Bouldering Gym Shop Setup: A 90-Minute Launch

A bouldering gym apparel shop launches in about 90 minutes. The platform handles printing, packing, and shipping. The gym's job is to pick products, upload a logo, set prices, and share the link. Here is the step-by-step walkthrough for the launch you can do this afternoon.

Step 1: Sign Up and Brand Setup (15 minutes)

Open a free Bear Grips Pro Shop. The free tier covers three live products at no monthly cost, which validates that members will buy before upgrading to a paid plan.

Have ready:

• Gym name as you want it displayed
• Logo file (transparent PNG, 1500 by 1500 pixels minimum)
• Brand color or two for the shop accents
• A short bio for the shop intro
• A gym interior photo for the shop header

Upload during signup. The shop is live within minutes.

Step 2: Pick the Five Starter Products (30 minutes)

The lineup that works at almost every bouldering gym:

1. Heavyweight studio hoodie ($36.88 base, $58 retail, $21 profit)
2. Lifestyle cotton tee ($19.88 base, $32 retail, $12 profit)
3. Fitted performance tee ($23.88 base, $36 retail, $12 profit)
4. Snapback rope hat ($29.86 base, $42 retail, $12 profit)
5. Crewneck sweatshirt ($34.88 base, $50 retail, $15 profit)

Upload the gym logo and apply it across each piece. The default placement is a 4 to 5 inch chest print or embroidered hit. Hats get embroidered. Hoodies and crewnecks get embroidered or printed depending on the visual style you want.

Bear Grips Pro Shops: Custom Apparel for Your Team. No Minimums. Free Shipping.

Step 3: Customize the Storefront (30 minutes)

Ten minutes of polish makes the shop look like a real gym brand.

• Shop header: gym name, city, tagline
• Intro paragraph: short bio, who you are, why members should buy
• Product categories: group products under "Apparel" and "Accessories" or similar
• Social link previews: confirm logo and brand color pull through
• Contact email for member questions

If you do not want to do this yourself, the Done-For-You VIP plan ($109 a month) assigns a dedicated advisor who handles the build, applies the logo, and writes the product descriptions.

Step 4: Share the Link (15 minutes)

The shop only earns when members see it.

1. Member communication channel. Email, app push notification, Discord, or whatever your community lives on. Pin the link.
2. Booking software emails. Add a footer link to every class reminder, day pass confirmation, and renewal email.
3. Front-desk QR code. Print, laminate, place where members sign in.
4. Instagram bio link. Add the shop URL.
5. One launch post. Photo of the hoodie, short caption, the link.

Most gyms see the first order within 48 hours of the launch post.

After Launch: When to Upgrade and What to Add

The free tier validates the concept with three products. Once you average more than 4 orders a month, the Self-Service VIP plan ($59 a month) drops base prices by $4 to $11 per piece, which adds $50 to $150 in monthly profit at that volume. The plan pays for itself quickly.

After 60 days, look at what sold most and add:

• A beanie for winter
• Joggers in basic colors
• A staff polo for instructors and front desk
• Seasonal drops tied to comps or community events

For the full revenue math, see our merch revenue guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to launch a bouldering gym apparel shop?

About 90 minutes from sign-up to a shareable link. The platform handles printing, packing, and shipping. Gym work is limited to product selection, logo upload, pricing, and storefront customization.

How much does it cost to start a gym apparel shop?

The free tier costs nothing and lists three products. Paid plans start at $59 a month for the Self-Service VIP plan, which unlocks 200 products and lower base prices.

How quickly do gyms see their first order?

Most gyms see the first order within 48 hours of the launch post on social and member email. Steady-state monthly revenue typically lands within the first 60 days.