Opening a new BJJ or MMA gym involves a long list of decisions — and apparel and protective gear inventory is one area where new gym owners often underestimate the planning needed. This checklist covers what to order before opening day, in what quantities, and how to set up a profitable pro shop from day one.
1. Training Apparel — What Members Need First
- BJJ Gis: If running a BJJ program, stock rental/loaner gis in common sizes (A1–A4) for trial students who don't own one yet.
- Rash Guards: Essential for no-gi and MMA classes. Stock both short and long sleeve in S–XXL.
- Fight Shorts / Grappling Shorts: Needed for no-gi and MMA training — stock M, L, XL as the highest-demand sizes.
2. Protective Gear Inventory
| Item | Recommended Starting Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Boxing/MMA Gloves (training pairs) | 15–20 pairs | Mix of 12–16 oz, sizes S–XL |
| Focus Mitts & Pads | 6–10 sets | For coach-led pad work |
| Headgear | 8–12 units | For sparring classes |
| Shin Guards | 10–15 pairs | If offering Muay Thai/MMA striking |
| Hand Wraps | 30–50 pairs | Retail-ready, students buy their own |
3. Muay Thai Specific Gear (If Offering Striking Classes)
- Thai pads (4–6 sets for coach-led sessions)
- Shin guards and elbow pads for sparring
- Ankle supports for kicking-focused training
4. Building a Profitable Pro Shop
A retail pro shop is one of the easiest ways to generate ongoing revenue beyond membership fees. Members consistently need to replace or upgrade their own gear, and buying from the gym is more convenient than shopping online.
- Branded Gis and Rash Guards: Your own gym logo on apparel builds visibility both in and outside the gym.
- Branded Gloves: Custom colored gloves with your gym name create a professional, unified look in classes.
- Apparel for Casual Wear: T-shirts and hoodies with your logo extend your brand outside training hours.
5. Private Label Branding for Your Gym
Rather than reselling generic gear, most gym owners get significantly better margins and brand recognition by ordering custom branded apparel and gear directly from a manufacturer under their own gym name. This requires no minimum design fee when ordering through a manufacturer that offers logo embroidery, sublimation, and custom packaging as part of the wholesale order.
6. Starter Budget Planning
| Category | Estimated Starting Order |
|---|---|
| Training Apparel (Gis, Rash Guards, Shorts) | 80–120 pieces total |
| Gloves & Protective Gear | 40–60 pieces total |
| Pro Shop Retail Stock | 50–100 pieces total |
Exact quantities should be adjusted based on expected member count and class schedule at launch.
7. Ordering Timeline Before Opening Day
Custom branded apparel and gear takes time to produce and ship internationally. Plan to place your initial wholesale order at least 6–8 weeks before your planned opening date to account for production, quality checks, and shipping.
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