GymShark IPO: everything you need to know
Discover how you can gain exposure to GymShark before and after its initial public offering (IPO). Trade or invest in GymShark shares with the UK's No.1 trading provider.1
Call 0800 195 3100 or email newaccounts.uk@ig.com to talk about opening an account.
What’s on this page?
- Why trade or invest in the GymShark IPO with us?
- GymShark IPO: how to buy GymShark shares?
- When could the GymShark IPO happen?
- What is GymShark's business model?
- Who are GymShark's competitors?
- What will GymShark be valued at and what could the GymShark share price be?
- How do IPOs work?
- Get the latest IPO news
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Trade or invest in the primary market
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Buy shares from a minimum commission of £02 or trade with low spreads and zero commission3
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Before the listing – primary market
If they offer one, you can subscribe to GymShark’s primary market, which will enable you to gain access to stock allocations concurrent to institutional investors.
From day one of the listing
On the day that GymShark lists, you’ll immediately have access to these shares. You can:
- Buy and own GymShark shares through share dealing from £02 commission
- Use out derivative products – spread bets or CFDs - to go long or short. Spread betting is commission-free and tax-free for certain individuals4
Trading vs investing in GymShark shares
Trading and investing are different. When trading GymShark shares with us, you’ll use spread bets or CFDs to speculate on share price movements. These derivatives enable you to take a position without owning the underlying shares. You could also receive various tax benefits.4
Spread bets and CFDs are leveraged products, meaning you only need to commit a deposit (margin) upfront to receive full market exposure. Remember that while leverage can increase your profits, it can also amplify your losses. This means that your loss could far outweigh the margin amount, so it’s important to manage your risk carefully.
When investing in GymShark shares with us, you’ll buy and own physical stock using a share dealing account. Leverage isn’t available when you’re share dealing, so you’ll need to commit the full value of your position upfront. Investing in shares will make you a shareholder, eligible to receive dividends and voting rights if the company grants them.
- The aspirational fitness apparel is popular among the health conscious 16 to 24-year-old market
- GymShark was one of the early adopters of using social media influencers to market their apparel
- In early 2015, Francis stepped down as a CEO and was replaced by a new management team with former Reebok executive Steve Hewitt as CEO and Paul Richardson as Executive Chairman. This was proved to the best decision since then the company achieved significant momentum thereafter. In August 2021 Francis reassumed his role as CEO, while Hewitt took on the role of Executive Chair5
- GymShark was recognised as the private company with the fastest-growing profits in the UK and generated more than £400 million worth of revenue up to July 2021, a 50% year-on-year hike7
- Through its body conditioning training app, the startup has created an online training community, which provided an alternative solution to amid physical gym shutdowns during the Covid-19 lockdown
- The startup has a social media following of over 12 million people5
Some privately owned competitors of the athleisure manufacturer and online retailer include:8
Some privately owned competitors of the athleisure manufacturer and online retailer include:8
- Mogujie, based in China
- Fashion Nova, based in the US
- SHEIN, based in Singapore
- Showpo, based in Australia
GymShark is said to be considering competing with big brands like Nike and Adidas.5
FAQ requirements
How can I trade or invest in the GymShark IPO?
Once GymShark has listed, you can trade on its shares with us by using spread bets and CFDs to speculate on share price movements. These derivatives enable you to take a position without owning the underlying shares.
With spread bets and CFDs, you can go long if you think the share price will rise or go short if you think the share price will fall. If your prediction is correct, you’ll make a profit, but if you’re wrong about the market movement, you’d take a loss.
Spread bets and CFDs are leveraged products, which means that you only need to commit a deposit upfront – called margin – to receive full market exposure. However, bear in mind that while margin can increase your profits, it can substantially outweigh your deposit amount, so it’s important to take steps to manage your risk.
Investing in stock means you have to commit the full value of your position upfront. You’ll make a profit if you sell your shares at a higher price than what you bought them for, and you can’t lose more than your initial outlay. When investing in shares (also known as share dealing) you’re taking ownership of the asset.
Why do people take a position on IPOs?
People take a position on IPOs with the aim to capitalise on the initial excitement surrounding the listing, especially if the company’s outlook is strong and a share price increase is expected.
If you subscribe to the IPO ahead of the offering, you’ll get a stock allocation at the same time and for the same price as institutional investors, without needing to wait to trade the shares on the secondary market.
With us, you can speculate on the grey market of some potential listings before they’re even on the stock exchange.
What are the risks of trading or investing in IPOs?
The risks of trading or investing in IPOs include the increased volatility that comes with the initial excitement of the listing. This could result in your positions experiencing sudden shifts in price, potentially leading to heavy losses.
Remember that past performances of other IPOs are not an indication of future returns, so always take steps to manage your risk.
1 Best trading platform as awarded at the ADVFN International Financial Awards 2021 and Professional Trader Awards 2021.
2 Please note published rates are valid up to £25,000 notional value.
See our full list of share dealing charges and fees.
3 Zero commission on shares, with a foreign exchange fee of just 0.5* (*Increasing to 0.7% from 7 April 2025).
4 Tax laws are subject to change and depend on individual circumstances. Tax law may differ in a jurisdiction other than the UK.
Sources:
5 Sky News, 2021
6 General Atlantic, 2021
7 Fashion Network, 2021
8 Craft, 2021
9 Forbes, 2021
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Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 71% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
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