Activewear Apparel Supplier for Gyms: Sourcing, Pricing & Reorder Planning

# How to Source Activewear for Your Gym: Workflow, Price Breaks, and Reorder Planning You’re building a gym brand or launching an Amazon line, and you’ve already seen the cost of landing a single container of leggings. The question isn’t “can I get a sample?” — it’s “how long before I have 500 units shipped to my door, and what’s the real unit cost at 50 vs. 500 vs. 5,000?” That’s the kind of landed-cost and timeline decision that keeps founders up at night. We’ve been on the factory floor in Zhejiang for over 20 years, and we hear that question every day. This article walks through exactly how we work, what you’ll pay at different quantities, and how to plan reorders so you never run out of stock during a membership push or a Prime Day event. ## Sourcing workflow Our sourcing process is built for speed and transparency. We’re not a trading company — we own the cutting, sewing, and packing lines. Here’s the step-by-step workflow we use with every B2B client, whether you’re a gym owner ordering 30 team shirts or an Amazon seller placing 1,500 units. **Step 1: Inquiry and brief (day 0–1)** Send us your design files, photos of an existing garment, or even a sketch. Include target fabric (polyester is our primary, we also do nylon), color (Pantone reference is best), and any special features like compression panels or reflective trim. We reply within 24 hours — that’s a hard rule on our floor. **Step 2: Sample development (day 2–8)** Once we have your brief, we cut a sample. No MOQ for samples — you can order 1 piece. We ship the sample within 3–7 days. For a typical gym shirt or legging, we use a 180–220 GSM polyester interlock. If you need a specific weight, we adjust. You’ll receive the sample, check fit and finish, and we iterate as needed. **Step 3: Order confirmation and production (day 9–30/45)** After sample approval, you place the production order. For a mid-size order of 300 pieces, we deliver in 4–6 weeks. That’s our standard lead time. Smaller orders (under 100 pieces) can be as fast as 3 weeks. Larger orders (5,000+ pieces) take 6–8 weeks, but we can split shipments. **Step 4: Quality control and shipping** Our QC team inspects every garment — seam strength, color consistency, label placement. If you’re an Amazon seller, we can apply FBA labels directly at our factory and ship to Amazon warehouses. We handle the paperwork, you handle the sales. **Step 5: Reorder triggers (covered in section 4)** This workflow is the same whether you’re doing a private label or an OEM style. The key difference is the level of customization, which we’ll cover in the private label section. ## Price breaks Direct factory pricing depends on quantity, fabric, and customization level. We don’t hide behind a general “competitive pricing” claim — here are real numbers you can expect when you work with us. **Base pricing for a standard polyester gym shirt (180 GSM, short sleeve, no logo)** - 1–49 pieces: $12–15 per unit - 50–199 pieces: $9–11 per unit - 200–499 pieces: $7–9 per unit - 500–999 pieces: $5.50–7.50 per unit - 1,000+ pieces: $4.50–6.00 per unit **Pricing for a nylon compression legging (200 GSM, 4-way stretch, silicone gripper)** - 100–299 pieces: $14–18 per unit - 300–999 pieces: $11–14 per unit - 1,000+ pieces: $9–12 per unit These are unit prices (FOB Shanghai). Fabric upgrades (e.g., anti-odor finish, UPF 50+ treatment) add $0.50–2.00 per unit depending on quantity. Custom hang tags, barcode labels, and poly bags are included in the above ranges for orders over 200 pieces. **Key price break points:** - **50 units** is where per-unit savings start to appear (roughly 15–20% drop from sample price). - **300 units** is the sweet spot for most gym brands — you get a 30–40% reduction from the 50-unit price, and lead time stays at 4–6 weeks. - **1,000 units** unlocks the lowest tier. We can hold your fabric in stock for reorders. If you need a specific GSM, Pantone color, or a combination of fabrics, we can quote you within 24 hours. No hidden fees, no minimums for the first order. ## Private label at supplier tier “Private label” often means you’re stuck with a white-label catalog and a few logo options. At our factory, private label means you control every detail from the fabric composition to the thread color. We’re a true OEM/ODM factory — we don’t have a pre-made catalog you have to pick from. You bring your design, we build it. Here’s a comparison table of the customization options we offer: | Customization Type | What We Do | MOQ | Typical Cost Impact | |-------------------|------------|-----|---------------------| | Logo print (screen/heat transfer) | Any size, up to 5 colors | 1 piece | +$0.30–0.80 per unit | | Logo embroidery | Chest, sleeve, or back | 50 pieces | +$1.00–2.50 per unit | | Logo heat transfer (vinyl) | Small runs, multidimensional | 1 piece | +$0.50–1.20 per unit | | Wash care label / neck label | Your brand name, composition info | 100 pieces | +$0.10–0.20 per unit | | Hang tag | Custom design, string attach | 100 pieces | +$0.05–0.15 per unit | | Pantone color matching | Any color, we match to fabric | 1 piece | No extra charge for standard colors | | FBA labeling | Pre-apply Amazon barcode | 1 piece | +$0.05 per unit | We don’t charge setup fees for most customization. For example, if you want a heat-pressed logo on 50 shirts, the cost is the per-unit charge plus the sample fee if you need a proof. The sample itself is already included in the 3–7 day window. **Private label process:** 1. You send us your design (artwork, color codes, size chart). 