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First Time Preordering? Let's Talk Expectations

I am always very honest with people on intro calls: It usually takes an order or two for members to understand the idea of a preorder.
Some gyms have no problem with preorders and their members are fired up to preorder apparel.
Some gyms need heavy incentives and very persistent marketing plans to get people to preorder.

You need to run one order, see how it goes, and allow us to help you make adjustments.

It is very similar to onboarding gym members.
Some people join and they can jump right into a class and fit right in.
Some people join and...to put it lightly...need assistance and scaling.
Our business and service is not a get rich quick scheme. If you think you're going to run 1 apparel order and magically pull off a 100 item order with a couple social media posts...that is probably not going to happen.
Trust me, it is no fun doing all the work and heavy lifting and see an order of 12 pieces come thru.
The fun for this job comes from watching a client struggle to get 12 pieces and then a couple orders later they're pushing 40,50,60 pieces of merch with a little feedback and coaching.
I know I can get you there but you gotta give it a couple tries before you throw in the towel.

Print On Demand Stores Don't Work

Many gym owners launch a print-on-demand (POD) store expecting it to be an easy, passive way to sell apparel. The promise sounds great:

✔️ No upfront costs
✔️ Apparel available 24/7
✔️ A wide variety of options

But here’s the reality: Print-on-demand stores don’t work.

If you have 50+ members, your gym should be selling at least 35-50 pieces per order. If your POD store isn’t hitting those numbers, it’s time to rethink your approach.

Let’s break down exactly why POD stores fail—and what actually works instead.


1. “Apparel Will Always Be Available” – And That’s the Problem

Print-on-demand stores promise convenience: members can buy whenever they want. But that’s exactly why they don’t buy.

Think about it: People don’t purchase gym apparel just because it’s sitting in an online store. They need a reason to buy now.

Big apparel brands use:

  • Limited-edition releases (Nike’s drops sell out in minutes.)
  • Time-sensitive incentives (Deadlines force people to make a decision.)
  • Event-based promotions (Think concert merch—only available at the show.)

When apparel is always available, there’s no urgency. That’s why our clients use 7-day pre-orders instead. Members know they have just one week to buy—after that, it’s gone. That urgency drives action.


2. “A POD Store Will Solve Our Drop-In Tee Problem” – Wrong.

Every gym wants a great drop-in experience. A visitor gets a workout in, meets the community, and leaves with a branded tee as a souvenir.

But here’s the problem: Print-on-demand takes weeks to deliver.

Imagine this:

  • A drop-in finishes their workout and asks if you have a shirt they can buy.
  • You tell them, “Just go to our online store and order one!”
  • They realize they won’t get it for 3-4 weeks.
  • They leave with nothing other than regret for not picking the other gym in town to visit.

Drop-in tees need to be in stock, on hand, and ready to sell immediately. A POD store won’t solve that.


3. “We Can Offer Tons of Designs and Products” – And That’s Why No One Buys

Choice overload is real. The more options you offer, the harder it is for people to decide.

Look at any POD store’s analytics:

  • Tons of page views
  • Tons of time spent browsing
  • Very few purchases

Most POD stores convert less than 2% of visitors into buyers. That’s terrible.

Instead of throwing 20+ designs on a website and hoping for sales, we recommend launching one design at a time with 3 garment options that make sense—with a clear marketing strategy behind them.


4. “Cutting Out the Middleman Saves Money” – No, It Costs You Sales

Many business coaches push the idea of cutting out the “middleman” to increase profit margins. But when it comes to apparel, this logic falls apart.

If you use a POD store, you now have to:

  • Choose garments (without knowing what will sell)
  • Handle designs (Canva won’t cut it)
  • Manage the store, update styles, and refresh products

Congratulations, you just created a second job for yourself—one that won’t pay off.

A good apparel partner does more than print shirts. They provide expert design, a proven sales system, and marketing support to ensure your orders actually hit 35-50+ pieces each time.


The Bottom Line: Print-on-Demand Stores Are Costing You Thousands

If your POD store has sold less than 40 pieces this quarter, it’s time for a new approach.

We’ve helped gyms go from struggling to sell a few shirts per month to consistently moving hundreds of pieces per year—with zero stress.

Let’s fix this. Book a quick call, and I’ll show you how to turn apparel into a true revenue stream for your gym.

Unleash the Power of Apparel Plans: A Gym Owner's Guide to Boosting Sales and Building Community

Want to increase your gym's revenue and strengthen your community? Look no further than a strategic apparel program! But forget about random orders and hoping for the best. To truly succeed, you need a solid plan – an Apparel Plan.

Think of it as your roadmap to apparel success. It's a pre-programmed strategy that ensures you offer the right apparel at the right times throughout the year, eliminating last-minute scrambles and maximizing your sales potential.

 

Why are apparel plans so powerful?

  • Consistency is King: Regular apparel offerings keep your brand top-of-mind and create a buzz among your members.
  • Increase Your Revenue: By strategically timing your orders (think hoodies in the fall, tanks in the summer), you'll capitalize on seasonal demand and key events.
  • Effortless Execution: With a plan in place, you'll never miss a beat, even when you're juggling a million other things.

What Makes Our Apparel Plans Different?

  • Tailored to You: We work closely with you to develop an apparel plan that aligns with your gym's unique brand, target audience, and budget. No cookie-cutter solutions here!
  • Flexible and Goal-Oriented: Whether you want quarterly launches or prefer bi-monthly, we'll help you achieve your specific goals, from boosting member engagement to increasing revenue.
  • Full-Service Support: Our apparel plan seamlessly integrates with our design, printing, and marketing services for a hassle-free experience. Plus, we provide dedicated support and proactive communication every step of the way.

Reap the Rewards:

  • Increased Efficiency: Save valuable time and eliminate the guesswork involved in managing your apparel program.
  • Reduced Risk: Say goodbye to unsold inventory and hello to increased profitability with our data-driven approach.
  • Community Building: Foster a sense of belonging and create a thriving gym culture where members proudly represent your brand.

Ready to take your apparel game to the next level?

Creating an apparel plan is one of the most effective strategies to boost your gym's apparel sales and build a stronger community. It's the foundation for a consistent, profitable, and engaging apparel program.

Schedule a free consultation today and let us help you transform your gym's apparel program!