How To Start A Fitness Clothing Line?

The fitness apparel market is booming. Health awareness and athleisure trends are driving it. Global revenues are projected to reach $248.1 billion by 2026, according to Allied Market Research.

In a competitive market, new fitness clothing brands must stand out and gain market share. Generic products and weak branding often lead to failure in this saturated market. So find a reliable sportswear manufacturers is very important for you.

Ready to seize this demand and launch a fitness clothing line? We prepared some pointers on how to start a clothing brand with activewear products, so dive right in.

 

A Complete Guide on How To Start A Fitness Clothing Line

Step 1: Research the Market

Before product development, understand the current fitness apparel market.

Market Segmentation: The market is split into two segments. Activewear is performance-focused. Athleisure is lifestyle-focused. According to NPD Group athleisure accounted for 24% of total apparel industry sales in 2023.

Target Audience: Millennials and Gen Z are driving the growth in the fitness apparel market. A Statista study found that 65% of millennials buy activewear at least once every 3 months.

Competitor Analysis: Research established brands like Lululemon, Nike and Gymshark and emerging players. Look for gaps in their offerings or under served customer segments you could target.

Popular and Growing Categories:

  • Yoga Wear: The global yoga clothing market is expected to reach $70.29 billion by 2030. It will grow at a CAGR of 7.8% from 2022 to 2030 (Grand View Research). The rise in yoga practitioners and the versatility of yoga wear is driving this growth.

  • Golf Apparel: The golf apparel market should hit $6.66 billion by 2030. It will grow at a 6.0% CAGR from 2023 to 2030 (Verified Market Research). Golf is gaining popularity with younger people. Golf-inspired streetwear is trending.


  • Cycling Wear: The cycling wear market will grow from $3.43 billion in 2023 to $4.99 billion by 2030. This is a CAGR of 5.5% (Research and Markets). Cycling for fitness and commuting is on the rise especially in urban areas.


  • Sustainable Activewear: There is high demand for eco-friendly activewear. It is made from recycled materials or sustainable fabrics. The sustainable activewear market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.8% from 2021 to 2026 (Technavio).

To succeed you need to research top brands like Lululemon, Nike and Gymshark. Look for gaps in their product lines especially in under served consumer segments. This will guide your entry into the custom sportswear market,you can also use this chance to find some suitable yoga manufacturers, fitness manufacturers, or cycling apparel manufacturers, or other wholesalers.

If you need other sportswear, we can help. As China’s top sportswear suppliers, our experts will find the right solution. Don’t hesitate to contact us for help.

Step 2: Define Your Niche

Carving out a niche will help your brand stand out:

  • Eco-friendly Activewear: 73% of millennials will pay more for sustainable products (Nielsen). So, eco-friendly fitness wear is a growing niche.

  • Plus-Size Fitness Apparel: The plus size market is expected to reach $697 billion by 2027 (Allied Market Research) so it’s a big opportunity.

  • Tech-Integrated Fitness Wear: Smart fabrics and wearable tech are an emerging trend. The smart textile market is projected to reach $5.55 billion by 2025 (Grand View Research).

Success Story: Outdoor Voices succeeded by focusing on “recreational athletics.” They targeted casual exercisers and yoga fans, not high-performance sportswear.

Step 3: Business Plan

A business plan is crucial to guide your venture and attract investors:

Components:

  • Executive Summary

  • Company Description

  • Market Analysis

  • Organization and Management

  • Product Line

  • Marketing and Sales Strategies

  • Financial Projections

Startup Costs: $50,000 to $250,000 depending on your production model and inventory levels.

Funding:

  • Self funding

  • Angel investors

  • Small business loans

  • Crowdfunding (e.g., Kickstarter, Indiegogo)

Set realistic goals, launch your first product line in 6-12 months and break even in 18-24 months.

Step 4: Product Mix

Offer a range of products to service different customer needs:

  • Compression Wear: $3.9 billion in 2023, 5.8% CAGR through 2030 (Grand View Research)

  • Yoga Pants and Leggings: $38.4 billion in 2023 (Statista)

  • Sports Bras: $38.4 billion by 2026 (Allied Market Research)

  • Athleisure Wear: Hoodies, joggers, lifestyle pieces

  • Accessories: Gym bags, water bottles, fitness trackers

Quality: Use high performance fabrics like:

  • Nylon: Durable and moisture wicking

  • Spandex: Stretch and shape retention

  • Organic Cotton: Eco friendly and casual wear

Step 5: Find Suppliers

Finding the right manufacturer is key to product quality and business success:

Find Manufacturers:

  • Online platforms: Alibaba, GlobalSourcesTrade shows: MAGIC, Texworld USA

  • Print-on-demand services: Printful, Gooten (for lower initial investment)

Supplier Spotlight: Leelinesports is a reliable custom fitness manufacturer 

  • Based in China with over 10 years of experience

  • Offers a wide range of products including leggings, sports bras and performance tops

  • High quality materials and innovative fabric technologies

  • MOQ 50 pieces per style

  • 150,000 pieces per month production capacity

  • Customization and private labeling services

When considering suppliers like Leelinesports:

  • Ask for samples to test quality

  • Ask about their quality control process

  • Ask about lead times and production capacity

  • Negotiate pricing and payment terms

  • Ask about shipping and logistics

Step 6: Brand Identity

Your brand is what sets you apart in a crowded market:

  • Develop a brand story that resonates with your target market. For example if you’re going eco friendly focus on sustainability.

  • Design a logo and establish visual branding guidelines. Consistency across all touchpoints builds brand recognition.

  • Make sure your brand values align with your target audience. According to Cone Communications 87% of consumers will buy from a company that supports an issue they care about.

Step 7: Launch Your Online Store

Choose the right platform to showcase and sell your products:

Build Your Own Website:

  • Shopify: Over 1 million businesses use it

  • WooCommerce: Powers 28% of all online stores

Established Marketplaces:

  • Amazon: 300 million active users worldwide

  • Etsy: 90 million active buyers, perfect for unique, handmade products

Prioritize mobile optimization as mobile commerce will be 72.9% of total e-commerce sales by 2025 (Statista).

Step 8: Marketing

Social Media:

  • Instagram: 1 billion monthly active users, perfect for visual content

  • TikTok: 1 billion monthly active users, growing fast among younger demographics

Influencer Marketing: 89% of marketers say influencer marketing’s ROI is as good as or better than other channels (Mediakix).

Content Marketing: Blogs, videos and infographics can position your brand as an authority in fitness apparel

Step 9: Monitor and Adjust

Monitor your business performance:

  • Use Google Analytics and social media insights to track: traffic, engagement, and conversions

  • Do customer surveys to get feedback on product quality and customer experience

  • Stay up to date with industry reports and trade publications

Conclusion

Launching a fitness clothing line requires careful planning, market research, and a commitment to quality and innovation. By following these steps and staying adaptable to market changes, you can build a successful brand in this dynamic industry.

If you’re ready to turn your sportswear brand vision into reality but still have questions, professional guidance is available. Leelinesports offers expert technology and services to help develop a tailored plan for your brand. Our team can assist with everything from product development to manufacturing logistics. 

For personalized support in creating your fitness apparel line, reach out to Leelinesports: