As a gym owner, you already have a lot on your plate, from managing day-to-day operations to creating exceptional experiences for your members. That's why we’ve designed the Apparel Plan, a solution tailored to take the stress out of ordering custom apparel for your gym. With this free, non-contractual service, you'll never miss an apparel order again. By following our plan, clients typically see a 30% increase in apparel sales—thanks to proactive reminders and key order times around major events like the Open, Memorial Day, and the seasonal shifts of Summer, Fall, and Winter.

Here’s an in-depth look at how our process works, and why it’s the best option for keeping your gym’s apparel game strong and profitable.

Step-by-Step Apparel Ordering Process

1. Design Phase

In the apparel world, design is everything. Whether you’re looking for something pre-made, something based on your ideas, or a fully custom design, we’ve got you covered. Here's how we make the magic happen:

Option 1: Best Sellers and Templates
We offer a collection of best-selling, customizable designs. These templates can be tailored to your brand by adjusting fonts, garments, colors, and other design elements. It’s a quick, effective way to get a fresh look without starting from scratch.

Option 2: Client Direction
Want more control over the design? No problem. Send us reference images, ideas, or directions, and our team will create a design based on your vision. You get to guide the creative process, ensuring the final product aligns perfectly with your brand.

Option 3: Custom Design
If you need something completely unique, our expert design team will create a custom design specifically for your gym. Whether it's a limited-edition release or something iconic to represent your brand, we’ll make it happen.

And don’t worry about extra costs. We provide unlimited design revisions at no additional charge—1 to 5 rounds of revisions are common, and we make sure every detail is just right.

2. Garment Samples

One of the best ways to increase apparel sales is by letting your members experience the product firsthand. That's why we provide complimentary garment samples, so you can check the fit, feel, and quality before making your final decision.

If the initial samples don’t meet your expectations, no sweat—we'll swap them out for garments that do. Once you have the perfect samples, display them at your gym so members can try them on. Statistics show that members are 70% more likely to make a purchase after seeing and feeling the apparel in person.

3. Preorder Setup

When it comes to managing preorders, we offer two flexible options:

• Self-Managed Preorder
  If you’ve got an efficient preorder system in place, you can manage everything on your end. This gives you total control over your sales process and member engagement.

• Webstore Option
  If you’d rather have us handle the details, we offer a webstore service where we manage everything from order collection to payment processing. This option reduces your workload and ensures a seamless experience for both you and your members. Interested in this option? Just let us know, and we’ll provide all the details.

4. Production and Pricing

We know that time and cost are major factors when it comes to apparel orders. That’s why our production timeline is set to approximately 2 weeks, ensuring a quick turnaround without compromising on quality. Here's how our pricing works:

• $10-14 per item for a 1-color, front-only print.
• $14-19 per item for 3-4 ink colors, with both front and back printing options.

These prices may vary depending on garment choice, but we work with you to ensure you maintain healthy profitability margins. Plus, we pride ourselves on transparency—there are no hidden fees, setup charges, or recurring costs. Shipping costs are minimal, typically around $1 per item.

Why Our Apparel Plan Works

Our service is more than just a way to order apparel; it’s a strategy to grow your revenue, increase member engagement, and elevate your gym’s brand. With proactive reminders and key ordering windows, we make sure you’re always prepared, no matter how busy things get. The combination of flexible design options, garment samples, and hassle-free preorders ensures a seamless experience from start to finish.

By following our process, you’ll not only provide your members with high-quality apparel but also create opportunities to increase sales and build a strong community around your gym’s brand. Ready to get started? Let us help you take the next step in growing your apparel sales and building your gym’s identity!

As gym owners, one of the most common questions I get from new clients is: "What’s the secret to selling more apparel?" There are many small strategies that contribute to a successful apparel campaign—everything from design to marketing. But if you want to make a significant impact on your apparel sales, there’s one crucial factor you can’t overlook: Timing.

