Gymshark Stock: Is Gymshark Fit for an IPO?

Explore potential ways to own Gymshark stock before and during the IPO. Access select pre-IPO startups like OpenAI, Databricks, and Canva via the Fundrise Innovation Fund. 

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Recent Gymshark News

12/04/2024: Gymshark CFO exits after two years
10/28/2022: Ben Francis rules out IPO: ‘I’m not going to sell this business’
11/09/2021: Gymshark quashes imminent’ IPO plans
10/12/2021: Gymshark eyes potential IPO as valuation soars
Older news…

About Gymshark

Gymshark is a British apparel and accessories brand popular among fitness enthusiasts and athletes.

Founded in 2012 by Ben Francis and Lewis Morgan, the company began by selling fitness supplements and quickly expanded to workout apparel.

Initially focusing on high-quality gym wear, including leggings, shorts, and performance tops, Gymshark has expanded to offer a full range of fitness clothing and accessories designed for both men and women.

The company’s mission is to unite the conditioning community, inspiring individuals to be better versions of themselves through fitness and a healthy lifestyle.

Gymshark’s growth is sustained by its innovative use of social media and influencer marketing, connecting with its audience through authentic storytelling and partnerships with prominent fitness personalities, similar to U.S.-based Vuori.

Today, Gymshark serves markets across North America, Europe, and Asia with a rapidly growing direct-to-consumer model highlighting its strong digital presence.

With its commitment to innovation and community building, Gymshark continues to position itself as a leader in the fitness industry, with significant potential for further growth in product offerings and global reach.

Gymshark’s headquarters are in Solihull, West Midlands, England. Here’s a lifting challenge sponsored by Gymshark. 

Ownership

Gymshark is a privately held company. Founder Ben Francis owns at least two-thirds of the company.

Private Equity firm General Atlantic bought a 21% stake in 2020. Other equity owners include Steve Hewitt, Paul Richardson, and Lewis Morgan. As the company plans to establish more brick-and-mortar stores, it may look to venture capital to raise funds for expansion. 

Funding Rounds

WordPress Data Table Plugin

Valuation

The last confirmed Gymshark valuation is $1.3 billion based on General Atlantic’s $276 million investment in 2020. 

IPO Potential

Gymshark held informational discussions with investment bankers in 2021 at the height of U.S. IPO euphoria. Talks of a Gymshark IPO have cooled since then, as the IPO market shut down worldwide in 2022. 

Having expressed interest in an IPO, founder, and majority owner, Ben Francis maintains sole control over the company’s future.

In October 2022, he told the Retail Gazette: 

So, in terms of an IPO, we’re not looking at that anytime soon. We’ve got plenty on our plate, we need to get this store launched, we need to smash the U.S. market, and quite frankly, we just need to manage through the next 12 to 18 months. An IPO just isn’t currently on our agenda.

Considering his curiosity in future options, and IPO would enable increased fundraising for growth and a chance to give back to the lifting community by providing ownership opportunities through stock.

Another reason to take Gymshark public is to raise funds for store expansion. It has only opened a handful as of November 2024. 

Watch apparel brands Skims and Vuori for clues about Gymshark’s public ambitions during the next IPO window. Successful IPOs by either brand may foretell Gymshark’s corporate destiny. 

Bookmark this page for the latest developments.

How to Invest in Gymshark Stock

Since Gymshark is a private company with limited venture capital investors and employee ownership, it is challenging to become an equity owner today.

However, you can increase your chances of early equity ownership or obtain shares in the IPO by taking the actions outlined below.

Accredited investors will have an easier time using pre-IPO investing platforms. 

1. Access Gymshark via pre-IPO investing platforms

The author has not seen evidence of Gymshark stock being available on pre-IPO platforms and does not believe opportunities are plentiful or likely. 

The founder is the majority owner and has not indicated he needs more venture capital funding.

I do not expect pre-IPO Gymshark share availability unless Gymshark raises another significant round with multiple venture capital participants. Even then, the company intends to keep the cap table limited. 

However, investors can monitor pre-IPO investing platforms such as Hiive, EquityZen, Equitybee, Forge Global, and Linqto for share availability. 

Minimums on these platforms range from $2,500 to $50,000. 

The SEC requires direct pre-IPO investors to be accredited. Signing up for online access to pre-IPO data and deal alerts is free. 

Non-accredited retail investors can own pre-IPO companies by owning the Fundrise Innovation Fund, but Gymshark stock is currently not present in the portfolio.

Check out our list of top pre-IPO investing platforms for current share availability across platforms. 

