How to Add Plus-Size Sizing to Your Gym's Existing Merch Shop
Quick Answer- How to start a plus size clothing business is a common search, but most gyms already have a shop and only need to retrofit it.
- A four-step audit finds the gaps in an existing lineup without starting over.
- Nothing needs to be reprinted or discounted. New products slot into the same shop, same pricing model.
- A short member announcement closes the loop once the new sizing lineup goes live.
How to start a plus size clothing business and how to start a plus size clothing store are both common searches, but most gyms reading this already run a Bear Grips Pro Shop. The real question is not how to start from zero, it is how to audit what is already listed and add what is missing without treating it like a separate launch. Here is the four-step version, built for a gym owner who wants this handled in one sitting rather than a full afternoon.
Step 1: Audit the Current Lineup
Open your shop and check the size chart on every listed product. Note which items only show a size range through large or extra-large versus which run wider. Most gyms find their tee lineup is fine and their leggings or fitted tank lineup is the actual gap. This step alone usually takes ten minutes and tells you exactly what to add.
Step 2: Add the Gap Products, Not a Whole New Line
- Add a relaxed or unisex cut alongside a fitted one. A relaxed tee or flowy tank next to your existing fitted styles covers more bodies without pulling the fitted style down.
- Check leggings and biker shorts specifically. These tend to have the widest range difference across styles in the catalog. See the leggings design guide for the specific styles that run widest.
- Do not create a separate "plus" collection page. List the products in your normal catalog. A separate section signals the shop was not built with everyone in mind from the start.
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Step 3: Price Every Size the Same
Set one retail price per product, regardless of size selected. Do not add an upcharge for larger sizes. A size surcharge is one of the fastest ways to lose a member's repeat business and it shows up publicly in reviews. Bear Grips VIP plans start at $59/month for 200 live products with the lowest base prices, which leaves plenty of room to price consistently and still hit a $10 default profit target per item.
Step 4: Tell Members Once, Clearly
A single announcement in your gym newsletter, class app, or front-desk sign is enough. Something like: "Our merch shop now covers a wider size range on tanks and leggings. Check the size chart on each product page, everyone pays the same price." No relaunch event needed. Set up or update the shop at Bear Grips Pro Shops and members will notice the new options the next time they browse.
Audit and Update Your Shop
Add the gap products, keep one price per size, tell members once. No minimum, no upfront cost.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to start a whole new shop for this?
No. If you already run a Bear Grips Pro Shop, this is an audit and a few added products, not a relaunch.
Should I create a separate plus-size section?
No. List the wider-range products in your normal catalog alongside everything else rather than segmenting them into their own section.
How much does it cost to add a few products?
Free plan shops list 3 products at $0/month. Self-Service VIP runs $59/month for 200 live products. Adding a few items is usually just a matter of listing space, not extra cost.
What is the single biggest gap most gyms find?
Fitted tanks and leggings, more often than tees. Tees tend to run a wider range across brands already.
Bria HendersonCombat Sports Coach (Striking)
Bria is a former amateur boxer and current Muay Thai coach. She runs the striking program at a combat sports academy in Detroit and writes about gym identity, fight night apparel, and the womens combat sports growth wave.
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