2. We develop a sample with your chosen logo method and label details. 3. We send the sample with a mockup of the hang tag and care label. 4. Once approved, we produce your full order — with your branding on every garment. This is the same process used by gyms that want their own merch line, Amazon sellers who need a differentiated product, and startups that want to test a new style without buying 1,000 units. ## Reorder planning The worst feeling for a gym owner is running out of your best-selling leggings right before a new membership drive. For Amazon sellers, a stockout during a sales spike can kill your ranking for weeks. Reorder planning is where factory relationships matter most. **Our reorder lead time:** - After you place a reorder, we ship the sample (if style changed) in 3–7 days. - Production time for a reorder of 300 pieces is 4–6 weeks, same as the first order. - For reorders of the same style, color, and size mix, we can often cut the production time to 3–4 weeks because we already have the patterns and cutting dies. **Recommended reorder triggers:** - **Safety stock level:** Keep 4–6 weeks of inventory on hand. If you sell 200 units per month, reorder when you have 200–300 units left. - **Seasonal lead time:** Our production is busiest from February–April (spring) and August–October (fall). Plan reorders 8 weeks ahead during those peaks. - **Amazon FBA:** If you’re using FBA, factor in 2–3 weeks for inbound shipping. Reorder when your inventory in Amazon’s warehouse drops below 50% of your 30-day sales forecast. **How we support reorder planning:** - We hold your fabric for 3 months after the first order, so reorders can skip the fabric procurement step. - We keep your patterns and size specs on file for 12 months. - We send a reminder email 6 weeks before we estimate you’ll need a reorder, based on your order history. **Example reorder schedule:** - **Month 1:** Place initial order of 500 units (delivery month 2). - **Month 2:** Receive order, start selling. - **Month 3:** Sell 200 units, reorder 300 units (delivery month 5). - **Month 5:** Receive reorder, sell 200 more, still have 400 in stock. - **Month 6:** Reorder 500 units to prepare for fall season. You can adjust based on actual sales velocity. We’re flexible — no minimum reorder quantity (1 piece is fine if you need a sample, but for production we recommend at least 50 pieces to keep per-unit cost low). ## FAQ **What is the MOQ?** Our MOQ is 1 piece. You can order a single sample or a single production garment. There is no minimum order quantity. However, for production orders, we recommend at least 50 pieces to achieve reasonable per-unit pricing. For smaller quantities, the unit price will be higher, but we are happy to manufacture any quantity. **What is the sampling timeline?** We ship samples within 3–7 days from the time we receive your design details and approval. For a standard sample (e.g., a basic polyester shirt), we usually ship within 3–5 days. For complex styles with multiple colors or special fabrics, it may take 7 days. After you approve the sample, production for a 300-piece order takes 4–6 weeks. **Do you offer FBA labeling?** Yes. We can apply Amazon FBA labels directly at our factory before shipping. You just give us the label file, and we handle the application. No extra charge for the service for orders over 100 pieces. **Can I get a quote for a custom design?** Yes. Send your design file or a photo of the garment you want to replicate, along with your target quantity and fabric preference, to support@alpinario.com. We will respond with a detailed quote within 24 hours. **What payment terms do you accept?** We accept T/T (bank transfer), PayPal for small orders, and Western Union for sample payments. For production orders over $3,000, we typically require 30% deposit and 70% balance before shipment. We can discuss terms for repeat customers. --- **Ready to start your activewear line?** No matter your order size — from a single sample to a full container — we’re here to help you with a transparent sourcing workflow, clear price breaks, and reorder planning that keeps your stock steady. [Request a Quote](mailto:support@alpinario.com) and we’ll get back to you within 24 hours. *Learn more about our [low MOQ sportswear](/low-moq-sportswear) and [private label activewear](/private-label-activewear) options.*