Ryderwear has become one of the most well-known names in gymwear, especially among weightlifters and bodybuilding fans.
But how did this Australian fitness brand actually start—and what led to its global success?
As someone experienced in sportswear manufacturing at FuKi Gymwear,
I’ll walk you through Ryderwear’s origin story, its growth, and what brands can learn from it.
Ryderwear was founded in 2009 in Adelaide, South Australia, by David and Natalie Lukic.
They saw a gap in the market for stylish yet functional gymwear designed for bodybuilders and strength athletes.
Starting with lifting shoes and tanks, Ryderwear grew into a global fitness brand known for bold design, performance fabrics, and a loyal gym community.
In 2009, fitness enthusiast David Lukic noticed most gymwear brands focused on casual fitness, not bodybuilding.
He and his wife Natalie decided to create apparel that fit and performed specifically for lifters.
With limited resources, they started Ryderwear from their garage in Adelaide, testing early designs on local athletes.
“We wanted clothes that looked great but could handle a heavy squat session,” David once explained.
Their personal background in gym training gave the brand authentic credibility from day one.
| Problem in Market | Ryderwear’s Solution |
|---|---|
| Loose, generic gymwear not fit for bodybuilding | Tailored fits to highlight muscle and form |
| Lack of durable lifting shoes | Specialized gym sneakers with stable soles |
| No brand identity for strength culture | Bold, confident aesthetic with community appeal |
As someone who has worked with activewear startups, this is a classic case of solving a niche problem that mainstream brands overlooked.
The founders reinvested profits into R&D, marketing, and global eCommerce, scaling without outside investors.
Ryderwear gradually evolved from an Australian garage brand to an international fitness label.
Key growth drivers included:
This model allowed Ryderwear to compete with global players like Gymshark and Alphalete, while maintaining its niche bodybuilding DNA.
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2009 | Brand founded in Adelaide, Australia |
| 2013 | Launched first full gymwear collection |
| 2017 | Expanded internationally via eCommerce |
| 2020 | Opened U.S. distribution warehouse |
| 2023 | Introduced eco-friendly performance lines |
Each step reinforced Ryderwear’s commitment to combining fashion, fitness, and community.
Here’s what we can learn from Ryderwear’s success:
As a gymwear manufacturer, I often advise new brands to follow Ryderwear’s blueprint —
focus on your audience first, scale second.
Q1: When did Ryderwear start?
A: Ryderwear was founded in 2009 in Adelaide, South Australia.
Q2: Who started Ryderwear?
A: It was started by David and Natalie Lukic, a husband-and-wife team.
Q3: Is Ryderwear still Australian-owned?
A: Yes, it remains a privately-owned Australian brand with global operations.
Q4: What was Ryderwear’s first product?
A: Their first hit products were lifting shoes and gym tanks designed for bodybuilders.
If Ryderwear’s journey inspires you to create your own activewear label,
FuKi Gymwear can help turn that vision into reality.
We specialize in:
At FuKi Gymwear, we combine style, performance, and eco-conscious design —
helping new fitness brands grow sustainably, just like Ryderwear did.