players’ backgrounds, emphasizing those skills and experiences that prove their ability to grow a company.

Ideally, you and/or your team members have direct experience in the clothing line business. If so, highlight this experience and expertise. But also highlight any experience that you think will help your business succeed.

If your team is lacking, consider assembling an advisory board. An advisory board would include 2 to 8 individuals who would act like mentors to your business. They would help answer questions and provide strategic guidance. If needed, look for advisory board members with experience in clothing line businesses and/or successfully running retail and small businesses.

Financial Plan

Your financial plan should include your 5-year financial statement broken out both monthly or quarterly for the first year and then annually. Your financial statements include your income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statements. The graph below is an example of the financial projections for a clothing line business.

Projected Sales, Gross Profit & Net Income

In developing your income statement, you need to devise assumptions. For example, will you sell 100 items per day or 200? And will sales grow by 2% or 10% per year? As you can imagine, your choice of assumptions will greatly impact the financial forecasts for your business. As much as possible, conduct research to try to root your assumptions in reality.

Example 5 Year Annual Income Statement

Balance Sheets : While balance sheets include much information, to simplify them to the key items you need to know about, balance sheets show your assets and liabilities. For instance, if you spend $100,000 on building out your clothing line design shop, that will not give you immediate profits. Rather it is an asset that will hopefully help you generate profits for years to come. Likewise, if a bank writes you a check for $100.000, you don’t need to pay it back immediately. Rather, that is a liability you will pay back over time.

Example 5 Year Annual Balance Sheet

Cash Flow Statement : Your cash flow statement will help determine how much money you need to start or grow your business, and make sure you never run out of money. What most entrepreneurs and business owners don’t realize is that you can turn a profit but run out of money and go bankrupt. For example, let’s say a retailer approached you with a massive $100,000 contract to design and manufacture apparel for them. And that doing so would cost you $50,000 to fulfill. Well, in most cases, you would have to pay that $50,000 now for supplies, employee salaries, etc. But let’s say the company didn’t pay you for 180 days. During that 180 day period, you could run out of money.

Example 5 Year Annual Cash Flow Statement

In developing your Income Statement and Balance Sheets be sure to include several of the key costs needed in starting or growing a clothing line:

• Design house and/or manufacturing facility build-out including design fees, construction, etc.
• Cost of equipment like sewing machines, etc.
• Cost of supplies/inventory
• Payroll or salaries paid to staff
• Business insurance
• Taxes and permits
• Legal expenses

Attach your full financial projections in the appendix of your plan along with any supporting documents that make your plan more compelling. For example, you might include some of your apparel designs.

Clothing Line Business Plan Summary

Putting together a business plan for your clothing line is a worthwhile endeavor. If you follow the template above, by the time you are done, you will truly be an expert. You will really understand the clothing line business, your competition and your customers. You will have developed a marketing plan and will really understand what it takes to launch and grow a successful clothing line.

Download Our Clothing Line Business Plan PDF

You can download our clothing line business plan PDF here. This is a business plan template you can use in PDF format.

Clothing Line Business Plan FAQs

What is the easiest way to complete my clothing line business plan.

Where Can I Download a Clothing Line Business Plan PDF?

You can download our clothing line business plan PDF template here . This is a clothing line business plan example you can use in PDF format.

Don’t you wish there was a faster, easier way to finish your Clothing Line business plan?

OR, Let Us Develop Your Plan For You

Since 1999, Growthink has developed business plans for thousands of companies who have gone on to achieve tremendous success.

Click here to see how a Growthink business plan writer can create your business plan for you.

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fitness clothing manufacturer » How To Start An Activewear Brand

• How To Start An Activewear Brand

14 Feb 2024     posted by Fitness Guy

Introduction – Starting A New Activewear Brand

Want to start your own activewear brand but do not know how to begin? Well, it will not seem hard after reading this guide.

Activewear is an expanding industry that currently shows no sign of stopping. This opens up a lot of business opportunities for people looking to start activewear lines. Our in-depth guide is designed specifically for you if you’re excited to start your own sportswear company. The following are the necessary actions to properly launch your sportswear company:

1. Commence Your Venture 

2. Conduct Market Research 

3. Initiate Collection Design 

4. Choose The Correct Activewear Manufacturer 

5. Start Marketing & Promoting Your Activewear Business

Steps To Start An Activewear Brand 

Step 1: Learn About Your Concept and What Makes You Special:

You must have a concept before you can move forward to start an activewear or fitness clothing line. Perhaps you have an amazing design idea that closes a gap in the market, or perhaps you’ve noticed that the activewear available today doesn’t live up to your standards. Be the change in the industry you want to see. Bring forward activewear that you could not find on the market or that did not meet your requirements. Make activewear clothing from a consumer viewpoint.  Connect your concept and identity to what clients require after you’re comfortable with them.

Step 2: Market Research Is Essential When Starting An Activewear Brand

Recognize your rivals

Once you’ve got a winning concept, you need to determine whether it’s original and whether there is room for your style to develop. Examine what’s trending in stores, try on various outfits, explore the internet, and educate yourself about the international sportswear market. Being aware of your rivals is essential to start an activewear clothing line and will make your brand stand out.

Identify your intended clientele

It’s critical to understand your target market and the athletic wear sector you intend to pursue. Recognize your target market and the things you plan to give them. For this reason, coming up with a novel idea is crucial since it makes sure people will remember your product.

Create an activewear business plan

A business plan sets long-term goals and helps you adapt as things change. It’s helpful if you want to draw in partners or investors.

