The activewear and gym clothing industry has seen a significant surge in popularity in recent years, with more and more people prioritizing fitness and wellness in their daily lives.
As a result, the market for those products has grown exponentially, with the United States leading the way as the largest player. According to Statista, the activewear industry is expected to generate more than $85 billion in the US alone.
For merchants looking to capitalize on this booming market, choosing the right manufacturer is crucial. But with so many options out there, how do you know which one to trust?
In this blog post, we’ve compiled a list of the 19 best active gym wear manufacturers in the USA along with their pros and cons to help you easily make an informed decision.
Best USA Manufacturers Of Custom Fitness Wear & Athletic Clothing
Here’re the 19 best custom activewear & fitness apparel manufacturers in the USA.
1. Bella+Canvas
Established in 1988, Bella+Canvas is the best sustainable wholesale clothing manufacturer in the USA, offering premium blank activewear that can be completely personalized to your needs or made ready for sewing on your branded labels.
The customization options range from patterns, color, stitching, to fabric. The development process includes custom lab dips, tech packs, and development sample approval.
Bella+Canvas owns massive production facilities in Los Angeles that use 7x less water than the average garment producer and recycle pretty much everything that can’t be turned into garments.
In addition, Bella+Canvas’s supply chain partners are carefully evaluated based on quality, price, speed, and a shared vision around environmental and social responsibility as well as fair working conditions.
Pros
- No minimum for in-stock blank clothes.
- 50% off on up to 7 blank product samples per calendar year (only available to customers with a valid resale certificate).
- Accept credit cards, PayPal, and bank transfers.
Cons
- The minimum number of items for custom orders starts at 25,000 units per style/color.
- The development process takes 1-3 weeks and the production times start at 2 weeks.
- Do not ship to PO boxes or APO/FPO addresses.
- You have to contact the company to assess and arrange shipments outside the USA.
2. Royal Apparel
Royal Apparel is a leading custom gym clothing & athleisure manufacturer located in New York, United States.
It started in the early 90s offering private-label knitwear to luxury stores, national fashion brands, and big retailers. Nowadays, Royal Apparel’s products are picked by musicians, artists, wellness brands, entrepreneurs, Fortune 500 corporations, the tech industry, national parks, museums, breweries, wineries, and restaurants.
Regarding customization options & services, they include colors, patterns, fabrics, pigment dye, labels, screen printing, embroidery, and graphic designs.
Pros
- No minimum for in-stock blanks.
- International delivery via FedEx and UPS.
- Free freight shipping on stocked orders over $350 (within the continental US only).
- Approved wholesale accounts can order 7 blank product samples per calendar year at a 15% discount.
- Activewear dropshipping services.
- You can pay with all major credit cards, certified checks, and money orders.
Cons
- Custom order minimums range from 1200-2400 units, per style and color.
- The lead time is 8-10 weeks from the date your samples are approved.
3. Nikibiki
Founded in 2001, Nikibiki is a US leader in women’s seamless activewear manufacturing, including crop tops, camis, tanks, biker shorts, yoga capris, and high-waist leggings in sizes from standard to plus.
All of its items are crafted in Los Angeles, California, using super soft & lightweight fabric built on top of a refined production process and a meticulous quality check stage to ensure the highest standard of quality.
The customization services provided by Nikibiki are custom clothing labels, colors, styles, and price tags.
Pros
- International delivery.
- Free shipping for online domestic in-stock orders over $500.
- Accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover.
Cons
- A minimum of $100 per order and 5 pieces per color for ready-made products.
- A minimum of 50 pieces per style per color for custom/private-label orders.
- The average lead time is about 4-6 weeks.
4. Expert Brand
Expert Brand is the next leading manufacturer of eco-friendly US-made athletic wear & workout garments, including short sleeves, long sleeves, tank tops, polos, sports bras, hoodies & sweatshirts, track & training jackets, shorts, pants, and leggings for both adults and children.
It started in 1993 creating technical performance fabric for famous brands. Since then, the company has combined expert engineering and an eco-conscious approach to craft elevated basics that meet the rigorous demands of professional athletes and the armed forces.
Pros
- No minimum for in-stock items.
- Free shipping in the continental USA for catalog orders over $500.
- Accept all major credit cards (Discover, American Express, Visa, and Mastercard), PayPal, and Google Pay.
Cons
- A minimum of 144 units for custom neck or logo prints on stocked blanks, 1500-3000 units for custom colors, and 3000-5000 units for custom styles.
- If you’re an overseas customer, you will need to arrange your own shipping carrier.
5. LA Speedy
LA Speedy is a wholesale fitness apparel & athletic clothing manufacturer that is also located in Los Angeles, USA.
Its product line includes men’s & women’s t-shirts, sweatpants, gym shorts, crewnecks, and hoodies. They are available for services such as pattern-making, sampling, grading, fabric sourcing, marking, cutting, sewing, trimming, steam pressing, product photography, and printing/embroidery/sublimation.
Having over 20 years of production experience along with a vertically integrated manufacturing factory, LA Speedy is able to provide the newest styles quickly and ensure the quality of products.
