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