This is the question every gym owner wants answered before investing time in an apparel program. Not theory. Not projections. What do gyms actually make?
We have the answer because we have processed the data. After completing over 30,000 custom apparel orders for 5,000+ gym owners since 2008, we can show you what real gyms earn across different sizes, frequencies, and strategies.
Revenue by Gym Size
|
Gym Size |
Avg Orders/Drop |
Avg Profit/Drop |
Drops/Year |
Annual Revenue |
|
50-75 members |
10-20 |
$200-$500 |
3-4 |
$600-$2,000 |
|
75-150 members |
20-40 |
$500-$1,200 |
4-5 |
$2,000-$6,000 |
|
150-250 members |
35-70 |
$1,000-$2,500 |
4-6 |
$4,000-$15,000 |
|
250-400 members |
50-100+ |
$1,500-$4,000+ |
5-6 |
$7,500-$24,000+ |
These numbers assume healthy margins (70-100%+), a well-promoted preorder window, and a mix of products including standard tees, premium items like hoodies, and accessories.
What Separates High-Revenue Gyms from Low-Revenue Gyms
We analyzed hundreds of client accounts and the differences are consistent.
High-revenue gyms:
Promote every drop actively in class, on social, and via email. They run 4-6 drops per year on a planned calendar. They price for healthy margins rather than trying to be the cheapest option. They offer multiple product types per drop, such as a tee, a premium item, and an accessory. They make sizing samples available so members order with confidence.
Low-revenue gyms:
Post once on social media and hope members find the link. They run 1-2 drops with no calendar and no consistency. They price too low out of fear that members will not pay. They offer a single product per drop. They skip samples because it feels like too much effort.
The difference is not gym size. It is execution. We have seen 80-member gyms out-earn 250-member gyms because the owner treats apparel as a real revenue stream and promotes it accordingly.
The Revenue You Are Leaving on the Table
Most gyms we speak to for the first time are earning about 30% of what they could be from apparel. The most common gaps: not enough drops per year, not promoting the drops effectively, pricing too low, and not offering premium items like hoodies and outerwear that carry higher margins.
A 150-member gym running 2 poorly promoted drops per year might make $1,500 total. That same gym running 5 well-promoted drops with healthy pricing and a product mix could make $8,000-$10,000. Same gym. Same members. Different approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
What margin should I target on gym apparel?
At minimum, 50%. Realistically, 70-100%+ is achievable for most gyms with the right vendor and pricing strategy. Our data shows the average successful gym owner hits 80-90% margins on standard tees.
Is apparel worth the effort for small gyms?
Yes. Even a 50-member gym earning $1,500-$2,000 annually from apparel is adding revenue with zero inventory risk and minimal time investment. The question is not whether it is worth it, but whether you are running the process well enough to capture the opportunity.
How do I know if my apparel program is underperforming?
If your preorders convert less than 15% of active members, or your profit per drop is below $300, there is significant room to improve. Start with promotion: how many touchpoints do members have before the preorder closes?
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