Setting a budget

An athletic line requires a budget, just like any other business. In your business plan, project your initial expenditures and choose how you will finance the venture—through loans or investors, for example.

Create the team of your dreams

No brand can be successful on its own. Even if you believe you can manage everything, having a group of gifted and driven individuals working with you will be more effective.

Create a brand identity

Develop your brand identity over time. Labels, hangtags, the quality of the clothing, and the packaging should all be consistent with your brand. Make sure your logo looks good and accurately represents your line of goods. What you sell should be reflected in your brand.

Step 3: Putting Your Collection Together

Define the Purpose

After laying the foundation, it’s time to create your goods when starting an activewear line. Define the parameters of your collection first. Choose the colors, materials, and design concepts you like to use. Keep in mind that your collection needs to remain coherent and consistent.

Creating Sportswear

To start an activewear business, consider engaging a professional or freelance activewear designer to begin sketching your collection after you’ve described it and its organization. Before they start, make sure they understand your target market, identity, and brand image. If you’re creating the products yourself, look for ideas to help you create a distinctive look. To help your activewear line’s sampling process, designers should also produce tech packs.

Learn more:

How To Start An Activewear Brand In 10 Easy Steps [2024]

8 Steps – How To Start A Gym Clothing Line From Scratch

Step 4: Choosing a Reputable Manufacturer 

Sampling Procedure

The crucial step in turning theoretical designs into wearable clothes that match your vision is sampling. Making sure the designs fit and seem as intended is crucial. Use the tech packs to get technical help when you’re making samples. Create a specification sheet with measurements and grading for different sizes after the sample is approved.

Manufacturing and Delivery

Talk about production with your manufacturer after the pre-production sample (PPS) is completed and you are satisfied. Give the relevant information, such as the number and sizes for each type. To choose a dependable shipping partner to get your products to clients, work with logistics. Creating these links will expedite the delivery of the merchandise.

Step 5: Marketing Your Company

Displaying Your Selection

It’s not always necessary for your product to be revolutionary; your marketing strategy is what counts. This is where your preliminary investigation pays off. To increase sales, you need a strong marketing strategy. Just as important as the actual products is the image you project for your brand. It’s how potential buyers get acquainted with your company. Analyze how you can stay true to your passion while building a brand that will draw in customers and increase revenues.

To interact with customers directly, you can create your own e-commerce platform or use conventional retail techniques. Make use of the content’s influence on different social media channels.

Client Relations

Put your consumers first at all times! Making something that consumers will treasure and wear is your first priority. Never let them down, and take swift action to resolve any grievances. When it comes to improving your products, pay attention to what your customers have to say.

Also Read:  Want To Start a Fitness Clothing Line – The Best Guide In 2024

Choosing Wholesale Manufacturers for New Activewear Brands – Yes Or No?

When launching a new activewear line, partnering with an established wholesale fitness clothing manufacturer can provide valuable support. Their expertise streamlines production and fabric sourcing, allowing entrepreneurs to focus on design and marketing. Many manufacturers also offer distributorship and private-label manufacturing options, which new businesses can benefit from. Apart from that, they also offer custom sportswear and activewear services, making it easy to bring your visions to life.

Best Activewear Business Ideas

Many promising activewear niches exist beyond mass-market athletic basics. Compression wear, dance apparel, running clothes, kids’ fitness lines, swimwear, tank tops & stringers, leggings, tracksuits, and sports bras all present opportunities. Success comes down to identifying an underserved segment and providing quality, specialized products. For instance, designing supportive leotards and tights for young dancers, or fashionable workout clothes for the 50+ demographic. Zeroing in on ideal target demographics allows new brands to thrive in a competitive space.

In conclusion, starting your own activewear brand may seem daunting, but with the right steps and guidance, it can be achievable. The key steps to launching your sportswear company include commencing your venture, conducting market research, initiating collection design, choosing the correct activewear manufacturer, and starting marketing and promoting your business. It is important to have a unique concept and understand your target market, as well as create a business plan and set a budget. Putting your collection together and choosing a reputable manufacturer are crucial steps in bringing your designs to life. Finally, marketing your company and building strong customer relations are essential for success in the activewear industry.

Guide On How To Start A Yoga Clothing Line In Just 10 Easy Steps

How to Start a Gym Clothing Line in 10 Easy Steps – Updated 2024

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• how to start an activewear line

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White Label Fitness Apparel Business Plan (Why You Need One & How to Write It)

Starting a white label fitness apparel business may sound like an easy thing to do. However, it's not the case since starting such a business involves a lot of things to settle. In general, there's so much more to starting a white label fitness apparel business that you need to have a business plan to be successful. Otherwise, you will end up being overwhelmed with so many things.

Now, if you're wondering about a business plan and how it's essential as you start your white label fitness apparel business, you've come to the right place!

A business plan for a white label fitness apparel business generally illustrates your goals, financial strategies, research, and everything else involved with your business. It contains the strategy for guiding and helping you start and run your business.

In this article, we'll talk more about the business plan for a white label fitness apparel business and every concern you may ask about, mainly how to write one.

Without further ado, let's get into it!

What is a white label fitness apparel business plan?

A white label fitness apparel business plan is a document that defines (in detail) a white label fitness apparel business' objectives and how it plans to achieve its goals.

For instance, a white label fitness apparel business typically needs an initial investment. As such, you need to include the said amount in your plan and how you can acquire such, either from your pocket or through a business loan or any other financing option (learn more about a white label fitness apparel business financing .

Profit and goal are other examples. It is also included in your business plan as a goal to achieve within a set period, usually within months.

