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How CrossFit St. Helens Transformed Their Apparel Process with Forever Fierce

When running a busy CrossFit gym, managing apparel can be a challenging task. Carleen, owner of CrossFit St. Helens, knows this all too well. From satisfying gym members’ demand for high-quality merchandise to ensuring orders arrive on time, the process can quickly become overwhelming—especially when working with unreliable vendors.

Here’s how partnering with Forever Fierce helped streamline CrossFit St. Helens’ apparel needs and keep their community happy.

The Challenge: Timeliness and Reliability

Before teaming up with Forever Fierce, Carleen was working with a local vendor to manage her gym’s apparel. However, the experience fell short. “They weren’t timely,” Carleen recalls. For a busy gym owner, delays in receiving or delivering orders weren’t just inconvenient—they disrupted the ability to keep her members satisfied with consistent merchandise offerings.

The Solution: Finding Forever Fierce

Carleen first discovered Forever Fierce through a podcast. Intrigued by the promise of a better experience, she decided to make the switch, despite some initial uncertainties. But any doubts she had quickly faded. “The process was great,” Carleen shares, highlighting how easy and seamless it was to transition her gym’s apparel needs.

The Results: A Timely and Streamlined Process

Since partnering with Forever Fierce, the apparel process at CrossFit St. Helens has been completely transformed. The biggest improvement? “Timely,” Carleen says. Orders are now handled promptly, allowing her to keep her members happy and ensure consistent availability of high-quality merchandise.

This newfound efficiency has freed up Carleen’s time to focus on what she does best—leading her gym community—without the stress of worrying about delays or unreliable service.

A Word of Advice to Others

For other gym owners or businesses on the fence about working with Forever Fierce, Carleen offers this simple advice: “Do it.”

Whether it’s about getting apparel to members on time or enjoying a streamlined, hassle-free experience, Carleen’s story shows how choosing the right partner can make all the difference.

 

Ditch Discounts, Embrace Price Incentives

Ever heard the saying "never discount"? While the sentiment is right, it often misses the mark. The real key is understanding the difference between damaging discounts and smart price incentives.

Here's the problem:

  • Discount: "I normally sell shirts for $25. If you preorder, it's only $20."
    • You're undercutting your own value! Your ideal price is $25, but you're settling for less.

Here's the solution:

  • Price Incentive: "Preorder our new Memorial Day shirts by 5/1 for just $30. After that, they're $37."
    • This creates urgency and rewards early buyers without devaluing your product.

Think of it like this: You're not lowering the price, you're offering a limited-time bonus for those who act fast. This strategy is especially powerful for preorders, giving customers a compelling reason to commit early.

Still think higher prices are a no-go? Check out this video where I analyze 4 brands' apparel pricing - you might be surprised how much you're undercharging!  

Turbocharge Your Preorder With This Incentive

In today's hyper-competitive fitness apparel market, standing out is crucial. You're facing competition from all sides: meme accounts, influencers, equipment and supplement brands - the list goes on. The sheer number of companies vying for your members' attention is staggering. But here's the good news: you have a powerful, unique advantage that most of these competitors only dream of.

Your Secret Weapon: Face Time

As a gym owner, you have unparalleled access to your customers. You're spending 3-5 hours per week, face-to-face, with the very people these other brands are desperately trying to reach. While other businesses are moving towards express, quick-transaction models, you have the opportunity to leverage quality time with your members. This is your "gym owner advantage," and it's time to maximize every second of it.

The Preorder Price Incentive: A Win-Win Strategy

One highly effective way to capitalize on this advantage is through strategic preorder pricing. Let's say you're planning a new line of Memorial Day tees and tanks. Here's how to implement this strategy:

"We're excited to announce a preorder for our new Memorial Day tees and tanks! Preorder now for the special price of $30. We'll have limited stock available after the preorder, but the price will be $37. This is your chance to save and secure your favorite styles!"

You might be thinking, "$37 is expensive for a t-shirt!" And that's precisely the point. This slight "sticker shock" creates a sense of urgency and encourages members to take advantage of the preorder discount. Most gym owners are comfortable with a $30 price point for apparel, but the higher post-preorder price acts as a compelling incentive to act now.

Addressing Your Concerns: Let's Talk Data and Mindset

I understand the potential hesitations you might have about this strategy. Let's address the most common concerns:

  • "I'll scare off members with a higher price." Do you have data to support this? If you've always charged $25, how do you know your members won't pay more? You might be surprised. Experiment, gather data, and avoid making assumptions.
  • "My members are price-sensitive." This is a common misconception. Your members are already investing in a premium fitness experience at your gym. They choose your $180/month service over a $10/month gym like Planet Fitness. This demonstrates their willingness to invest in quality. A small increase in apparel price is unlikely to deter them.
  • "I wouldn't pay $37 for a shirt." That's okay. Millions of people regularly pay this much, or more, for fitness apparel. Brands like Rogue Fitness and Mayhem successfully sell basic tees at this price point, especially when shipping is factored in. Don't let your personal spending habits limit your business's potential. You need to separate your personal financial situation from your business goals.
  • There is no moral victory in pricing apparel too low. Your members don't care whether your shirts are $25, $27, or $30. They want to support your gym. Pricing strategically allows you to generate more revenue, which you can reinvest in your business.
  • "I'm not looking to make a profit from apparel." This statement is often a safety net in case sales are lower than expected. But why not aim for profit? As a part of your team, I want to see you succeed. Trust the process, and you'll be pleasantly surprised by the results at the end of the year.

Conclusion: Embrace Your Advantage

You have a unique opportunity to connect with your members on a level that other brands simply can't match. By implementing a strategic preorder pricing strategy, you can boost apparel sales, generate more revenue, and strengthen your gym's brand. Embrace your gym owner advantage, and watch your business thrive.