Written By: Gouri Ghosh

Fitness and fashion in India have changed significantly in recent years. . It's not merely about hitting the gym or exercising anymore. In 2025, individuals are equally concerned about how they look while keeping fit. From jogging in the mornings to relaxed outings, working out gear is now an integral part of street style. This lifestyle change has fueled a sharp demand for fashionable as well as comfortable exercise wear among all age groups. Due to this emerging trend, it is becoming a shrewd business decision to open a fitness fashion franchise in India. There are more customers demanding quality sportswear, and large brands are opening up shop to capture them and particularly in the cities beyond merely Delhi, Mumbai, or Bangalore.

In this blog, we will walk you through the top 5 sports fashion brands in India that are dominating the market in 2025. We will also provide a division of significant details such as fitness fashion franchise price, profit margin, and how you can select the best brand suiting your budget, location, and aspirations.

The Reasons for the Emergence of Fitness Fashion in India

India is witnessing a fitness revolution. More Indians are becoming members of gyms, joining running clubs, and taking outdoor workout sessions. This burgeoning fitness culture is not only about fitness it's also about fashion. 

This trend is driving the expansion of sports shop franchises in India.Most interestingly, this trend is no longer limited to metro cities. 

Why Invest in a Fitness Fashion Franchise?

• Increasing Market Demand: Fitness is a lifestyle now, and activewear has become the everyday wear for most Indians.

• Urban & Semi-Urban Growth at Lightning Speed: Brands are reaching non-metro areas where demand is on the rise.

• Brand Awareness: By collaborating with known fitness fashion brands, you gain instant credibility and trust.

• Successful Business Models: Franchisors offer plug-and-play systems, from inventory management to marketing.

• Support & Training: Receive hands-on training, marketing assistance, and logistical support from industry-leading brands.

Best Fitness Fashion Franchises to Invest in India

If you're seeking to invest in a sportswear franchise, these are the best international brands with high returns, brand equity, and innovation-forward thinking.

Adidas – Pioneering with Innovation and Fashion

Adidas continues to be among the world's most respected and beloved sportswear brands in India and globally. It perfectly blends performance and fashion, regularly innovating with innovative designs and intelligent technology.

Adidas tops the market in 2025 with:

• Innovative footwear and wearable technology for the world's best athletes

• Luxury collaborations that fuel trend-driven appeal

As a franchise owner, you enjoy:

• Strong global image and committed customer base

• Heavy footfalls in physical shops as well as digital shops

Puma – Brash Branding and Youth Culture

Puma resonates strongly with India's youth, fashion-conscious population. Beyond a sports brand, it is an expression of pop culture, music, and lifestyle trends.

In 2025, Puma leads with:

• Celebrity and sports star collaborations that enhance brand loyalty

• Community fitness initiatives that foster customer interaction

Why go for Puma?

Successful youth appeal and livelier in-store experiences

 Franchise Investment: ₹60–₹90 lakhs

Nike – Premium Quality and Dedicated Fan Base

It has a more discerning store network in India, yet those who invest in a Nike franchise have solid, loyal traffic and high repeat traffic.

As of 2025, Nike has:

• Intelligent sportswear with customized equipment through cutting-edge technology

• A high-end retail experience that draws fitness enthusiasts and competitors

• Long-term customer loyalty due to product excellence and innovation

Why is Nike a good franchise opportunity?

• Upscale brand recognition with dedicated, ready-to-spend shoppers

• Perfect for upscale retail outlets or high-end locations

• High potential for long-term high ROI

 Franchise Investment: ₹1 crore or higher

Under Armour – A Brand for Serious Athletes

Under Armour might not have the mass market presence like Nike or Adidas in India, but it is highly respected by dedicated athletes and gym-goers. It is a brand founded on performance and in 2025, it is still pushing the boundaries with cutting-edge sportswear engineered to enhance workouts.

Under Armour excels with:

• Tech-infused performance apparel, gaining traction with focused user

• Athlete collaborations and fitness events that increase brand recognition in India

Why look at Under Armour?