Overall, the business plan is the document that lays out a written road map for the white label fitness apparel business from a marketing, financial, and operational standpoint. You should also have a basic idea about a white label fitness apparel business profitability .

Business plans are essential for startups and established businesses, and the white label fitness apparel business is no exception. Every business, regardless of the type, should have one.

Further, business plans are critical documents for internal and external audiences. For instance, you may use these plans to attract investors before establishing a track record. It can also help you secure loans from financial institutions.

Business plans can also help keep your white label fitness apparel business' leadership team on track for meeting established goals and on track with strategic action items.

Overall, business plans are particularly helpful for new businesses, including the white label fitness apparel business. Ideally, goals should be reviewed and updated periodically to reflect achievements or changes. When an established business changes direction, a new business plan is created.

Why do you need a white label fitness apparel business plan?

You need a white label fitness apparel business plan for several reasons. However, the main reasons are to help you establish your company, set the goals you want to achieve, and evaluate your white label fitness apparel business’ status after a specific timeframe.

As a general rule, your business plan serves as a guide. Revising and adjusting this plan may also be necessary as circumstances change throughout your actions.

You should know that if you plan to apply for a business loan (which any knowledgeable entrepreneur should do), lenders want to see a business plan.

For your white label fitness apparel business to succeed and meet your goals, you need a precise and robust business plan.

Learn more about starting a white label fitness apparel business :

Where to start?

-> How to start a white label fitness apparel business? -> How to finance a white label fitness apparel business? -> How much does it cost to start a white label fitness apparel business? -> Pros and cons of a white label fitness apparel business

Need inspiration?

-> Other white label fitness apparel business success stories -> Examples of established white label fitness apparel business -> Marketing ideas for a white label fitness apparel business -> White label fitness apparel business slogans -> White label fitness apparel business names -> White label fitness apparel business Instagram bios

Other resources

-> Profitability of a white label fitness apparel business -> White label fitness apparel business tips

How to write a white label fitness apparel business plan?

When creating a business plan, you need to include more than just the steps on how you start. It also includes how you will sustain it and how you can develop it even further as you move forward. Simply put, it should include everything related to your white label fitness apparel business.

If you’re wondering how to write a business plan for your white label fitness apparel business, here are the things you need to include:

1. Executive summary

The executive summary in a business plan includes a gist of your entire white label fitness apparel business. Further, it includes the general reason why it will turn out successful.

2. Company description

The company description details every information about your white label fitness apparel business. As such, it includes your advantages over your potential competitors and the things that make your business stand out above other similar companies.

3. Organization and management

The organization and management are the part of your business plan that states the structure of your white label fitness apparel business.

It includes the entire staff, especially the ones who will run your white label fitness apparel business, whether you’re solo, with a partner, or with a group of people. Simply put, it shows what type of business you run and who is responsible for it.

4. Market analysis

The market analysis is the part of your business plan that shows your perspective on the industry where your white label fitness apparel business belongs.

Since it’s about marketing, it includes your target market or customers. Further, it includes your potential competitors since they can take away your potential customers.

5. Financial plan

The financial plan is the part that concerns everything related to your white label fitness apparel business finances. This document consists of a detailed financial statement and an analysis of your finances and the required funds .

6. Marketing strategy

The marketing strategy outlines the concerns about reaching out to potential customers . Moreover, it demonstrates how to expose the products and services your white label fitness apparel business offers.

Besides attracting customers, it also includes strategies for gaining new customers and keeping the regular ones from leaving. Finally, it outlines strategies for increasing sales for your white label fitness apparel business to grow.

What makes a good white label fitness apparel business plan?

A good white label fitness apparel business plan serves as a roadmap that outlines the strategies and actions required to achieve the goals and objectives of a business. It typically includes information about the business's products or services, target market, competition, marketing and sales strategies, operations, financial projections, and management team.

Here are some key elements that make up a good business plan:

• Executive summary : This is a brief overview of the entire business plan, summarizing the key points and objectives of the company.
• Company description : This section provides detailed information about white label fitness apparel business, including its history, mission statement, and legal structure.
• Market analysis : This section should describe the industry and market that white label fitness apparel business operates in, including target customers, competitors, and market trends.
• Products or services : This section should describe the products or services white label fitness apparel business offers, highlighting their unique features and benefits.
• Marketing and sales strategies : This section should detail the strategies that white label fitness apparel business will use to promote and sell its products or services, including pricing, distribution, and advertising.
• Operations : This section should outline the day-to-day operations of white label fitness apparel business, including manufacturing, production, and distribution.
• Financial projections : This section should provide detailed financial projections, including income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements.
• Management team : This section should introduce the key members of white label fitness apparel business's management team, highlighting their qualifications and experience.

Overall, a good white label fitness apparel business plan should be well-researched, realistic, and focused on achieving specific goals and objectives. It should also be adaptable and able to evolve as the business grows and changes over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can i write a white label fitness apparel business plan myself.

Yes, you can write a white label fitness apparel business plan yourself. It requires a clear understanding of your goals, target audience, competition, financial projections, and marketing strategy. Research successful plans and use templates. Ensure it's comprehensive, realistic and seek help if needed. Ultimately, a good business plan sets you up for success.

How long should a white label fitness apparel business plan be?

There is no standard length for a white label fitness apparel business plan. It can range from a one-page summary to a comprehensive document of 50+ pages. The length depends on the complexity of the business, audience, and purpose. A concise plan that covers key elements is often more effective than a lengthy one.

In a nutshell, creating a business plan for a white label fitness apparel business is a bit complicated, but you still need to do it.

Overall, a business plan will help you make the right calls, obtain the funding you need, and strongly start your new white label fitness apparel business. As such, you must make a robust and precise one.