Timing Is Everything

You can have the best designs in the world, but if you offer them at the wrong time, your sales will suffer. A prime example? Trying to launch a hoodie order in February.

Sure, February is often the coldest month of the year, but by then, most people are already thinking ahead to Spring. Post-holiday spending has slowed down, and few members are going to drop $60 on a hoodie when warmer weather is right around the corner. The data is clear—launching hoodies too late in the season will drastically reduce your sales.

The 5-Week Window for Hoodies

When it comes to fleece items like hoodies, zip-ups, and crewnecks, there’s a specific 5-week window that’s ideal for getting those “instant yes” responses from your members. If you offer hoodies outside this window, your order size could be 15-30% smaller than if you had timed it right.

So, what’s the right time?

• October 14th to November 15th is the perfect window to run your hoodie campaign.
• This is when people are loosening up their budgets for holiday spending, making it easier for them to justify purchasing a new hoodie.

Why This Timing Works

• Holiday Spending: People are naturally inclined to spend more in the weeks leading up to the holidays. By running your hoodie campaign during this time, you tap into that increased willingness to spend.
• The “New Hoodie” Effect: Let’s face it—everyone loves a good hoodie. While we all have hoodies that last for years, there’s something exciting about breaking in a new one each season. People are ready to invest in fresh apparel when the timing is right.

Avoid the Black Friday Trap

One final word of advice: Avoid Black Friday at all costs. After November 15th, people’s attention shifts to hunting for discounts and deals. Unless you plan on steeply discounting your apparel (and why would you?), there’s little benefit to participating in Black Friday sales. By then, the focus is on deep discounts, which can undermine the value of your premium products.

Wrapping It Up

In summary, if you want to sell more apparel, especially fleece items, timing is everything. Launch your hoodie project between October 14th and November 15th, stay clear of Black Friday, and give your members the chance to buy when they’re most likely to say “yes.”

Discounts!

Cue the gasp!

"I won’t discount anything because I’ve read and heard that discounts are bad!"

Relax. Discounts can be a powerful tool when used strategically. The issue isn’t with discounts themselves—it’s with how they’re applied. Many businesses end up discounting the wrong number. Let’s break that down.

The Power of Price Savings

One of the strongest motivators for getting customers to act on a preorder is the opportunity to save money. Preorders remain the most effective way to manage merchandise orders, but some clients struggle to get participation.

If you've tried everything—samples, aggressive marketing, shortening the preorder window, or reducing product options—and still aren't seeing results, it might be time to try offering a discount. But there’s an important concept most gym owners miss: they discount the wrong number.

Discount the Right Number

Let’s look at a common scenario. Say you typically sell apparel for $27. To boost preorder sign-ups, you decide to discount the shirt price to $22. That sounds reasonable, right? Unfortunately, this is a classic case of discounting the wrong number.

You shouldn’t be discounting your ideal price point. Instead, you should set a higher price point and then discount from there.

How This Works

Here’s a better strategy:

Example: “Our new tees and tanks are available for preorder at $27.99. I will be ordering some inventory for these, but if you wait to buy from that inventory, the price will be $35 per item. Preorder now to lock in the discount!”

In this case, you’re discounting from a higher price ($35) to your ideal price point ($27.99). Before you dismiss this by saying, "No one charges $35 for a t-shirt," take a look at Mayhem’s store—every shirt is $35!

Raising your price may seem risky, but with a little courage, you’ll find that discounting from a higher point can drive action without devaluing your products.

When and How to Use Discounts

How to:
Set a price point that’s $5-8 higher than your ideal selling price. For example, if you want to sell a shirt for $27, list the full price as $32 and offer the preorder at $27.

When to:
Use this strategy if your preorders are lagging. Offering a preorder discount from a higher price point stimulates demand without compromising the perceived value of your merchandise.

Final Thoughts

Discounting, when done right, can be a game-changer for your apparel sales. By setting a higher price and offering a discount for preorders, you encourage customers to act while still maintaining the value of your products. Give this approach a try, and watch how it can transform your preorder participation!