Pros
- No minimums for stocked items.
- Payment via major credit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Meta Pay, and Shop Pay.
Cons
- The MOQ for custom orders is 100-5,000 pieces. Any orders below 100 pieces per color & style are subject to a $50 cutting fee.
- The production phase requires at least 10-15 business days.
- Not shipping globally.
6. Quality Blank
Quality Blank carries men’s street-style active clothes & athleisure wear that are produced from custom-made 100% luxury quality cotton fabrics developed sustainably and free from harmful substances and chemicals.
This USA manufacturer is headquartered in Los Angeles, CA.
Pros
- Worldwide shipping.
- Full-service production (DTG, screen printing, embroidery, sublimation, private labeling, and custom designs).
- Accept common credit cards and bank wire transfers.
Cons
- The MOQ for wholesale stocked orders is 30 units.
- An MOQ of 60-100 units for custom cut & sew orders.
- Production times are 2-3 weeks.
7. Cotton Heritage
Cotton Heritage features athletic apparel & gym clothing like short-sleeve t-shirts, long-sleeve t-shirts, sleeveless tops, fleece hoodies, shorts, and joggers that are available for private-label/custom programs.
It’s a mill-direct & WRAP-certified bulk manufacturer with USA warehouses in Dallas TX, Los Angeles CA, and Ridgeway VA.
Pros
- No minimum for stocked orders.
- Free UPS ground shipping on catalog orders from $250.
- Generous pricing and freight discounts based on order quantity.
- Payment methods include major credit cards, company checks, and COD.
Cons
- The minimum for custom orders is 600-1200 pieces.
- Production turnaround times are 90-120 days.
- Need to contact the customer service team to arrange international shipments.
8. Bomme Studio
Bomme Studio is the next leading bulk manufacturer headquartered in the United States, offering full-service development, sourcing, and production for yoga wear and sportswear as well as other types of clothes like swimwear and kids’ clothing.
The company owns and operates manufacturing sites in California and Mexico, with an additional sourcing office in South Korea to ensure you get competitive costs at the highest quality available.
Pros
- Digital marketing agency services, including Shopify website building, product photography/video content, SEO, paid advertising, email marketing, brand coaching, etc.
- Payment can be made through Visa, MasterCard, Affinity Card, American Express, and PayPal.
Cons
- For custom production orders, the MOQ is 150 units per style.
- The MOQ for private-label blanks programs is 50 units per style.
- Sample development takes 4-6 weeks to complete.
- Production takes 10-12 weeks from the time your sample is approved.
9. Lefty Production Co
Lefty Production Co is another trustworthy workout clothing & athletic wear manufacturer based in the heart of Los Angeles, United States.
The company has collaborated with some famous fashion brands like Matthew Williamson, Rosetta Getty, Christian Siriano, Nordstrom, and Neiman Marcus.
When working with Lefty, you’re provided with one-stop OEM/ODM service, from sketching, designing, fabric & trim sourcing, pattern making, branding, virtual 3D sampling, marking & grading, cutting, size testing, to production, laser cutting, and packing.
Pros
- Deliver to the USA, UK, Canada, Denmark, Switzerland, and France.
- Consulting and website development services.
- Pay with credit/debit cards.
Cons
- A MOQ of 300 pieces.
- Not delivering globally.
10. Affix Apparel
Affix Apparel is an active fitness clothing & sports apparel manufacturer in the US with over 10 years of experience serving both small and large fashion brands.
It provides various services, including material sourcing, grading, pattern designing, sampling sizing, cut & sew manufacturing, all-over sublimation printing, screen printing, embroidery, and private labeling like custom woven labels, satin labels, hangtags, and heat transfer labels.
Pros
- Global delivery.
- Accept credit cards, debit cards, bank checks, money orders, and cash.
Cons
- A MOQ of 50+ pieces.
- Lead times are between 2-6 weeks.
11. ARGYLE Haus
ARGYLE Haus is a USA design house and manufacturing company of custom athletic & yoga clothes.
Since its inception in 2010, it has been offering one-stop services to 100+ established designers, growth-stage companies, and national brands.
Pros
- Services include technical fashion design, research & concept development, fabric & material selection, pattern development, sampling & prototyping, cutting & sewing, private labeling, quality control & evaluation, marketing & promotion, etc.
- Support major credit card payment methods.
Cons
- High MOQ (starting from 300 pieces).
12. Augusta Sportswear
Augusta Sportswear designs, manufactures, and wholesales high-performance made-in-USA activewear & workout clothes for a variety of sports (baseball, basketball, football, tennis, etc.) with features like sun-protective, quick-dry, odor-resistant, stain-resistant, snag-proof, stretchable, and ultra-durable.
Established in 1997, this manufacturing firm is now the home of a family of brands (Augusta, Holloway, High Five, Russell Athletic, CCM, and Pacific Headwear) offering a complete source of apparel for athletics, teams, coaches, fans, and printing needs.
Augusta Sportswear currently has offices, production facilities, and distribution centers in Grovetown GA, Sidney OH, Coburg OR, and South Boston VA.