The six parts we included above should be handy throughout this process. With this information, you can begin writing your business plan and see what it takes to become a professional entrepreneur.

• 86 Marketing Ideas For A White Label Fitness Apparel Business (2024) 1 of 12
• 42 Trending Fitness Apparel Businesses [2024] 2 of 12
• 5 White Label Fitness Apparel Business Success Stories [2024] 3 of 12
• How To Start A Fitness Clothing Line 4 of 12
• How To Finance A White Label Fitness Apparel Business? [2024] 5 of 12
• 1,000+ Unique Fitness Clothing Line Slogans & Taglines 6 of 12
• 191+ Best Instagram Bios For Your Fitness Clothing Brand [2024] 7 of 12
• How Much Does It Cost To Start A White Label Fitness Apparel Business? (In 2024) 8 of 12
• How Profitable Is A White Label Fitness Apparel Business? (Updated for 2024) 9 of 12
• 4 Tips For Starting A Successful White Label Fitness Apparel Business (2024) 10 of 12
• 35 Pros & Cons Of Starting A White Label Fitness Apparel Business (2024) 11 of 12
• 1,000+ Unique Fitness Clothing Line Names 12 of 12

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Millennials and Gen Z's trendy new splurge: groceries

• Groceries are the hottest new splurge category for Gen Z and millennials.
• Younger generations spend more on groceries than other categories, a McKinsey report says.
• But all generations are feeling the pinch of inflation at the grocery store.

Splurging once meant spending money on buzzy restaurants, expensive vacations , and designer clothing. These days, what's considered splurge-worthy falls into a more humble category.

Groceries are shaping up to be a top spending priority for younger generations, a February report from McKinsey & Company found.

The firm asked over 4,000 people, from baby boomers to Gen Zers, about the categories they intend to splurge on this year. Groceries ranked highest for millennials and Gen Zers, outpacing restaurants, bars, travel, beauty and personal care, apparel, and fitness.

Related stories

Millennials are also becoming parents, which means they spend more on themselves, their partners, and their children. It's a notable shift from 2018 when older generations like baby boomers and Gen Xers still spent more on groceries than millennials.

Gen Z, meanwhile, said they often choose high-quality snacks and beverages, which makes for expensive grocery bills.

One 23-year-old Gen Zer told Business Insider by text that he spends about $130 on groceries for a week and a half. "Fancy sodas and drinks" and "random snacks at Trader Joe's" account for the bulk of the bill. He also said he spends about $35 on protein bars.

The success of the canned water brand Liquid Death is an example of young people's willingness to spend on flashy food and beverages. The brand shot up to a valuation of $1.4 billion thanks to a recent round of funding, Forbes reported . Peter Pham, an investor in Liquid Death, previously told Business Insider that part of the brand's success comes from its appeal to younger generations.

"The healthy food-and-beverage space has historically been a stale category filled with boring brands," Pham told BI. "This creates a lightning-in-a-bottle moment for disruptive brands who know how to tap into culture and talk to Gen Z and digital natives."

All generations are feeling the pinch of inflation at grocery stores and for goods and services in general. The typical American household would need to spend $445 more a month to purchase the same goods and services as a year ago, a report from Moody's found .

Correction: April 8, 2024 — An earlier version of this story misstated the age groups surveyed in the McKinsey report. It surveyed baby boomers to Gen Zers, not baby boomers to Gen Xers. The story also misstated the findings in the Moody's report, which said the typical American household would need to spend $445 more a month this year on goods and services, not just groceries.

Watch: The surprising reason millennial parents are miserable

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Health & Beauty in Moscow

Moscow health & beauty guide, fitness centers.

There are literally hundreds of gyms and fitness centers available to take care of health & beauty of expats in Moscow. The majority are extremely well-equipped, most including a swimming pool, extensive class schedule, open courts for many sports, and also saunas, beauty salons, and tanning facilities. Expect to pay about 28,000 – 62,000 RUR for an annual subscription (in cash, upfront).

These Moscow fitness centers provide information in English and may have some English-speaking staff:

• Gold’s Gym http://www.goldsgym.ru http://www.goldsgym.com/ The international chain – if you have a membership from your home country, you may have guest privileges here. There are two locations:Dinamo (a favorite with expatriates) Offers a fully equipped gym and cardio area, extensive schedule of aerobics classes, designated courts for football, basketball, volleyball, tennis and squash area, swimming pool, beauty salon, massage, and tanning services. Body revolution programs twice annually. Leningradsky Prosp. 31/30 Closest metro: Dinamo +7 (495) 931 96 16 Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7:00 – 23:00; Sat-Sun 9:00 – 22:00Lefort Has all imaginable cardio equipment, free weights, more than 25 regularly scheduled group classes (including yoga and pilates), spinning equipment, designated courts for football, basketball, volleyball, tennis, a table tennis area, sauna, and massage room. Elektrozavodskaya Ul. 27/3 Closest metro: Eletrozavodskaya or Preobrazhenskaya Ploshad +7 (495) 662-46 53 Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7:00 – 23:00; Sat-Sun 9:00 – 22:00
• Planet Fitness http://www.fitness.ru/ A more affordable option among Moscow’s fitness centers. Annual memberships start at 29,000 RUR. There are 15 locations in Moscow, most of which offer free weights, cardio equipment, a swimming pool, aerobics and dance classes, and boxing. Many also have massage and tanning. Typical opening hours: Mon-Fri 7:00 – 24:00; Sat-Sun 9:00 – 22:00 (may vary by location)
• World Class http://www.worldclass.ru/ With 16 locations in Moscow, you’re sure to find one nearby. The biggest and best offer a full range of fitness and cardiovascular equipment, group classes in everything from aerobics to martial arts, personal training, swimming pool, kid zones, and spa and solarium. Typical opening hours: Mon-Fri 7:00 – 24:00; Sat-Sun 9:00 – 24:00 (may vary by location)

