Athletic apparel is one of the biggest markets in the fashion industry. Ever since 2022, the activewear market has been growing at a rate of 5.8%.
If you own a fashion business, tapping into the workout clothes market is profitable now and in the future. But fashion brands must choose the best athletic apparel wholesalers. Here are our picks for the 10 best wholesalers for workout clothes based on factors such as budget, location, and more.
1.Ludyway – Best Wholesale Athletic Apparel Vendor Overall
Ludyway has proved itself as one of the best wholesale athletic wear vendors. They offer a range of services for clients, from product design all the way to production.
Ludyway was founded in 2017 by experts with years’ worth of experience in the fashion industry. They have a production capability of 400,000 pieces per month and can create specific items in the wholesale athletic clothing category.
Aside from creating high-quality activewear, Ludyway produces many other types of garments for men, women, and kids. This is an added advantage for clothing wholesale businesses looking for a one-stop shop clothing manufacturer that creates other clothing aside from workout clothes.
Primary products
- Activewear
- Leggings
- T-shirts
- Hoodies
- Jeans
Pros
- High-quality clothing items
- Wide selection of clothing pieces
- Can produce 400,000 pieces a month
- Private labeling and OEM services
- Also a sustainable clothing manufacturer
Cons
- On-site inspection might be challenging as it is based in China.
Contact Ludyway to receive a quote for your activewear order.
2. AEL Apparel – Best for Wholesale Workout Clothes in China
If you’re looking for a sustainable clothing manufacturer that produces high-grade athletic and workout apparel for your wholesale business, consider working with AEL Apparel. They are a China-based manufacturer expert in designing and creating activewear apparel made with top-quality, durable materials.
AEL Apparel stands out with its athletic/activewear because of the antibacterial features that prevent wearers from having disease-causing bacteria after engaging in high-intensity workouts. Also, all AEL’s athletic apparel has a high moisture-wicking ability that comes in handy during outdoor activities, enabling the user’s body to cool down, especially during the warmer months.
Primary products
- Activewear
- T-shirts
- Hoodies
- Sweatshirts
- Denim wear
- Kids’ clothing
- Swimwear
Pros
- Moisture-wicking and anti-bacterial activewear
- Source high-quality and sustainable materials
- One-stop shop for wholesalers
Cons
- On-site inspection difficult for overseas clients
Visit AEL Apparel For Your High-quality Activewear Now!
3.S&G Apparel – Best Activewear Vendor in Los Angeles
If your business is based in LA, it can be difficult to find a local and affordable vendor. S&G Apparel is the solution to your problems. They offer deals, such as a free pack of leggings with orders over $300. This makes S&G Apparel one of the most profitable options for new and growing fashion businesses.
Primary products
- Leggings
- Joggers and sweatpants
- Activewear sets
- Shorts
Pros
- Follows fitness fashion trends
- Can make activewear items in all sizes
- Affordable
- Based in Los Angeles
- Worldwide shipping
Cons
- Strict return policy
Contact S&G Apparel if you’re looking for an affordable activewear wholesaler based in LA.
4.Stay in Warm Style – Best Workout Clothes Supplier for Low Prices
Stay in Warm Style not only offers low prices on their items but many of the products they sell are made in the USA. This wholesaler is the best option for new and small fashion businesses since they offer different discounts. They offer activewear in all sizes, including plus size.
Primary products
- Leggings
- Yoga shorts
- Activewear sets
Pros
- Stylish activewear
- Dropshipping option
- Risk-free guarantee
- Affordable
- Free shipping for one year
Cons
- Can only see prices if you’re a member
Elevate your fashion business with Stay in Warm Style.
5.Augusta Sportswear – Best Wholesale Sportswear for Customizable Options
If you need wholesale sports apparel for a team, customizations are integral. Fortunately, Augusta Sportswear offers an easy way to customize your team’s uniforms. They have a massive catalog of wholesale fitness clothing with different style variations for each item. Teams can choose the fabric, colors, and more.
