Bear Grips Pro ShopsRecreational Gymnastics Merch Profit Math: What a Real Apparel Program Makes
- An 80-student rec gym typically clears $4,000-$7,000 per year on apparel.
- A 200-student mid-size gym typically clears $10,000-$18,000.
- A 500-student facility typically clears $25,000-$45,000.
- Showcase drives 25-35% of total annual apparel revenue.
A real rec gymnastics merch program is not a side project. It is a parallel revenue stream that adds 5 to 10 percent to a gym annual top line on top of tuition. Below are the actual revenue numbers for rec gyms of three sizes (80-student, 200-student, 500-student), the per-item margins, and how the math plays out across the session calendar. The numbers are conservative.
Per-piece margin economics
| Item | VIP base | Common retail | Margin per piece |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cotton tee | $19.88 | $30-$35 | $10-$15 |
| Performance tee | $23.86 | $36-$42 | $12-$18 |
| Long sleeve tee | $29.88 | $45 | $15 |
| Comfort Soft Hoodie | $36.88 | $55-$60 | $18-$23 |
| Womens Cropped Hoodie | $47.88 | $68-$75 | $20-$27 |
| Signature Leggings | $54.88 | $75-$85 | $20-$30 |
| Sport-Tek polo | $34.88 | $50-$55 | $15-$20 |
80-student small studio annual revenue
| Source | Volume | Avg margin | Subtotal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class shirts (4 sessions, 50% buy) | 160 | $12 | $1,920 |
| Gym hoodie (50% buy) | 40 | $20 | $800 |
| Theme drops (4/yr, 30% buy) | 96 | $13 | $1,248 |
| Showcase tees + family kit | 120 | $15 | $1,800 |
| Family/sibling/parent gear | 50 | $15 | $750 |
| Annual total | 466 orders | $6,518 |
200-student mid-size gym annual revenue
| Source | Volume | Avg margin | Subtotal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class shirts (6 sessions, 60% buy) | 720 | $12 | $8,640 |
| Gym hoodie (55% buy) | 110 | $20 | $2,200 |
| Leggings (35% of older students) | 70 | $25 | $1,750 |
| Theme drops (6/yr, 35% buy) | 420 | $14 | $5,880 |
| Showcase tees + family kit | 320 | $16 | $5,120 |
| Family/sibling/parent gear | 200 | $15 | $3,000 |
| Coach/staff apparel | 50 | $15 | $750 |
| Holiday gift orders | 80 | $18 | $1,440 |
| Annual total | 1,970 orders | $28,780 |
Mid-size gyms with strong marketing typically land in the $15K-$30K range. The math here assumes a mature program in year 2 or beyond.
Bear Grips Pro Shops: Custom Apparel for Your Team. No Minimums. Free Shipping.500-student large facility annual revenue
| Source | Volume | Avg margin | Subtotal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class shirts (6 sessions, 65% buy) | 1,950 | $12 | $23,400 |
| Gym hoodie (60% buy) | 300 | $20 | $6,000 |
| Leggings (40% of teen/adult) | 200 | $25 | $5,000 |
| Theme drops (8/yr, 40% buy) | 1,600 | $14 | $22,400 |
| Showcase tees + family kit | 700 | $16 | $11,200 |
| Family/sibling gear | 500 | $15 | $7,500 |
| Adult class apparel | 250 | $20 | $5,000 |
| Coach/staff apparel | 120 | $15 | $1,800 |
| Holiday and gift | 200 | $18 | $3,600 |
| Annual total | 5,820 orders | $85,900 |
Large facilities running mature programs routinely land in this range.
What gyms do with the money
- Coach raises: rec gymnastics has low margins on tuition, apparel funds the staff retention
- New equipment: tumble tracks, foam pits, beams, refresh annually
- Studio rent buffer: 1-2 months of rent in reserve
- Marketing budget: paid ads, open house events
- Owner take-home: gym owners take 30-50% of the margin as additional income
Three ways to push past the baseline
- Build the teen and adult sections: higher per-piece margins, more impulse purchases
- Increase theme drop count: from 4 to 8 per year
- Promote the affiliate program: parents who refer the gym to other gym owners earn commission, drive more gym signups
Run the Numbers for Your Gym
Open a free shop, add your roster, watch the math compound. Parents order direct, gym banks markup.
Start FreeFrequently Asked Questions
Are these numbers realistic for a brand new shop?
Year one tends to land at 50-60 percent of these numbers. Year two and three hit the baseline. Year five and beyond exceed it as the brand compounds.
What is the single biggest revenue driver?
Class shirts. Every session, every level, parents buy. Theme drops and showcase are secondary multipliers.
Does the gym have to pay sales tax?
Sales tax is handled by the platform automatically. The gym does not handle it.
Can a gym lose money on this?
No. Zero unsold items, zero inventory commitment. The gym only earns, never owes. Free plan has zero monthly cost.