Golf Courses

There are three golf course in Moscow and the Moscow area:

• Moscow City Golf Club http://www.mcgc.ru/home_en/ This 9-hole course is conveniently located in the city. Also offers a practice area, pro shop, tennis courts, spa and restaurant Ulitsa Dovzhenko 1 Closest metro: Kievskaya (then by bus) +7 (499) 147-8330
• Le Meridien Moscow Country Club This 18-hole golf course is home to the Russian Open (PGA European Tour) every summer. It is part of an exclusive private membership resort in the Moscow suburb of Nakhabino, about 40 minutes out of the city. Also has a comprehensive sports complex and excellent restaurant. +7 (495) 626-5910 e-mail:  [email protected]
• Moscow Golf Club http://www.moscowgolf.ru/eng/main/ Moscow’s newest 18-hole course opened in May 2009. Also offers tennis and a fitness center. Ostrovnaya ul., 2 Closest metro: Krilatskoe +7 (495) 234-7451

Tennis Courts

Many fitness centers in Moscow offer facilities for playing tennis, as do the golf courses. But you can also try a specialized tennis club, or the facilities are the stadiums:

• Zhukovka Tennis Centre Located 10 km beyond the MKAD in the village Zhukova, this center offers 10 indoor tennis courts; tennis school, massage room and bicycle rental. 1 Illinskoye Shosse, Zhukovo + 7 (495) 418-3701 Opening hours: Mon-Sun 8:00 – 22:00
• Luzhniki Sports Complex This popular stadium has two full-size tennis courts in addition to a great range of other facilities. Luzhnetskaya Nab. 24 Closest metro: Sportivnaya +7 (495) 637-0262 Opening hours: Mon-Sun 7:00 – 22:00

Swimming Pools

The great majority of fitness centers in Moscow also have swimming pools. But you can also easily find great pools and even waterparks without a gym membership.

• Olympic Sports Complex This stadium has the best swimming pool in all of Moscow. Note that you must bring a medical certificate showing you are free of skin, and other, conditions that can be transmitted through the water (can be issued at any public clinic). Olympisky Prospekt 16/18 Closest metro: Prospekt Mira +7 (495) 288-5453
• Chaika Another nice pool, located on the circle metro line. You will also need to present a medical certificate, but you can get one on the spot (valid for a month) from the swimming pool medical department (open 8:30 – 22:00) Turchaninov Per. 1/3 Closest metro: Park Kultury +7 (499) 246-1344
• Kimberlyland http://www.kimberlyland.ru/ A great waterpark with 5 pools, slides, water games, and a special kids club. Also has a large gym, mini-golf course, beauty salon, and restaurant on site. Azovskaya Ul. 24 Closest metro: Sevastopolskaya +7 (495) 310-0401

Yoga Centers

There are numerous yoga centers in Moscow, and of course many fitness centers also offer yoga classes. The following yoga center has English-speaking instructors available:

• Ashtanga Yoga Center http://www.yoga108.com/en/about/ Hatha Yoga at various levels. Instructors speak both Russian and English. One class costs 350 -500 RUR; a monthly membership is 2200 – 2700 RUR. They have four locations in Moscow:Stary Tolmachevsky Per 7 (inside “Orbita” center) Closest metro: Novokuznetskaya +7 (495) 953-6957Zoologicheskaya Ul 30 Closest metro: Mayakovskaya, Barrikadnaya +7 (495) 550-9646Ostozhenka Ul 8 (inside “Sambo” club) Closest metro: Kropotkinskaya +7 (495) 201-7209Bolshoy Vlasyevsky Per 10 Closest metro: Arbatskaya or Kropotkinskaya +7 (495) 300-4587

Football (Soccer) Fields

Many fitness centers provide facilities for football, as do most stadiums (see Entertainment > Sports Events). You may also enjoy getting involved with the following expatriate football groups:

• Expat Over 30s Football League A league of 8 teams that plays weekly at Dynamo Stadium. Games are 11-a-side with professional referees. New players age 28 and over with playing experience are recruited at the beginning of the season. http://www.moscowfootball.com/
• Women’s Football Club Open to all, and emphasizes fun over professional play. Meets Sundays from 17:00 to 19:00 near metro Aeroport. Contact: Natalie [email protected]

Ice Skating Rinks

Ice skating is very popular in Moscow. In the winter, there are open-air rinks all around the city and at Gorky Park. There are also numerous indoor rinks:

• Umka Levoberezhnaya Ul 12/1 Closest metro: Rechnoy Vokzal +7 (495) 458-1084 Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8:00 – 21:00; Sat 19:45 – 20:45; Sun 18:30 – 19:30
• Raduzhny Chobotovskaya Ul 6 Closest metro: Prospekt Vernadskogo +7 (495) 733-0369 Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8:00 – 21:00; Sat 17:00 – 20:00; Sun 17:00 – 18:00
• Ice Palace Yuzhny Bulatnikovskaya 2 Closest metro: Prazhskaya +7 (495) 383-8738 Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7:00 – 22:00; Sat-Sun 21:00 – 22:00
• Ice Palace Rus Voronezhskaya Ul 13/3 Closest metro: Domodedovskaya +7 (495) 399-1327 Opening hours: Mon-Sun 7:00 – 24:00
• Ledovy Dvorets (Offers skating classes) Volgogradsky Prospect 46/15 Closest metro: Tekstilshchiki +7 (495) 179-3964 Opening hours: Mon-Sun 7:00 – 24:00

Each MEGA Mall (see Shopping) also has an ice skating rink.

