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Plus-Size Studio Apparel: Why Lululemon's Sizing Gap Is Your Opening

February 3, 2026 6 min read By Sarah Caldwell
Quick Answer
Table of Contents
  1. What the sizing gap actually looks like
  2. Retail sizing gaps vs a print-on-demand size range
  3. Blanks that run a wide size range
  4. Positioning it as inclusive, not as a discount brand
  5. Getting started without guessing at sizes
  6. Frequently Asked Questions

"Does Lululemon have plus sizes" is a search people actually type, and the fact that it needs asking says something about the retail experience. Studios and gyms that serve a size-diverse membership have an opening that has nothing to do with undercutting Lululemon on price and everything to do with covering the sizes Lululemon's in-store racks often do not stock deep. A studio's own branded line, printed to order in every size the studio offers, closes that gap directly.

What the sizing gap actually looks like

Retail activewear brands, Lululemon included, have expanded size ranges over the years, but in-store selection and online availability by size still vary a lot by style and season. A member who cannot find their size in a retail store, or who has to hunt online with limited color options, is a member who would rather buy from a shop that fits them the first time. That shop can be the studio's own.

Retail sizing gaps vs a print-on-demand size range

FactorTypical retail activewear rackPrint-on-demand studio shop
Size availabilityVaries by style and store, often thin at the top of the rangeEvery size the studio enables, printed to order
Price by sizeSometimes higher for extended sizesSame VIP base price across sizes on most products
Color choice by sizeLimited in extended sizesFull color range at every size
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Blanks that run a wide size range

See the full plus-size gym apparel buying guide for a size-by-size breakdown of the catalog.

Positioning it as inclusive, not as a discount brand

The strongest framing is not "cheaper than Lululemon." It is "we stock your size." A studio that photographs real members across a range of sizes wearing the same design sends a clearer signal than any price comparison. That photo does more selling than a markdown ever could.

Getting started without guessing at sizes

Because there is no minimum order and no inventory to hold, a studio can simply enable the full size range on its shop from day one and let member orders show which sizes actually move. No pre-purchase, no leftover mediums, no guessing.

Stock Every Size Your Members Actually Are

Full size range at the same VIP base price, no minimum order, no leftover inventory in one size.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does Lululemon have plus sizes?

Lululemon has expanded its size range over recent years, though selection by style, color, and location can still vary. That variability is exactly the gap a studio's own line can close for its own members.

Do extended sizes cost more to print?

No. Most Bear Grips products hold the same VIP base price across the size range.

What if we do not know which sizes will sell?

Enable the full range from the start. Since there is no minimum order, unsold sizes are never a cost. Only ordered pieces get printed.

Is this framed as a cheap alternative or something else?

Inclusive sizing is the stronger pitch. Members respond more to seeing their own size represented than to a price comparison alone.

Sarah Caldwell
Sarah CaldwellCrossFit and Functional Fitness Coach

Sarah owns a CrossFit affiliate and coaches HYROX teams in her off-hours. She has been in the functional fitness space for nine years and writes about box-life logistics, custom team apparel, and the new wave of hybrid training.

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