Augusta Sportswear sells customizable clothing for youths and adults, and they sell clothing for men and women. Its items are perfect for all sports, and teams can filter clothing by sport on the website.
Primary products
- Jerseys
- Polos
- Fleece
- Pullovers
- Sports bras
Pros
- Massive product catalog
- Customizable items
- Sells items for all sports
- Youth and adult clothing
- Sells sports accessories
Cons
- Expensive
Visit the Augusta Sportswear website to start the customization process.
6.Tasha Apparel – Best Fitness Clothing Dropshipping Vendor
If you own a dropshipping clothing business, Tasha Apparel is the best pick. They make the dropshipping process extremely easy–all you have to do is create an account and choose the clothes you want to sell. Tasha Apparel has a massive selection of women’s clothing to sell via its dropshipping service, including stylish activewear items.
Primary products
- Dresses
- Tops
- Rompers and jumpers
- Matching sets
- Bottoms
Pros
- Easy dropshipping signup
- Affordable items
- Fast turnaround times
- Based in the USA
- No order minimums
Cons
- Dropshipping is only available to stores in the USA
- Limited activewear selection
To start dropshipping with Tasha Apparel, register for an account on their website.
7.Gym Clothes – Best Wholesale Gym Clothes for Both Men and Women
If your store targets serious athletes, you’ll want to choose Gym Clothes as your wholesale provider.
They sell items made with dry-fit materials that your customers will need for their sweaty workout sessions. Gym Clothes sells items for men and women and includes various items for both. Stores have the option to customize all items.
Primary products
- Tank tops
- Tracksuits
- Pants
- T-shirts
- Shorts
Pros
- Fitness clothing for men and women
- Also makes gym accessories
- Sustainable
- Private label services
- Worldwide shipping
Cons
- Only 10,000+ items in their inventory
Contact Gym Clothes if you’re interested in using their wholesale services.
8.S&S Activewear – Best Activewear Vendor for Large Distribution Centers
If your business sells a lot of inventory, you need an activewear wholesaler that can produce lots of products at once. If so, S&S Activewear should be your pick. S&S Activewear partners with some of the biggest brands, such as Adidas. They offer one and two-day delivery times.
Primary products
- Sweatshirts
- T-shirts
- Long-sleeves
- Tank tops
- Sports bras
Pros
- Partner with some of the biggest brands
- USA made
- Eco-friendly business
- Additional services, such as custom website creation
- 1-2 day delivery
Cons
- Prices can change without notice
Contact S&S Activewear if you want to place an order.
9.Blue Associates Sportswear – Best Wholesale Sportswear for Sustainability
If sustainability is a big priority for your business, you’ll need a wholesale sports clothing partner with the same ethics. If this concerns you, you’ll want to choose Blue Associates Sportswear as your wholesaler. They offer sustainable fabrics, and all their products are made in England, where they produce and recycle all items.
Primary products
- Gloves
- Hats and caps
- Tops
- Shorts
- Jackets
Pros
- Sustainable fabrics
- Solutions for startups
- Also works with established brands
- A huge network of fabric mills
- Fairly priced
Cons
- Production time can take weeks
Contact Blue Associates Sportswear if you’re looking for a sustainable sportswear company.
10.Hingto – Best Wholesale Activewear Vendor for High Repeat Order Rate
Ideally, your business will want to stick with the first vendor you choose, especially if you expect to order thousands of items monthly. If this sounds like you, you’ll want to choose Hingto. They make over 100,000 pieces monthly and boast a 92% repeat order rate, which is why they have worked with major brands such as Adidas and Speedo.
Primary products
- Sports bras
- T-shirts
- Tank tops
- Leggings
- Capris
Pros
- Sells apparel for all fitness types
- Worked with some of the biggest fitness brands
- Can produce 100,000 pieces/month
- Brandable and custom options
- Based in Sydney and China
Cons
- Can’t view the catalog unless you sign up
Get Hingto’s high-quality activewear for your business today.