Skiing and Snowboarding Slopes

• Krylatskoe Downhill skiing and snowboarding on a 400-meter slope. Krylastskaya Ul 2 Closest metro: Krylastskoye or Molodezhnaya (then take bus number 229 or 829)
• Volen Ski Park http://www.volen.ru A ski resort with hotel, restaurants, and an excellent ski school and ski rentals. North of the city. To get there, head out on Dimitrovskoe Schosse; turn left 46 km beyond the MKAD, and follow the signs. +7 (495) 993-95-40; 993-95-02 [email protected] Moscow office: Olimpiyskiy prospect, 7 ste 411/ + 7 (495) 961 00 50

Besides these two slopes, Moscow offers a wealth of possibilities for cross-country skiing, especially in parks in the outskirts of the city including Sokolniki, Bitsevskiy Park, Kuzminki, Vorobievy Gory, and Yakhroma.

Horse Riding Facilities

There are many locations for horse riding in and around Moscow. The following two have English-speaking instructors available:

• Pradar Individual horse-riding lessons with qualified English-speaking instructors. Single admission to the Club is 1750 RUR, or purchase a monthly horse-riding card for 18,000-24,000. Begovaya Ul 17 Closest metro: Begovaya +7 (495) 945 05 87 E-mail:  [email protected]
• Hippodrome Complex Individual horse-riding lessons with qualified English- and German-speaking instructors available. Begovaya Ul 22/1 Closest metro: Begovaya +7 (495) 945 50 59

Rock Climbing

The following rock climbing school offers English-language instruction:

• AlexClimb Indoor Rockclimbing http://www.alexclimb.com/en_rockschol_01.php Operates from September to May and organizes training across indoor and outdoor locations in Moscow; also organizes tours around Russia and internationally. You can purchase 8 two-hour sessions with an English-speaking instructor in a group of 4-8 people for 5,400 RUR (plus entrance to the rock climbing gym). Individual trainings also available.

The following expat club is a fun way to meet people and play rugby at the same time:

• Moscow Dragons Rugby Club http://moscowdragonsrfc.com Play rugby and get involved in many social and charitable events.

Paintball Fields

Paintball is increasingly popular with teenagers even in Moscow. The following two locations are available:

• Action Paintball Games Panfilova Ul 20-2 Closest metro: Sokol +7 (499) 796 46 46
• Paintball Sports Club A large outdoor complex,10 kilometers outside the MKAD. Horse riding is also available. +7 (495) 772 88 80, 918 45 80

Field Hockey

The following expat club is a fun way to meet people and play hockey at the same time:

• Expat Field Hockey Club A club that welcomes beginners, and both men and women. Meets Saturday from 15:00 to 16:30 at Sokolniki Football Training Center (closest metro: Sokolniki) Equipment is provided, and the sessions cost 250 RUR per person each. Contact: Vineet Arora [email protected]

Useful links

• http://www.101.ru A popular online Russian radio station.
• http://www.masterRussian.com Site where you can master Russian grammar, learn new vocabulary and practice speaking and reading Russian.
• http://www.translit.ru A transliteration site – type in Roman letters and they are automatically converted to Cyrillic.

Interesting fact

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In Transit: Notes from the Underground

Jun 06 2018.

Spend some time in one of Moscow’s finest museums.

Subterranean commuting might not be anyone’s idea of a good time, but even in a city packing the war-games treasures and priceless bejeweled eggs of the Kremlin Armoury and the colossal Soviet pavilions of the VDNKh , the Metro holds up as one of Moscow’s finest museums. Just avoid rush hour.

The Metro is stunning and provides an unrivaled insight into the city’s psyche, past and present, but it also happens to be the best way to get around. Moscow has Uber, and the Russian version called Yandex Taxi , but also some nasty traffic. Metro trains come around every 90 seconds or so, at a more than 99 percent on-time rate. It’s also reasonably priced, with a single ride at 55 cents (and cheaper in bulk). From history to tickets to rules — official and not — here’s what you need to know to get started.

A Brief Introduction Buying Tickets Know Before You Go (Down) Rules An Easy Tour

A Brief Introduction

Moscow’s Metro was a long time coming. Plans for rapid transit to relieve the city’s beleaguered tram system date back to the Imperial era, but a couple of wars and a revolution held up its development. Stalin revived it as part of his grand plan to modernize the Soviet Union in the 1920s and 30s. The first lines and tunnels were constructed with help from engineers from the London Underground, although Stalin’s secret police decided that they had learned too much about Moscow’s layout and had them arrested on espionage charges and deported.

The beauty of its stations (if not its trains) is well-documented, and certainly no accident. In its illustrious first phases and particularly after the Second World War, the greatest architects of Soviet era were recruited to create gleaming temples celebrating the Revolution, the USSR, and the war triumph. No two stations are exactly alike, and each of the classic showpieces has a theme. There are world-famous shrines to Futurist architecture, a celebration of electricity, tributes to individuals and regions of the former Soviet Union. Each marble slab, mosaic tile, or light fixture was placed with intent, all in service to a station’s aesthetic; each element, f rom the smallest brass ear of corn to a large blood-spattered sword on a World War II mural, is an essential part of the whole.