Pros
- There is no MOQ for blank stock items, and custom orders require a minimum of only 12-24 pieces.
- In-stock product orders over $200 qualify for free delivery.
- Support Visa, Mastercard, AMEX, Discover, and payment terms.
Cons
- Only accepting USA & Canadian customers.
- Production times are 10-20 business days.
13. Founder Sport
Founder Sport Group is the home of multiple fitness gym wear & sports apparel producers based in the USA, including Badger Sport, Alleson Athletic, ProSphere Athletic, and Garb Athletics.
It has a performance lab that tests, stretches, matches, washes, tries to pill, snags, and fades fabrics to ensure they meet the highest standard of quality.
Pros
- No minimum order requirement for stocked blanks. 6-piece minimum for custom sublimation.
- Free freight on both custom & stocked orders $200+.
- Customizable product templates and white-label catalogs with your branding.
- Pay with major credit cards.
Cons
- Not providing advanced production services like cutting & sewing, private labeling, etc.
14. A4 Apparel
A4 Apparel has over 40 years of industry experience manufacturing athletic clothing for basketball, baseball, softball, football, soccer, track/race, lacrosse, and volleyball.
This US company designs, cuts, and sews everything in Los Angeles’ headquarters and ships goods from warehouses in California and Missouri.
Pros
- No minimum order to purchase stocked blanks.
- In-stock orders over $150 qualify for free delivery.
- Many marketing resources, such as custom flyers, branded catalogs, and image & data feeds.
- Payment via MasterCard, Visa, Discover, and American Express.
Cons
- Limited decoration & manufacturing solutions.
15. Made Blanks
Made Blanks features vintage-style active gym wear & workout suits.
Founded in 2014, it’s a US-based wholesale manufacturer with a mission to consistently innovate the quality and fit of staple pieces.
Pros
- No order minimums for catalog products.
- Pay online with major credit/debit cards.
Cons
- Limited custom production services.
- Only shipping inside the US and Canada (excluding Puerto Rico).
16. Los Angeles Apparel
Los Angeles Apparel is a USA manufacturer of women’s sports bras, performance leggings, lounge pants, running shorts, workout one-pieces, men’s sweatpants, athletic hoodies, and more.
The company was established in 2016 by Dov Charney – the founder of American Apparel.
Nowadays, Los Angeles Apparel consists of about 1.8K+ employees that run a 100,000-sqft factory with a capacity of 140K+ units per week.
Pros
- No MOQ for in-stock blanks.
- Free shipping on catalog orders $75+ to the US, $100+ to Canada, and $120+ to other countries.
- Forms of payment are Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, JCB, China Union Pay, Diners Club, PayPal, Amazon Pay, and Apple Pay.
Cons
- Limited personalized manufacturing solutions.
17. Tokalon Clothing
Tokalon Clothing is a private-label premium activewear manufacturer with offices in the USA and main production sites in Columbia.
It has partnered with many large and small brands, such as iFIT, XSport Fitness, 24 Hour Fitness, 29029, etc.
Pros
- Services include pattern-making, fabric sourcing, sampling, trimming, decoration, care labeling, custom hang tags, poly bagging, etc.
- Accept all major credit/debit cards.
Cons
- The MOQ is 300 pieces per style.
- Lead times start from 9-13 weeks.
18. Seam Apparel
Seam Apparel is yet another gym & yoga clothing wholesale producer in Los Angeles, USA.
It has 10 years of garment production experience and is dedicated to serving both small startups and big brands.
Pros
- Worldwide shipping.
- Fabric/material sourcing, sampling, pattern making, sizing, grading, marking, etc.
- Accept all major credit cards, certified checks, and money orders.
Cons
- The minimum is 50 pieces.
- Long lead times.
19. Steve Apparel
The next worth-meaning fitness & sportswear supplier is Steve Apparel. Its manufacturing facility is situated in Karachi, Pakistan, while the company is registered in Ohio, United States.
Like many others on the list, Steve Apparel provides one-stop custom production, from fabric selection, prototyping, designing, customization, labeling, finishing, to packaging and shipping.
In addition, before the sample is made, the company will send you a mock-up and tech-pack file, containing all the details about size, color, fabric, measurements, colorways, materials used, packing instructions, and much more.
Pros
- Delivering worldwide via DHL, FedEx, and SkyNet.
- Accepted payment methods are debit cards, credit cards, bank transfers, PayPal, and Zelle.
Cons
- The MOQ is 50 units.
- Long sampling and production times.
How To Start An Online Custom Activewear & Gym Clothing Store In The US Without Buying In Bulk From Manufacturers
If you don’t want to invest a large amount of money upfront to buy inventory, you can still start an online custom activewear store by leveraging a fulfillment model called “print-on-demand.”
It’s a process in which a product is only printed with your own design and shipped to your customer after an order has been placed. This allows for greater flexibility and reduced costs, as there is no need to maintain inventory or pay for large runs in advance.
To start, check out the best print-on-demand partners to create and sell custom athletic clothing online.
The rightful owner of The Clever Business. I review & curate the leading suppliers so you don't waste time scouring the internet.