Please note: This is a testimonial in partnership with Fundrise. We earn a commission from partner links on AccessIPOs.com. All opinions are my own.

2. Participate in the Gymshark IPO through a broker

Gymshark sold a 21% stake in the company in 2020, which likely raised sufficient capital for operations and provided lifestyle money for Ben Francis.

It is unclear if Gymshark is profitable. But if other eCommerce brands successfully go public in the coming years, a Gymshark IPO seems likely. 

If Gymshark eventually pursues an IPO to become a public company, IPO investors may find investment opportunities via participating online brokers.

The following online brokers give their users access to IPOs:

• TradeStation 
• Robinhood

TradeStation has a longer track record of accessing more than 400 IPOs and secondary offerings. 

Robinhood has the advantage of Silicon Valley networks and a history of getting allocations for high-profile IPOs.

Read the S-1 filings to find mentions of these online brokers to find opportunities. 

Check out this list of best brokers for IPO investing to learn more about IPO access for retail investors.

3. Buy the stock after the IPO

A Gymshark IPO may be years away or never happen at all. 

Nearly all investors will not acquire pre-IPO shares or receive an allocation if an IPO happens. 

Waiting for stocks to become publicly traded before investing in them has its advantages. The IPO provides investors with access to several sets of financials after a few quarters of reporting, whereas pre-IPO investing has limited financials available for review.

IPO stock prices typically rise with high-demand companies. You can benefit if you’re in early and sell when the price overheats.

But without IPO access, post-IPO investors may be tempted to acquire shares at inflated prices. 

Stock price declines after IPOs can be excellent entry points.

Avoid purchasing overvalued shares immediately after the IPO, as they tend to experience a decline in value following lockup expirations and disappointments in quarterly earnings.

In contrast, the most disruptive companies are likely to experience higher valuations a decade from now. Be selective and patient. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is Gymshark publicly traded?

No. Gymshark is not publicly traded. It is a private company.

What is the Gymshark stock price?

A public Gymshark stock price does not exist because the company remains private and majority owned by one person. 

Private stock price information is becoming more available and reliable based on pre-IPO marketplace data and other sources.

However, Gymshark’s private trading is thin. There is not enough data to provide an accurate price as of November 2024. 

What is the Gymshark stock symbol?

There is no Gymshark stock symbol yet because it is a private company.

We can speculate about the Gymshark ticker if it pursues a U.S. IPO. The following ticker suggestions are available in the U.S.: 

• GYMS
• SHRK

Will Gymshark IPO in the U.K. or U.S. 

Though founder Ben Francis has indicated the company has explored pursuing an IPO, there are no indications of the exchange on which it would trade. 

The U.K.-based company would presumably favor a London Stock Exchange listing. However, several European startups have indicated their preference for a U.S. market listing due to a more favorable regulatory environment. 

In May 2023, Revolut co-founder and CEO told The Times of London that the company would never consider an IPO on the London Stock Exchange due to “complex and unclear regulatory requirements.”

He stated:

It’s hard to do business in the U.K.; the exchange is much less liquid, so I just don’t see the point.

Others share this sentiment in the Europe.

Half of Gymshark’s sales are in the U.S.

Where is the Gymshark S-1 Filing?

Gymshark has yet to release an S-1 filing to the public. There is no evidence of a confidential S-1 filing or indication the company will become public. 

News of a confidential or public S-1 filing would kick off the IPO process, suggesting the IPO could occur during the following two to six months. 

When the company releases the S-1 filing to investors, we’ll link to and embed the document on this web page.

In the meantime, you can check out the most recent S-1 filings in our S-1 filings feed. 

Gymshark News Archive

08/14/2020: Ben Francis UK’s richest self-made person under 30
08/13/2020: General Atlantic Nears $1.3 Billion Gymshark Investment

Conclusion

Gymshark’s ascent from a small fitness supplement business to a global apparel brand showcases its savvy embrace of digital marketing and influencer partnerships in the same way companies like Skims have succeeded. By Building a loyal community of fitness enthusiasts, the company has strengthened a brand that resonates with its audience.

As it expands into physical retail and contemplates a future IPO, Gymshark faces the challenge of scaling while preserving its lean operations and authentic ethos. Its cautious approach to public markets reflects strategic discipline by its founder, prioritizing sustainable growth over short-term valuation gains.

In a competitive fitness market, Gymshark’s success will depend on its ability to innovate, navigate global expansion, and maintain the community-driven culture that sets it apart.

It offers a compelling example of how digital-native brands can thrive in the modern economy while remaining resilient to shifting consumer trends.

If you’re interested in owning Gymshark stock, maintain reasonable expectations.