How do you start a fitness clothing line?

Athleisure and activewear have become very lucrative in the past few years. It seems like everyone is starting a fitness clothing line. All you need is a website, social media account, and a gym pullover hoodie wholesale inventory.

Not quite. Starting your own successful fitness clothing line takes more work than meets the eye. Nevertheless, you can take steps to set up your new fitness brand for success and make yourself stand out in a crowded market. 

Here’s a step-by-step guide to kickstart your fitness clothing line. 

Research the Industry and Your Competitors

Before you launch your fitness clothing line, you need a strong foundation. That requires you to research the fitness clothing industry and identify your brand’s main competitors.

There are, of course, well-known fitness brands that dominate the market. However, that doesn’t mean your small business can’t succeed. With increased demand from millennials and the prevalence of e-commerce, there’s a vast opportunity for custom, high-quality fitness brands to break into the market. 

Identify other small brands you consider direct competition and analyze their business strategy. What do you want to emulate? What aspects of their approach can your brand improve?

Activewear vs. Athleisure

Once you start your competitor analysis and industry research, you’ll want to hone in on a niche.

Identifying your niche will make product development more focused, create more powerful branding, and make you stand out in the industry. 

The fitness clothing industry has two main niches: activewear and athleisure wear. 

• Activewear: Activewear is for workouts and activities that make you sweat. Customers look for durable, flexible, and breathable clothing that is comfortable for exercising and playing sports. 
• Athleisure: Athleisure is similar to activewear but a bit more elevated. Customers can work out in athleisure clothing and wear it straight out of the gym. Think of it as softer, more stylish activewear. 

Decide if you want to focus on creating activewear, athleisure, or both. For example, a gym pullover hoodie wholesale order will simultaneously satisfy the demand for comfy athleisure and versatile workout gear. 

Identify Your Target Market

Successfully identifying your target customers within the fitness industry will help your brand thrive. According to Forbes, a few tried and true strategies for identifying your target audience include:

• Research your competition: What are your competitors doing to draw in customers? What kinds of customers have you overlooked in your research? Is there a niche market your competitor is missing that you can target?
• Analyze data about your website visitors: If your brand has a live website or blog, look at the analytics. Learn about potential customer locations, interests, and much more. 
• Create an ideal customer: Create several different profiles of imaginary potential customers. Think about the customers you want to reach with your fitness brand. Consider age, income, location, etc. 

When you identify your target audience, you can develop custom products to meet their needs and desires. For example, a gym pullover hoodie wholesale product would be lucrative to create if your brand targets physically active men and women. 

Create a business plan

Any new business needs to draft a solid business plan in the early stages of development. It will help you stay organized, plan for the future, and develop a business model. 

A business plan is also necessary if you want to apply for any business loans. As a result, banks use your business plan to determine how much money you can borrow and if your loans get approved.  

A solid business plan includes the following:

• Product, market, and competitor analysis
• Information about your brand’s organizational structure
• Descriptions of your target audience
• A marketing plan
• A sales plan
• Budget and projected earnings

Tie the business plan together with a one-page executive summary. This summary will give potential investors or lenders an easy-to-read overview of your fitness clothing line. 

Choose the right brand name and logo

The most challenging part of starting your fitness brand might be coming up with a brand name! It’s easy to feel pressure to pick the “perfect” name, but there are some simple guidelines you can follow. 

Think about the values and feelings you want your fitness clothing line to convey to shoppers. Find a name that clearly describes your brand and is easy to remember. Brainstorm some names, logos, and color schemes and go from there. 

Also, ensure your brand name and logo are available in your state. It would be a big disappointment to invest time and money into a sleek logo only to find out another business registered your desired company name and is unavailable. 

Scope out what you want to sell

Now for the fun part of starting a business– developing products! There are a lot of factors that go into creating a fitness product line. 

Once you research your target audience and develop your brand logo, you will know what wholesale pieces you want to purchase. 

Fabric

As a fitness brand, you want durable, breathable, and comfy fabrics. Nylon, polyester, and spandex are popular choices for activewear.

In addition, you can elevate your brand by using other quality fabrics like cotton and fleece. These softer, comfier materials feel luxurious on the skin and can make a piece function as both practical activewear and streetwear.  

Look for a gym pullover hoodie wholesale supplier that uses soft, high-quality materials like Airlume cotton and poly fleece. Hoodies should be comfortable and warm. On the other hand, high-waist leggings should use stretchy but thick nylon and spandex. 

Cut & Fit

If you focus on activewear for athletes and gym fans, you need more compression in your wholesale apparel cuts. Customers will look for clothes that provide a range of movement, flexibility, and durability. Leggings, compression shorts, and moisture-wicking shirts are a must. 

If your brand focuses on athleisure, it’s all about versatility. Cropped fleece and sponge fleece pullover hoodie wholesale options are a must. In addition, you want cuts that are modern, sleek, and stylish. 

Of course, you can offer a combination of activewear and athleisure options. Look for a wide range of cuts and fits to satisfy a broader range of potential customers. 

Variety

Aim to offer various products, even if your operation is small. 

Have an inventory of different color options for a single product. Customers love mix-and-match fitness clothing options and can always come back for more if they love one of your pullover hoodie cuts. 

Therefore, use many unique gym pullover hoodie wholesale color options for different seasons and product lines. 

How to find a gym pullover hoodie wholesale supplier

Once you know the products you want to sell, it’s time to find a wholesaler. 

Purchasing hoodies wholesale is the most cost-effective option for your business. It will help you save money, remain competitive in pricing, and increase your profit margins. 

You want to establish a business relationship with a wholesaler within your budget that meets your minimum quantity requirements. However, if you plan to print brand logos or custom designs, it’s worthwhile to spend a little more and go with a wholesaler that uses high-quality materials that make printing a breeze.

Start your search online using wholesale directories and organic search. You can go to tradeshows to scope out trusted wholesalers and make connections. Ask for referrals from small business networks. Referrals can let you know how well a wholesaler treats its clients. 

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

The cost of starting a fitness clothing line will vary depending on your budget. It can cost anywhere from a couple hundred to thousands of dollars. 

To run a successful brand, be prepared to spend start-up money on the following:

• CRM software: Customer relationship management software helps you interact with customers and generate leads. 
• Marketing: Get the word out on your new brand with Google Ads, social media content, and user-generated content. 
• Wholesale inventory orders: Buying a gym pullover hoodie wholesale can be a steep price to pay up-front, but it is cheaper in the long run. Also, account for periodically reordering products from your wholesaler. 
• Website hosting and domain name: Every brand needs a website to sell its products. Don’t skimp on a cheap or free web hosting plan. Paying for a website makes your brand look professional and builds customer trust. 

Every small business will have different start-up costs. Outline your budget, strategize your start-up investments, and analyze your spending as you develop your brand. 

Make it legal

The legal aspect of starting your own fitness clothing business can seem intimidating. However, ensuring your assets are protected and your business’s tax situation is squared away is necessary. 

Consult a licensed accountant to determine your brand’s best business structure. There are several possibilities:

• Sole proprietorship: You own and operate your business as an individual. As a sole proprietor, you receive all profits from the business and are responsible for all taxes and liabilities. 
• Limited liability company (LLC): An LLC business structure removes personal liability and allows pass-through taxation. As an LLC, your business is a separate entity, and you are a member of that entity. 

Once you figure out your brand’s business structure, open a business bank account to separate personal and professional finances. 

Ensure your fitness clothing business operates with the correct licenses and permits. These vary state by state and are available on the U.S. Small Business Administration website. Your company can be fined or shut down if you don’t have the correct operating permits.