It’s hard to believe that a billion-dollar fitness brand like Gymshark started from a small UK garage.
Yet within a decade, it became one of the most recognizable names in fitness apparel — loved by influencers, athletes, and gym-goers worldwide.
As someone who works in the fitness apparel manufacturing industry, I’ve followed Gymshark’s growth closely.
Here’s my first-hand, simple breakdown of how a small idea turned into a global movement.
Gymshark began in 2012, when Ben Francis, a 19-year-old college student in Birmingham, UK,
started printing gym logos on T-shirts in his parents’ garage.
| Year | Milestone | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Brand founded | Ben Francis starts sewing gym wear manually |
| 2013 | First viral moment | Exhibited at BodyPower Expo — massive exposure |
| 2014–2016 | Influencer boom | Collaborations with fitness YouTubers |
| 2020 | Valuation over $1.4 billion | Officially joins the “unicorn club” |
💡 The brand wasn’t built overnight — it was built through focus, feedback, and community.
Long before “influencer marketing” became mainstream, Gymshark was already doing it right.
As someone who works with fitness creators, I can say Gymshark’s strategy was genius:
It didn’t buy fame — it built relationships.
Many think Gymshark’s success came only from marketing, but product engineering played an equally crucial role.
| Feature | Description | User Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Seamless knitting | Reduces friction and enhances flexibility | Comfortable for long workouts |
| 4-way stretch fabric | Nylon-Spandex blend | Moves with your body |
| Sculpting compression | Contours body shape | Flattering fit for camera and gym |
| Affordable pricing | Mid-tier cost with premium look | Ideal for young audiences |
🧵 From a manufacturer’s view, this balance between cost and performance is extremely rare — and that’s why it worked.
Gymshark didn’t just sell clothes — it sold identity.
💬 Gymshark didn’t chase trends — it created one.
After dominating social media, Gymshark scaled its reach globally.
| Region | Entry Year | Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| US Market | 2015 | Partnered with American influencers |
| Europe | 2016–2018 | Expanded distribution centers |
| Asia-Pacific | 2019 | Focused on eCommerce and logistics |
| Global HQ | 2021 | Opened new Birmingham campus |
Gymshark never opened mass retail stores — it stayed direct-to-consumer (DTC) to maintain full brand control and higher margins.
As someone who helps brands build activewear collections, here’s what Gymshark taught the entire industry:
💡 In short: it’s not about having the biggest budget — it’s about understanding your audience.
| Factor | Gymshark | Nike / Adidas | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2012 | 1960s | Modern digital-first |
| Marketing Focus | Influencers, social media | Celebrity sponsorships | Relatability wins |
| Sales Channel | DTC eCommerce | Retail & eCommerce | Higher profit margins |
| Target Audience | Gen Z & Millennials | All ages | Niche community focus |
| Production | Outsourced (China/Asia) | Outsourced (Asia) | Similar quality network |
✅ Gymshark succeeded by being agile and authentic — something big brands struggle to do quickly.
Q1. How did Gymshark start?
Gymshark started in 2012 in a UK garage by Ben Francis, hand-sewing gym apparel.
Q2. Is Gymshark made in the UK?
No, most production happens in Asia (China, Bangladesh, Vietnam), but the brand is UK-owned.
Q3. What made Gymshark go viral?
Its influencer-first approach and community-driven content made it stand out early.
Q4. How fast did Gymshark grow?
It hit £100M in sales within 7 years — without retail stores.
At FuKiGymwear.com, we help brands build their own success stories like Gymshark —
offering OEM & ODM manufacturing for custom fitness apparel.
Our services include:
If you’re a new fitness brand or influencer,
we can help you design, prototype, and scale your activewear line — just like Gymshark did from its garage days.
👉 Ready to start your own Gymshark-style brand?
Visit FuKiGymwear.com to create your custom fitness apparel today.