| Whether you own a circuit training franchise | | | | handling and divide that number by the actual |
| or a large national chain gym, there's no | | | | quantity of shirts you received. You may be |
| doubt that two of your primary functions are | | | | surprised by how much you're really paying |
| health club marketing and boosting profits. | | | | for t-shirts. |
| Every fitness center in the country is | | | | |
| looking for new members, while at the same | | | | Assuming that you've found a supplier with a |
| time seeking to increase their income. | | | | reasonable price, you can resell logo shirts |
| | | | to your members for $10 each. However, you |
| What if you could do both at the same time? | | | | may want to consider charging more for your |
| What if you could get your existing members | | | | shirts. For example, 24 Hour Fitness center |
| to do some gym marketing for you, and do it | | | | charges $16 to $20 for their women's t-shirt. |
| for free? Even better, how excited would you | | | | Bally's Gym has a t-shirt for a man listed at |
| be if your members actually paid you to | | | | $16.99. World Gym offers their basic logo |
| advertise your health club? | | | | t-shirt for $15.95 and their designer t-shirt |
| | | | for up to $26 each. |
| A custom t-shirt can help you achieve all | | | | |
| these goals, bringing in more revenue and | | | | If you decide to charge more than the basic |
| free advertising for years to come. Selling | | | | $10 for your gym t-shirt, your profit margins |
| workout clothing has been profitable for many | | | | might look something like this: |
| gyms, and it can be for you, too. | | | | |
| | | | $10 retail = 42% markup |
| Perhaps the best way to capitalize on the | | | | |
| workout wear market is to sell t-shirts with | | | | $12 retail = 71% markup |
| your logo on the front. Your members will | | | | |
| wear a high-quality customized t-shirt, and | | | | $14 retail = 100% markup |
| every time they wear it they'll be | | | | |
| advertising for you. | | | | $16 retail = 129% markup |
| | | | |
| Before entering this side-business, it's | | | | $18 retail = 157% markup |
| important to consider exactly what type of | | | | |
| custom printed t-shirt your members will | | | | $20 retail = 186% markup |
| purchase. As an example, consider the | | | | |
| extremely popular women's circuit-training | | | | (Based upon a cost of $7 per shirt) |
| gyms that are spread across the United | | | | |
| States. Most of these hydraulic | | | | So now you're aware of the potential profit |
| circuit-training gyms cater to women. Color | | | | to be gained by selling workout clothes, |
| and quality are important, especially to a | | | | while at the same time getting completely |
| woman. While most women will not wear a | | | | free fitness center marketing and |
| regular white t-shirt, they will eagerly | | | | advertising. Still not convinced that you |
| purchase a custom designed t-shirt. Cheap | | | | should be selling t-shirts in your health |
| t-shirts that are practically see-through | | | | club? Here's another idea that may even help |
| after the first wash won't generate many | | | | with member retention: |
| sales. Offering high-quality shirts in a wide | | | | |
| assortment of colors, on the other hand, will | | | | Hold a t-shirt design contest for your gym |
| maximize sales. | | | | members! Have your members submit drawings or |
| | | | ideas for a novelty t-shirt. Choose the best |
| So how do you get into this profitable | | | | design and have some printed up for sale. |
| business? It's simple! You already have the | | | | Give the member who submitted the best design |
| membership base, and all you need is a | | | | a free t-shirt or some other prize. Your |
| t-shirt design. For most of you, that will be | | | | members will have fun, and you'll be |
| your existing health club logo. Once you've | | | | surprised with the humorous t-shirt ideas |
| decided on an image, slogan or logo for your | | | | they'll create. |
| printed t-shirt, your next step is to find a | | | | |
| supplier that can wholesale t-shirts and also | | | | If you like this idea, here are a few funny |
| handle all your t-shirt printing needs. | | | | t-shirt sayings to get you started: |
| | | | |
| Perhaps you already have a t-shirt printer | | | | "Leave Your Fat Behind At __________" (name |
| that you're working with. Maybe they've even | | | | of your gym) |
| quoted you a price that appears to be low. | | | | |
| But is that really what you're paying? Be | | | | "Actually Weight What Your Drivers License |
| wary of the hidden charges on your bill. Most | | | | Says." |
| gym clothes providers charge a set-up fee | | | | |
| ranging from $60 to $140. You pay this fee | | | | "Don't Weight Another Day! Join __________ |
| every time you make a change to your t-shirt | | | | Today!" (name of your gym) |
| design. Other companies quote you a low price | | | | |
| on the shirts and then hit you with a huge | | | | "The Weight Is Over!" |
| shipping and handling fee, bringing the | | | | |
| per-shirt price well over $9. Hidden costs | | | | "Change Your Life Inch By Inch." |
| like these will erase any profit potential. | | | | |
| | | | Selling t-shirts in your health club is |
| To discover what kind of profit you've been | | | | profitable, it provides you with free |
| making on retail health club t-shirts, find | | | | advertising and it can help increase member |
| one of your old invoices and figure out your | | | | retention. No matter what size your gym may |
| actual cost per shirt. Take the total amount | | | | be, this is one strategy that deserves a |
| you paid, including set-up fees, shipping and | | | | closer look. |