Additional Revenue for Gyms: How Branded Shakers Boost Your Income
Additional Revenue for Gyms: How Branded Shakers Boost Your Income
Membership fees alone are no longer enough for many fitness studios to remain sustainably profitable. Rising rent, growing competition from budget chains, and seasonal fluctuations put operators under pressure. Meanwhile, enormous revenue potential sits right on the gym floor — and most studios completely ignore it: merchandise.
In this article, we show you why branded protein shakers are one of the most effective merchandise products for fitness studios, what the business case looks like, and which sales strategies work in practice.
Why Merchandise Works in Fitness Studios
Unlike traditional retailers, fitness studios have a decisive advantage: a loyal, recurring community. Members come several times a week, identify with the brand, and are willing to invest in their fitness. This direct access to an engaged target audience makes the gym an ideal sales channel for merchandise products.
A branded shaker is more than just a product for sale. It combines practical utility with emotional brand loyalty and turns every member into a mobile brand ambassador:
- A daily companion: Shakers are used at the gym, office, on the go, and at home
- A brand ambassador: Every shaker with your logo is free mobile advertising
- A community symbol: Uniform shakers create belonging and team spirit
- A practical product: Unlike T-shirts or towels, a shaker is truly used daily
To learn more about the fundamentals of the white-label model, read our White Label Guide.
The Business Case: Convincing Numbers
Let us look at the concrete numbers. A typical gym with 500–1,000 members can achieve surprisingly high additional revenue with branded shakers. Merchandise ties up little day-to-day effort: the shaker sits on the shelf, does not spoil, and does not need refrigeration.
Purchase Price and Margin
The following table shows a typical cost structure for branded shakers in the white-label model. The figures are guide values — the actual purchase price depends on quantity, colour, and print, and the binding minimum order quantity is stated for each product in the configurator:
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Purchase price (white label, guide value) | approx. EUR 3.50–5.00 per shaker |
| Retail price in studio | EUR 12.90–19.90 |
| Margin per unit | EUR 8.00–15.00 |
| Margin percentage | 60–75% |
Example Calculation: 500-Member Studio
| Scenario | Units/Month | Revenue/Month | Profit/Month | Profit/Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | 15 shakers | EUR 224 | EUR 150 | EUR 1,800 |
| Realistic | 30 shakers | EUR 449 | EUR 300 | EUR 3,600 |
| Ambitious | 50 shakers | EUR 749 | EUR 500 | EUR 6,000 |
Good to know: Plan conservatively at the start. Only once the sales strategies take hold and regular customers reorder will sales shift towards the realistic or ambitious scenario — allow a few months for that.
5 Sales Strategies That Work in Practice
1. Welcome Package for New Members
Every new member receives a branded shaker upon sign-up — either as a gift or as part of a premium package. This increases the perceived value of the membership and creates an emotional bond with the studio from day one.
Practical tip: Offer two membership tiers. The premium tier includes the shaker "for free". Some new members will opt for the higher tier when the surcharge is covered by a visible product. How large that share is in your studio is best seen in your own sign-up figures over the first few months.
Tip: A physical welcome gift makes the membership tangible from day one. Whether that affects your cancellation rate is something you are best placed to check yourself — compare the first 90 days of members with and without a welcome package.
2. Counter Sales with Supplement Bundles
Place shakers next to protein powder and supplements at the counter. A bundle deal like "Protein + Shaker for EUR 29.90" consistently outperforms individual sales. The shaker is perceived as a logical accessory and lowers the purchase barrier.
3. Seasonal Limited Editions
Limited runs for specific occasions create urgency and exclusivity. Members who know that an edition is only available in limited quantities act faster. Here are some proven occasions:
- January: "New Year, New You" edition in neon colours
- Summer: Outdoor edition with carabiner clip
- Christmas: Premium shaker as a gift set
A limited run can usually command a higher price than the standard model — how much depends on your target audience and the size of the run.
Practical tip: Announce limited editions 2–3 weeks in advance via Instagram Stories and posters in the studio. The anticipation significantly boosts sales.
4. Challenge and Event Merchandise
Connect the shaker to studio events. The emotional link between event and product ensures that the shaker is perceived not just as a utility item but as a keepsake:
- 6-week challenge: Every participant receives an exclusive challenge shaker
- Studio anniversary: Special edition for long-term members
- Collaborations: Co-branding with local supplement brands
Learn how supplement brands themselves benefit from branded shakers in our article on Supplement Brands and Custom Shakers.
5. Online Shop as a Second Sales Channel
A simple shop on your website or via Instagram also reaches former members, prospects, and fans. This way, you generate sales beyond the physical boundaries of your studio and build a digital brand.
Which Shaker Suits Fitness Studios Best?
Choosing the right shaker model is crucial for sales success. A shaker that looks premium, feels great in the hand, and performs reliably becomes your members' favourite product. The following table summarises the key features:
| Feature | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Volume | 600–700 ml — the most common size for protein shakes |
| Material | BPA-free plastic (PP) — light, break-resistant, and food-safe |
| Lid | Leak-proof with screw cap |
| Print area | Generous, so your logo is clearly visible |
| Sieve/blender ball | Integrated for lump-free shakes |
Discover our full product range with all available models.
Common Objections — and Why They Do Not Hold Up
In conversations with studio operators, we hear the same concerns time and again. In practice, however, these objections are usually based on incorrect assumptions. Let us take a closer look at the three most common objections:
"Our members already have shakers"
True — but not with your logo. The added value lies in the sense of belonging and the community feeling. Furthermore, shakers are regularly replaced as daily use causes wear and tear.
"The minimum order quantity is too high"
The minimum order quantity depends on the product you choose and is stated for each product in the configurator — for our Premium Shaker it starts at 210 units. Using the guide values from the table above, that means an investment of roughly EUR 750 to EUR 1,050, which is recouped after selling around a hundred units.
"We do not have space for inventory"
A first batch of this size fits into a few boxes and takes up hardly any storage space — a small shelf behind the counter is usually enough.
Good to know: A first test run at the minimum order quantity is a good way in. If sales are there, a larger follow-up order noticeably lowers the unit price.
Sample Calculation: A Studio with 700 Members
Suppose a studio with 700 members introduces branded shakers as part of a welcome package and also sells them at the counter. Here is what the calculation could look like after six months:
- 500 shakers in six months — welcome packages for new members and counter sales combined
- Additional revenue: around EUR 6,450 at a retail price of EUR 12.90
- Gross profit: around EUR 4,000 at a margin of EUR 8.00 per unit
- On top of that come effects that are harder to quantify: a more attractive premium membership and more referrals
How to Get Started: The 4-Step Plan
Getting started with shaker merchandise is straightforward and requires neither large upfront investments nor logistical effort. In just four steps, you can launch your own product:
- Choose your model: Select a shaker type that suits your target audience
- Create your design: Your logo, colours, and optionally a tagline
- Approve the sample: You receive a physical sample before series production begins
- Define your sales strategy: Welcome package, counter sales, online shop — or all three combined
Conclusion: One Shaker, Many Benefits
Branded shakers are a low-risk, high-reward product for fitness studios. The investment is manageable, margins are high, and the side effect — stronger brand presence and customer retention — is priceless.
Ready to launch your own studio merchandise? Contact us for a no-obligation quote or discover our products.