The Metro is a monument to the Soviet propaganda project it was intended to be when it opened in 1935 with the slogan “Building a Palace for the People”. It brought the grand interiors of Imperial Russia to ordinary Muscovites, celebrated the Soviet Union’s past achievements while promising its citizens a bright Soviet future, and of course, it was a show-piece for the world to witness the might and sophistication of life in the Soviet Union.

It may be a museum, but it’s no relic. U p to nine million people use it daily, more than the London Underground and New York Subway combined. (Along with, at one time, about 20 stray dogs that learned to commute on the Metro.)

In its 80+ year history, the Metro has expanded in phases and fits and starts, in step with the fortunes of Moscow and Russia. Now, partly in preparation for the World Cup 2018, it’s also modernizing. New trains allow passengers to walk the entire length of the train without having to change carriages. The system is becoming more visitor-friendly. (There are helpful stickers on the floor marking out the best selfie spots .) But there’s a price to modernity: it’s phasing out one of its beloved institutions, the escalator attendants. Often they are middle-aged or elderly women—“ escalator grandmas ” in news accounts—who have held the post for decades, sitting in their tiny kiosks, scolding commuters for bad escalator etiquette or even bad posture, or telling jokes . They are slated to be replaced, when at all, by members of the escalator maintenance staff.

For all its achievements, the Metro lags behind Moscow’s above-ground growth, as Russia’s capital sprawls ever outwards, generating some of the world’s worst traffic jams . But since 2011, the Metro has been in the middle of an ambitious and long-overdue enlargement; 60 new stations are opening by 2020. If all goes to plan, the 2011-2020 period will have brought 125 miles of new tracks and over 100 new stations — a 40 percent increase — the fastest and largest expansion phase in any period in the Metro’s history.

Facts: 14 lines Opening hours: 5 a.m-1 a.m. Rush hour(s): 8-10 a.m, 4-8 p.m. Single ride: 55₽ (about 85 cents) Wi-Fi network-wide

Buying Tickets

• Ticket machines have a button to switch to English.
• You can buy specific numbers of rides: 1, 2, 5, 11, 20, or 60. Hold up fingers to show how many rides you want to buy.
• There is also a 90-minute ticket , which gets you 1 trip on the metro plus an unlimited number of transfers on other transport (bus, tram, etc) within 90 minutes.
• Or, you can buy day tickets with unlimited rides: one day (218₽/ US$4), three days (415₽/US$7) or seven days (830₽/US$15). Check the rates here to stay up-to-date.
• If you’re going to be using the Metro regularly over a few days, it’s worth getting a Troika card , a contactless, refillable card you can use on all public transport. Using the Metro is cheaper with one of these: a single ride is 36₽, not 55₽. Buy them and refill them in the Metro stations, and they’re valid for 5 years, so you can keep it for next time. Or, if you have a lot of cash left on it when you leave, you can get it refunded at the Metro Service Centers at Ulitsa 1905 Goda, 25 or at Staraya Basmannaya 20, Building 1.
• You can also buy silicone bracelets and keychains with built-in transport chips that you can use as a Troika card. (A Moscow Metro Fitbit!) So far, you can only get these at the Pushkinskaya metro station Live Helpdesk and souvenir shops in the Mayakovskaya and Trubnaya metro stations. The fare is the same as for the Troika card.
• You can also use Apple Pay and Samsung Pay.

Rules, spoken and unspoken

No smoking, no drinking, no filming, no littering. Photography is allowed, although it used to be banned.

Stand to the right on the escalator. Break this rule and you risk the wrath of the legendary escalator attendants. (No shenanigans on the escalators in general.)

Get out of the way. Find an empty corner to hide in when you get off a train and need to stare at your phone. Watch out getting out of the train in general; when your train doors open, people tend to appear from nowhere or from behind ornate marble columns, walking full-speed.

Always offer your seat to elderly ladies (what are you, a monster?).

An Easy Tour

This is no Metro Marathon ( 199 stations in 20 hours ). It’s an easy tour, taking in most—though not all—of the notable stations, the bulk of it going clockwise along the Circle line, with a couple of short detours. These stations are within minutes of one another, and the whole tour should take about 1-2 hours.

Start at Mayakovskaya Metro station , at the corner of Tverskaya and Garden Ring,  Triumfalnaya Square, Moskva, Russia, 125047.

1. Mayakovskaya.  Named for Russian Futurist Movement poet Vladimir Mayakovsky and an attempt to bring to life the future he imagined in his poems. (The Futurist Movement, natch, was all about a rejecting the past and celebrating all things speed, industry, modern machines, youth, modernity.) The result: an Art Deco masterpiece that won the National Grand Prix for architecture at the New York World’s Fair in 1939. It’s all smooth, rounded shine and light, and gentle arches supported by columns of dark pink marble and stainless aircraft steel. Each of its 34 ceiling niches has a mosaic. During World War II, the station was used as an air-raid shelter and, at one point, a bunker for Stalin. He gave a subdued but rousing speech here in Nov. 6, 1941 as the Nazis bombed the city above.

Take the 3/Green line one station to:

2. Belorusskaya. Opened in 1952, named after the connected Belarussky Rail Terminal, which runs trains between Moscow and Belarus. This is a light marble affair with a white, cake-like ceiling, lined with Belorussian patterns and 12 Florentine ceiling mosaics depicting life in Belarussia when it was built.

Transfer onto the 1/Brown line. Then, one stop (clockwise) t o:

3. Novoslobodskaya.  This station was designed around the stained-glass panels, which were made in Latvia, because Alexey Dushkin, the Soviet starchitect who dreamed it up (and also designed Mayakovskaya station) couldn’t find the glass and craft locally. The stained glass is the same used for Riga’s Cathedral, and the panels feature plants, flowers, members of the Soviet intelligentsia (musician, artist, architect) and geometric shapes.

