Bear Grips Pro ShopsRecreational Gymnastics Program Merch: A Year-Round Gym Apparel Shop
- A real rec gym apparel program lives at one URL year-round.
- Parents order direct, gym banks the markup, no front-desk inventory.
- Five-figure annual gym revenue is typical for mid-size facilities.
- No upfront cost, no inventory risk, no chasing payments.
Rec gymnastics program merch is one of the most under-tapped revenue streams in the industry. Most gyms do one or two screen-print runs per year, hand out the tees at the showcase, and call it a program. The real operation runs a year-round shop with 10-20 SKUs, six theme drops per session, class shirts, coach apparel, and family gear. A 200-student gym running this properly clears $8,000-$20,000 in annual apparel revenue on top of tuition. Below is how the program actually runs.
The old way vs the new way
| Old way | Year-round program |
|---|---|
| One or two screen-print runs per year | Permanent shop with 10-20 SKUs |
| Front-desk inventory in size piles | Zero inventory, made to order |
| Cash collected at the desk | Parents pay at online checkout |
| $500-$2,000 annual revenue | $8,000-$20,000 annual revenue |
| Leftover smalls and XL stacked in back | Nothing leftover |
| One design per year | Class shirts + theme drops + showcase + staff |
How a parent uses the shop
- Parent enrolls kid in a session, gets the shop link in the welcome email
- Browses the catalog (class tee for her age group, gym hoodie, family tee)
- Picks sizes, optional gymnast name, pays at checkout
- Order ships to home in about a week
- Kid wears the gym tee to class, gym tee in town, gym hoodie all winter
The gym staff never touches the order. Front desk does not collect cash. Coaches do not chase payments.
Bear Grips Pro Shops: Custom Apparel for Your Team. No Minimums. Free Shipping.The 6-month rotation that keeps revenue flowing
| Month | Apparel drop |
|---|---|
| January | Spring session class shirts |
| February | Valentine theme tee |
| March | Spring break camp shirt |
| April | Spring showcase apparel |
| May | Summer session class shirts |
| July | USA / Camp / Glow Week |
| August | Fall session class shirts |
| October | Halloween theme tee |
| November | Showcase apparel |
| December | Holiday gift drop |
Each drop has a 10-21 day listing window. Permanent gym-brand apparel stays live year-round underneath the drops.
How the gym pays itself
The gym sets retail price on every item. Default: base plus $10-$20. The markup on each sale is paid to the gym weekly via direct deposit. The gym uses the income for studio rent, coach raises, new equipment, or operational reserves.
How to launch the program in one week
- Day 1: open a free Pro Shops account, upload gym logo
- Day 2: add 8 starter products with retail markups
- Day 3: design a class shirt and a gym hoodie
- Day 4: email all enrolled parents the shop link
- Day 5: post on gym Instagram and Facebook
- Day 6: put a QR code poster at the front desk
- Day 7: track first orders, plan next drop
Launch a Rec Gym Apparel Program
Permanent gym shop, year-round drops, parent-direct orders. No inventory, no front-desk admin.
Start FreeFrequently Asked Questions
Does the gym need a separate bank account for merch revenue?
No. Direct deposit lands in the existing gym operating account.
How many SKUs is the right starting point?
8 to 12 SKUs at launch. Add theme drops and showcase pieces from there.
What if a parent returns an item?
Returns and reprints for defects are handled through the platform, not the gym.
How many orders does a real rec gym do per year?
A 200-student gym typically does 600-1,500 apparel orders per year once the program is mature.