How Do I Start a Fitness Clothing Line?
While all fitness clothing lines differ, most entrepreneurs follow the same steps to create and establish their brands. These include:
1. Research the market and choose a niche – you’ll also want to know what’s available and what isn’t in your market.
2. Choose which products to sell – all fitness activities have different apparel needs. Whether catering to jogging or yoga enthusiasts, you’ll want to sell the right clothing and accessories that your consumers demand. These can include sweat-wicking fabrics and flexible, stretchy clothing.
3. Create a business strategy – this plan outlines all aspects of running a fitness clothing company. These points can include product fulfillment, shipping, and your customer service strategy. You’ll also want to include financial information, such as startup costs and an investing strategy.
4. Develop your brand – your brand includes all the aspects that make your business unique, such as your name, visual aesthetics, and tone when writing website content or speaking to customers.
5. Select a marketplace to sell on – there are many e-commerce platforms, and you should research these options before choosing one. You’ll also want to know where your target market shops; for example, will they buy from your online store or Amazon? You should also decide if your business will be fully online or if you should also open a brick-and-mortar store.
6. Create a marketing strategy – your marketing strategy should include advertising, organic tactics, social media, and the marketing tools you’ll use.
7. Collect data – you should collect data on third parties influencing your business, such as athletes, influencers, clothing manufacturers, and competitors.
How Do I Choose the Right Wholesale Activewear Vendor for My Business?
If you recently started your activewear business, you’re probably overwhelmed by all your wholesale options.
To choose the right vendor, you’ll first want to consider the cost. You’ll want to choose a wholesaler with reasonable prices that will work with your budget.
Next, you’ll want to consider the items and if they’re stylish. Bonus points if the vendor follows the latest fashion trends!
Experience is also a major consideration. You’ll want to enter a long-term partnership with your vendor, so choosing a company with lots of experience and a positive repeat order rate is crucial.
You’ll also want to consider other ethics, such as sustainability. This means the company sourced its materials according to environmental standards, and every step of the production process is sustainable.
Learn more: How to Find The Best Clothing Manufacturer For Your Business >>
How Can I Negotiate the Best Pricing and Terms With Athletic Apparel Suppliers?
Even if you find a solid company, you may not fully agree with their pricing or other terms. Before signing any contracts, try to negotiate. First, be clear about your priorities. Wholesalers love working with transparent and organized businesses, so be honest about your needs.
If you’re a startup, inform them you’re under budget constraints, but prove that you’re still worth the investment. You can prove this with crowdfunding, pre-orders, and any marketing wins (such as high website traffic and lots of social media engagement) that can prove credibility.
As with all negotiations, always be courteous. Remember that your wholesaler also has a business to run, and they may disagree with your terms. If this happens, think if they’re worth the partnership or if you need to work with a more flexible wholesaler.
What Are the Typical Lead Times for Wholesale Activewear Orders?
This depends on the company. Some wholesalers can complete orders in one month, while others may need several months. There are also wholesalers who work faster than this. For example, Ludyway can fulfill orders in 7-20 days.
How Do I Ensure Quality Control When Working With Wholesale Sportswear Vendors?
While all of these manufacturers offer the highest quality services and fitness clothing, there are best practices that clothing brands should take when choosing a vendor.
- Establish your clothing standards immediately – this can include material, fit, durability, and performance.
- Create a tech pack – a tech pack is documentation that details your ideal designs and usually includes reference materials and drawings.
- Test your design samples – request samples from vendors and run tests on them, such as seam, fit, and stretch tests.
- Create documentation and quality management systems – keep track of all remarks, comments, and amendments between you and the vendor.
- Be aware of potential issues – list common issues when working with vendors, and create a plan to solve them.
Conclusion
The athletic apparel industry is only becoming more profitable, making it a great market for fashion companies. But before selling fitness clothing, you must choose the best sportswear wholesale company. All these vendors offer different solutions for various stores, but they all offer high-quality items and have reputable names.