Go two stops east on the 1/Circle line to:

4. Komsomolskaya. Named after the Komsomol, or the Young Communist League, this might just be peak Stalin Metro style. Underneath the hub for three regional railways, it was intended to be a grand gateway to Moscow and is today its busiest station. It has chandeliers; a yellow ceiling with Baroque embellishments; and in the main hall, a colossal red star overlaid on golden, shimmering tiles. Designer Alexey Shchusev designed it as an homage to the speech Stalin gave at Red Square on Nov. 7, 1941, in which he invoked Russia’s illustrious military leaders as a pep talk to Soviet soldiers through the first catastrophic year of the war.   The station’s eight large mosaics are of the leaders referenced in the speech, such as Alexander Nevsky, a 13th-century prince and military commander who bested German and Swedish invading armies.

One more stop clockwise to Kurskaya station,  and change onto the 3/Blue  line, and go one stop to:

5. Baumanskaya.   Opened in 1944. Named for the Bolshevik Revolutionary Nikolai Bauman , whose monument and namesake district are aboveground here. Though he seemed like a nasty piece of work (he apparently once publicly mocked a woman he had impregnated, who later hung herself), he became a Revolutionary martyr when he was killed in 1905 in a skirmish with a monarchist, who hit him on the head with part of a steel pipe. The station is in Art Deco style with atmospherically dim lighting, and a series of bronze sculptures of soldiers and homefront heroes during the War. At one end, there is a large mosaic portrait of Lenin.

Stay on that train direction one more east to:

6. Elektrozavodskaya. As you may have guessed from the name, this station is the Metro’s tribute to all thing electrical, built in 1944 and named after a nearby lightbulb factory. It has marble bas-relief sculptures of important figures in electrical engineering, and others illustrating the Soviet Union’s war-time struggles at home. The ceiling’s recurring rows of circular lamps give the station’s main tunnel a comforting glow, and a pleasing visual effect.

Double back two stops to Kurskaya station , and change back to the 1/Circle line. Sit tight for six stations to:

7. Kiyevskaya. This was the last station on the Circle line to be built, in 1954, completed under Nikita Khrushchev’ s guidance, as a tribute to his homeland, Ukraine. Its three large station halls feature images celebrating Ukraine’s contributions to the Soviet Union and Russo-Ukrainian unity, depicting musicians, textile-working, soldiers, farmers. (One hall has frescoes, one mosaics, and the third murals.) Shortly after it was completed, Khrushchev condemned the architectural excesses and unnecessary luxury of the Stalin era, which ushered in an epoch of more austere Metro stations. According to the legend at least, he timed the policy in part to ensure no Metro station built after could outshine Kiyevskaya.

Change to the 3/Blue line and go one stop west.

8. Park Pobedy. This is the deepest station on the Metro, with one of the world’s longest escalators, at 413 feet. If you stand still, the escalator ride to the surface takes about three minutes .) Opened in 2003 at Victory Park, the station celebrates two of Russia’s great military victories. Each end has a mural by Georgian artist Zurab Tsereteli, who also designed the “ Good Defeats Evil ” statue at the UN headquarters in New York. One mural depicts the Russian generals’ victory over the French in 1812 and the other, the German surrender of 1945. The latter is particularly striking; equal parts dramatic, triumphant, and gruesome. To the side, Red Army soldiers trample Nazi flags, and if you look closely there’s some blood spatter among the detail. Still, the biggest impressions here are the marble shine of the chessboard floor pattern and the pleasingly geometric effect if you view from one end to the other.

Keep going one more stop west to:

9. Slavyansky Bulvar.  One of the Metro’s youngest stations, it opened in 2008. With far higher ceilings than many other stations—which tend to have covered central tunnels on the platforms—it has an “open-air” feel (or as close to it as you can get, one hundred feet under). It’s an homage to French architect Hector Guimard, he of the Art Nouveau entrances for the Paris M é tro, and that’s precisely what this looks like: A Moscow homage to the Paris M é tro, with an additional forest theme. A Cyrillic twist on Guimard’s Metro-style lettering over the benches, furnished with t rees and branch motifs, including creeping vines as towering lamp-posts.

Stay on the 3/Blue line and double back four stations to:

10. Arbatskaya. Its first iteration, Arbatskaya-Smolenskaya station, was damaged by German bombs in 1941. It was rebuilt in 1953, and designed to double as a bomb shelter in the event of nuclear war, although unusually for stations built in the post-war phase, this one doesn’t have a war theme. It may also be one of the system’s most elegant: Baroque, but toned down a little, with red marble floors and white ceilings with gilded bronze c handeliers.

Jump back on the 3/Blue line  in the same direction and take it one more stop:

11. Ploshchad Revolyutsii (Revolution Square). Opened in 1938, and serving Red Square and the Kremlin . Its renowned central hall has marble columns flanked by 76 bronze statues of Soviet heroes: soldiers, students, farmers, athletes, writers, parents. Some of these statues’ appendages have a yellow sheen from decades of Moscow’s commuters rubbing them for good luck. Among the most popular for a superstitious walk-by rub: the snout of a frontier guard’s dog, a soldier’s gun (where the touch of millions of human hands have tapered the gun barrel into a fine, pointy blade), a baby’s foot, and a woman’s knee. (A brass rooster also sports the telltale gold sheen, though I am told that rubbing the rooster is thought to bring bad luck. )

Now take the escalator up, and get some fresh air.

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