how to become a gymshark athlete

While there is no shortage of workout apparel brands out there, few have captured the public imagination quite as strongly as Gymshark.

It seems that the vast majority of influential athletes in the 21^st Century are now sponsored by this business.

Part of the reason that Gymshark has grown so popular is a canny use of social media. Gymshark has forged a community of influencers, known as Gymshark athletes, that act as ambassadors for the brand.

This guide will explain all you need to know about Gymshark athletes – and how you can become achieve such a lofty title for yourself.

What is a Gymshark Athlete?

A Gymshark athlete is a workout enthusiast that acts as an ambassador for the brand. Gymshark athletes share social media videos of their exercise regime, wearing and discussing apparel and equipment created by the brand.

Take a look around next time you are in the gym. If you see somebody filming their workout, and clad head-to-toe in branded apparel, you can safely assume that you have encountered a Gymshark athlete.

What do Gymshark Athletes do?

Think of Gymshark athletes as social media influencers, just like any other. A Gymshark athlete aims to show the world just what is possible in the realm of fitness goals by utilizing the products produced by this business.

This is typically achieved through social media. Enter the search term, "Gymshark athlete" into video sites like YouTube and TikTok and you'll find an array of fitness fanatics sharing insights into their workouts, frequently discussing the benefits of Gymshark clothing and equipment.

Gymshark athletes are not just walking, talking shills though. The key term is, "influencer." Gymshark chooses to sponsor athletes that will be able to further their brand, encouraging consumers to invest in Gymshark products. This means that simply having a great body is not enough. Gymshark athletes must also be charismatic and persuasive.

Gymshark athletes also frequently undertake offline promotional duties. It is common to find Gymshark athletes touring the world, meeting enthusiasts of the brand and hosting Q&A sessions.

Who was the First Gymshark Athlete?

In many respects, the first Gymshark athlete was Ben Francis, owner of the business. Francis was a keen gym bunny and invested in a slot at the BodyPower Expo – held in Birmingham, England – in 2013. Francis took this opportunity to showcase a newly designed Luxe tracksuit, which sold out on the company website within 30 minutes.

Inspired by the power of marketing through influence, Francis forged an agreement with celebrated YouTube celebrities Scott Herman and Lex Griffin. These social media stars received free Gymshark apparel in return for online promotion. Followers rapidly sought to imitate the look of these athletes, and a marketing strategy was born.

Since then, there have been numerous 'first' Gymshark athletes. LA-based model and fitness guru Nikki Blackketter was the first female Gymshark athlete. Personal trainer Beyant Kaur, meanwhile, became the first South Asian Gymshark athlete to sport traditional Sikh headwear alongside Gymshark apparel, demonstrating the brand's dedication to diversity and inclusion.

Who is the Youngest Gymshark Athlete?

At the time of writing, the Estonian bodybuilder David Laid is the youngest Gymshark athlete.

Born in January 1998, Laid began working out at the tender age of 14. Bullied as a teen due to his then-thin and slender build, Laid took up bodybuilding and underwent a drastic transformation that caught the eye of Gymshark.

Laid has since grown a following as one of the most prominent fitness influencers on social media. Watch this video from his official YouTube channel to view his body transformation for yourself.

Do Gymshark Athletes Get Paid?

Remuneration as a Gymshark athlete does not come with a base salary. Every athlete will be on a different pay grade, depending on their popularity, results as an influencer and length of tenure as a Gymshark athlete.

You should not expect a six-figure monthly salary in your easiest days as a Gymshark athlete.Initially, most Gymshark athletes will receive payment in kind. This could come in the form of products, such as clothing. Over time, this can evolve into a financial agreement.

There is no doubt that this can become a financially lucrative career path. Some of the most prominent and renowned Gymshark athletes are believed to earn up to $100,000 per year in sponsorship deals. Naturally, other revenue streams also remain open.

How Much Does Gymshark Pay David Laid?

Gymshark does not openly disclose how much they pay individual athletes and influencers. David Laid is believed to have a personal net worth of over$1million.

While Laid has many revenue streams, sponsorship from Gymshark can safely be assumed to be chief among them.

Do Gymshark Athletes Get Free Clothes?

Free apparel isamong the biggest perks of becoming a Gymshark athlete. Ambassadors of the brand will be provided with the latest and greatest clothing, frequently ahead of the items becoming available for sale to the public.

Naturally, there is no such thing as a free lunch. These free clothes are not provided as a gift to demonstrate Gymshark's kindness. Athletes are expected to showcase the apparel in their social media videos and photos, influencing consumers into making a purchase.

Do Gymshark Athletes Have Discount Codes?

Gymshark apparel and equipment is so popular that it is rarely available at less than full price. You may find a sale once or twice a year, but Gymshark rarely offers promotional deals or codes. Like most successful businesses, there is no real need for them to do so.

Very occasionally, Gymshark may send a discount code to consumers directly. This is usually in compensation for a problem with an order, though. Do not watch videos of Gymshark athletes exclusively hoping that they will offer a discount code at the end. This pretty much never happens.

Do Gymshark Athletes Take Steroids?

Gymshark started as a business that specializedin selling bodybuilding supplements –not steroids – before branching out into apparel. The business does not take a stance on the use of such aids. What a Gymshark athlete puts into their body is a matter of personal choice, as are the consequences of such a decision.

As a result, there is no simple, "yes or no" answer to this question. Some Gymshark athletes may decide to use performance-enhancing drugs. Our advice is to identify particular athletes that are part of the Gymshark stable that you relate to, and investigate their personal views surrounding PEDs.

What Does It Take to be a Gymshark Athlete?

On paper, anybody can become a Gymshark athlete. There are no restrictions on age, gender, race or religion. However, you'll need the following to be considered for the role of a Gymshark athlete.

Gymshark apparel! The brand will not provide free clothing to just anybody. You will need to speculate to accumulate, investing in Gymshark workout gear and showcasing it on your social media profiles
Tireless dedication to fitness and exercise, and a body that demonstrates this – though you don't necessarily need to be an Adonis if you have other characteristics in your favor
A sizeable existing social media audience that you regularly interact with. Gymshark is not in the business of finding followers for you – they want you to bring new consumers to them
Charisma in front of the camera – monosyllabic grunts while working out do not make an entertaining video for viewers

Above all, Gymshark athletes must have a unique hook – whether that's based on aesthetics, persona or anything else – and the rare ability to influence others. Gymshark chooses ambassadors based on this skill. This is a unique X-factor that cannot be described. You either have it, or you do not.

How do I Become a Gymshark Athlete?

Gymshark is always on the hunt for new athletes. If you are interested in becoming an ambassador for the brand, regularly film and post your workouts – and tag the official Gymshark profiles. If the company likes what they see, they will reach out to you to discuss any opportunities.

Final Verdict

Gymshark apparel is worthy of investment due to its quality, and Gymshark athletes merit attention and admiration through their dedication to fitness. The opportunity to become a Gymshark athlete is a welcome motivation to aid your workout, too!

Sources:

https://support.gymshark.com/en-US/article/gymshark-athlete – guidance from the brand itself on how to become a Gymshark athlete
https://central.gymshark.com – the official Gymshark blog, packed with insights
https://influencermatchmaker.co.uk/blog/how-influencer-marketing-turned-gymshark-1billion-company – a deep dive into how influencer marketing turned Gymshark into such a successful brand
www.esquire.com/uk/life/a35519468/gymshark-interview-ben-francis – a profile of Gymshark founder Ben Francis