Tips & Tricks To Own A Business With POD Active Wears

POD activewear has been offering an exciting chance to tap into the growing demand for stylish, functional athleisure. From leggings to sports bras, these customizable pieces blend both fashion and fitness, catering to a trend-savvy audience. This blog will instruct you on how to capitalize on this thriving niche and highlight the potential of POD activewear in eCommerce.
Let’s get in with our experts!
Understanding POD Active Wears
What Are POD Active Wears?
POD activewear is clothing that combines the versatility of activewear with the customization of print-on-demand (POD)services. In fact, activewear is designed for workouts and casual wear, including items like leggings, joggers, bras, or hoodies. With POD, your customers can freely add their personalized touches like slogans or patterns, and you don’t need to hold inventory.
POD active wears tailor style, comfort, and personal awareness
However, don’t ever mislead activewear vs. sportswear—it might cause a fault in designing and catering to your product lines. Let’s take a quick look at the following differences:
Activewear |
Sportswear |
1 - Designed for both exercise and casual wear 2 - More flexible in style and function 3 - Often made from sustainable, comfortable fabrics 4 - Casual and trendy (e.g., hoodies, leggings) |
1 - Specifically for sports 2 - Focused on performance 3 - Built for specific functions (e.g., thermal) 4 - Sport-specific, less focus on fashion |
Why Should You Invest In POD Active Wears?
According to Allied Market Research, the global activewear industry has been thriving since 2022 and is forecasted to reach $771.8 billion by 2032. In addition, the Forces have identified 4 key activewear trends shaping this growth: sustainability, diversity and inclusivity, luxury brands, and on-demand classes. Without a doubt, POD activewear belongs to the “on-demand”!
What’s more? It’s exactly your target customers!
“Only 23 percent of Generation Z said they were passionate sports fans, compared with the 42 percent of millennials”, says the New York Times. This doesn’t mean Gen Z is not worth focusing on; it needs more flexibility. However, it seems better to start with Millenials—they’re believed to shape the future of athleisure—a blend of comfort, style, and health awareness.
Where To Sell POD Active Wears
You can start your POD activewear brand on 2 common platforms:
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Marketplaces
While Amazon, eBay, and Etsy are great gates to reach global customers, standing out in these crowded spaces might be challenging. To perform the best sales, optimize your listings with clear photos, engaging descriptions, and competitive prices.
Amazon is a common marketplace for selling POD activewear
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eCommerce platforms
Shopify, Wix, and WooCommerce are the go-to choices, thanks to their full control over your store and seamless integration with POD services. Notably, Shopify has been the most popular in the U.S., accounting for roughly 30% of the total, thanks to its friendly-budget pricing, built-in AI features, easy-to-use dashboard, and various online resources.
GemPages is one of the leading landing page builders for Shopify stores
To elevate your Shopify store’s performance, try the leading landing page builders available in the Shopify App Store, like GemPages. Trusted by over 30,000 merchants, GemPages is free to install but provides CRO templates, advanced design elements, and A/B testing tools. This helps you feel more confident about building a professional, unique eCommerce storefront.
Top 5 POD Active Wear Pieces You Should Sell
#1. Legging
Leggings are a must-have in our POD activewear list today because of their booming market, which was valued at USD 37.06 billion in 2024. They’re close-fitting or stretchy pants often made from nylon, spandex, polyester, or cotton blends to provide the best comfort for wearers. You can wear this item for physical activities, casual outings, or even working locations.

Leggings are potential POD activewear items to kick off your business sales
Tip: Colorful patterns, minimalist designs, and motivational quotes can make customers feel more fashionable and easy to wear all the time. Eco-friendly fabrics should also be considered to attract environmentally conscious buyers.
#2. Joggers
Unisex joggers are the best choice for both men and women as they offer wearers feelings of comfort and fashion. You can freely start POD joggers with DTG, Vinyl, or embroidery to ensure vivid customizations, making your products a top pick for any collection. Also, learn how to build up a store from Qikink—one of the leaders in POD joggers in the UK and US markets.
Qikink is one of the biggest names in POD joggers
Tip: Pair your jogger designs with hoodies, sweatshirts, or T-shirts and then sell them as trending co-ord sets. Don’t forget to focus on neutral colors with subtle accents or even initials and logos to create unique products.
#3. Tank tops
Tank tops are in great demand in the activewear industry, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.8% worldwide from 2023 to 2030. You can vary your product lines with base colors or patterns, but ensure that they’re lightweight, breathable, and easy to style. Tank tops should also be sold in bundles to increase the average order value in your store effectively.
Tank tops are a very in-demand activewear product on the global eCommerce market
Tip: Play POD tank tops with bold graphics and typography to attract different audiences. Your product listing should also include inclusive sizing (2XL or 3XL) to cater to global customers.
#4. Shorts
The next must-have in your POD activewear line is shorts—an essential item that skyrockets in popularity during the summer months. With POD, you can tailor customers to a variety of styles, from high-waisted biker shorts to loose-fit shorts, catering to diverse customer preferences. Whether you’re running or lounging at home, shorts are a staple for comfort and mobility.