• Good traction in high-end fitness segments and specialty sports communities

• Suits well around high-end gyms, sports academies, and fitness studios

• Brand emphasis more on hardcore fitness, less on fashion-driven casuals

 Franchise Investment: ₹70–₹90 lakhs

Cultsport – India's Homegrown Challenger

Cultsport is the wellness side of Cult.fit, which is one of the biggest and most rapidly expanding fitness platforms in India.  What started out as a line of workout apparel is now a full-fledged lifestyle brand with powerful India-first pull.

In 2025, Cultsport succeeds because:

• It provides affordable, high-quality gear which resonates with urban millennials

• Products are highly integrated with the Cult.fit platform, generating cross-brand loyalty

• Its area of interest is day-to-day fitness fashion—functional, stylish, and comfortable

Why Cultsport is a good choice:

• The most economical franchise opportunity currently on the market

• Perfect for new investors or local entrepreneurs who want rapid growth

Franchise Investment: ₹40–₹60 lakhs

Excellent choice if you want to construct an emerging, digitally literate Indian brand.

Honorable Mentions: Other Sports Shop Franchises in India

Besides the top five, there are some other brands that are worth considering if you are looking to open a sports shop franchise in India. These are:

• Reebok-  which is reviving itself with new management and product lines.

• HRX, which was co-founded by the famous actor Hrithik Roshan, is a retailer of reasonably priced Indian athletic apparel.

• Decathlon-  already a budget sports gear market leader, now venturing into curated fashion lines.

Fitness Fashion Franchise: Profit and Growth Potential in India

The fitness fashion market is no longer a niche it's a thriving category of India's retail and lifestyle market. As more people opt for active lifestyles, the need for good quality and fashionable activewear grows steadily in metros as well as smaller cities.

Actually, according to industry reports, India's fitness fashion market is expanding at a growth rate of 10% to 15% per year and is among the most appealing business opportunities for franchise investors today.

What Makes This Business So Profitable?

A well-positioned store along with a powerful brand name can provide healthy margins and sustainable growth. 

Here's why:

• Profit Margins: Profit margins of between 20% and 30% are typical in most successful fitness fashion franchises, varying with footfall, product assortment, and operational effectiveness.

• Brand-Driven Sales: Powerful international or national brands sustain loyal customers and minimize the necessity for extensive local promotion.

• Seasonal Spikes: Seasonal demand peaks are stimulated by festivals, New Year resolutions, and consumer fitness fads, particularly in January, April, and October.

• Exclusive Launches: New collections and limited-edition products are usually given to franchise partners first, thus, boosting in-store traffic.

• Marketing Support: Franchisees enjoy national advertising campaigns, celebrity promotions, as well as social media hype managed by the company.

How to Maximize Your Returns?

The secret to making consistent profits in the fitness fashion market is wise decision-making:

 Select the correct brand: Match your brand selection with your target market—high-end customers, youth, or daily fitness users.

•  Choose a strategic location: Malls, commercial complexes, or locations adjacent to gyms and fitness clubs are ideal.

•  Find your investment match: From ₹40 lakhs to ₹1 crore and beyond, there exists a brand for each budget.

•  Know your market: Familiarity with the fitness culture of your city assists in selecting the ideal product mix and store experience.

Conclusion

The need for fashionable, comfortable activewear is increasing rapidly, as is the potential to have a fitness fashion franchise in India. Whether you opt for an international giant such as Adidas, Nike, or Puma, or opt for emerging brands such as Under Armour or Cultsport, each of these brands has a good business model, a strong brand value, and excellent growth potential.

As fitness becomes a lifestyle across metros and smaller cities, investing in a fitness fashion franchise in India is more than just a smart move, it's a step into the future of retail. Just make sure to choose the right brand based on your location, customer base, and budget.

Disclaimer: The brands mentioned in this blog are the recommendations provided by the author. FranchiseBAZAR does not claim to work with these brands / represent them / or are associated with them in any manner. Investors and prospective franchisees are to do their own due diligence before investing in any franchise business at their own risk and discretion. FranchiseBAZAR or its Directors disclaim any liability or risks arising out of any transactions that may take place due to the information provided in this blog.