POD shorts tend to be in high demand in summertime
Tip: Set your shorts apart with moisture-wicking fabrics, hidden pockets, or anti-chafe designs. It’s also great to design shorts with long pants inside to keep wearers warmer during winter.
#5. Sports bras
Last but not least, sports bras can better launch your POD activewear ideas! The bras market is expected to reach $61.92 billion in 2025 in the 5 key regions, including Europe, China, Singapore, the Philippines, and Indonesia. If you target these markets, consider POD sports bras today to leverage your business performance effectively!
POD sports bras are expected to reach a great profit in the future
Tip: Focus on comfort and functionality to make customers feel confident at any time. Consider adding stylish black designs or color-blocking patterns to make your designs stand out.
Best 8 Fulfillment Picks For Your POD Activewear Store
#1. Printful
Printful is one of the most recognized POD platforms across Asia, the US, and the EU. It offers a premium range of activewear, like leggings, sports bras, and performance shirts. Its cutting-edge and reliable printing techniques ensure your designs look more vibrant. Even if you’re a newbie, Prinful’s user-friendly dashboard makes it easy to access stunning designs.
Printful is the most recognized POD platform across the world
What we love:
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High-quality fabric options that prioritize comfort and durability.
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Worldwide fulfillment centers for reduced shipping times.
#2. Printify
Printify allows you to connect with global print providers with flexibility in quality and pricing. You can easily see the cost of each POD activewear, including shipping or the retail price, up to a 40% profit margin—it’s an ideal level to kick off your sales. Printify is especially committed to sustainability, featuring a range of eco-friendly printing options at friendly budget levels.
Printify ensures global delivery with apparent costs
What we love:
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Extensive supplier network for activewear options.
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Affordable starter plans, including a free option.
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Easy to work with marketplaces and eCommerce platforms.
#3. AutoDS
AutoDS specializes in automation for POD and dropshipping, simplifying inventory management and fulfillment for your Shopify or WooCommerce store. You can also register for AutoDS on the other eCommerce platforms, but be mindful of synchronizations and updates.
AutoDS masters POD and dropshipping on Shopify and WooCommerce
What we love:
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Advanced automation features, including auto-price updates.
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Detailed analytics to help improve your store performance.
#4. Zendrop
Zendrop focuses on high-quality fulfillment with a particular emphasis on North American markets and is available with free plans. While its fast shipping times make Zendrop a go-to for fitness-focused brands, the activewear ordering price seems high, from $20 to $50.
Zendrop focuses on POD activewear in North America
What we love:
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Extensive branding options to boost your brand awareness.
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Easy-to-use dashboard for order tracking and management.
#5. SPOD
With 20+ years of experience in the custom printing industry, SPOD ensures high-quality orders within a short delivery time. Notably, this fulfillment company prioritizes using water-saving printing techniques or other environmentally friendly practices to tailor sustainability. You can easily find its organic collection, which uses organic cotton in Turkey for production.
SPOD is famous for its rapid delivery time
What we love:
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48-hour average production time, with 20% of orders shipped in 24 hours.
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Comprehensive design tools for easy customization.
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Varied eco- or environment-friendly printing methods.
#6. FitPrint
With FitPrint, you don’t need to worry about minimum order requirements. This means that we can order just one POD activewear item if you want, making it an excellent choice for small-scale businesses. The turnaround time is also impressively quick, often within just 7 days.
FitPrint targets POD activewear and sportswear
What we love:
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High-grade fabrics designed for active lifestyles.
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12-month guarantee on POD services.
#7. Inkthreadable
Inkthreadable offers a comprehensive POD service for activewear, specializing in eco-friendly and sustainable printing. Thanks to its base in the UK, it has become a perfect choice for businesses that look to cater to the European market. You will especially have an opportunity to try unique gym clothing or leggings while staying true to trendy, eco-conscious values.
Inkthreadable is famous for high-end fashion in POD activewear
What we love:
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Production with sustainable materials (e.g., organic cotton, recycled polyester).
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Custom packaging options that align with eco-friendly branding.
#8. ArtOfWhere
Being the premium POD platform, ArtOfWhere focuses on delivering high-quality, artist-designed activewear items. If you aim to build your high-end brand in North America, suppliers on ArtOfWhere should be considered. They’re true professionals in fashion-forward activewear, with efficient delivery times and varied fabrics to ensure comfort and durability.
ArtOfWhere masters in POD high-end fashion
What we love:
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Wide variety of customizable activewear options.
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Excellent for high-end brands looking for distinctive designs.
Learn more: 10+ Trending Print On Demand Pet Products + Suppliers (2025)
Conclusion
Our blog has just reviewed the POD activewear market and opportunities to boost your business sales with minimal upfront costs. Customization, sustainability, and personalization are key to resonating your brand with fashion-forward consumers. Don’t forget to consider the high-demand activewear ideas and the leading fulfillment services to perform the best results.
Visit GemPages blogs to learn about eCommerce and how to succeed with the POD brand.