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GymShark IPO: how to buy GymShark shares
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.
Learn more about the impact of leverage on your trades
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.
When could the GymShark IPO happen?
The GymShark IPO date has not been confirmed, but could be in the first half (H1) of 2022. It’s been rumoured that investment banks are pressuring the startup to list5 If it does list on an exchange, it would likely be in London.
*Demo accounts are only available for spread betting and CFD trading.
How do IPOs work?
IPOs work by having a company put its shares up for sale to the public. Some common reasons for this include seeking to raise capital for business growth, decreasing or settling debts, positioning itself to better attract and retain talent, or increasing liquidity.
The IPO process starts off with a detailed audit of the company by an external resource – it must be conducted taking all the company’s financials into consideration. Next, a registration statement needs to be prepared by the business and filed with the appropriate exchange commission. If the commission grants approval, the company can then list a set number of shares at a price determined by an investment bank.
Explore what IPOs are or find out how to trade pre- and post-listing
What is GymShark’s business model?
GymShark is a leading fitness community and gym apparel brand with an online retail presence in 180 countries.6 Described as a unicorn in the investment world, this business was founded in 2012 by 19-year-old Ben Francis in his parents’ garage in Birmingham, where his mother taught him how to sew
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
Who are GymShark’s competitors?
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
What will GymShark be valued at and what could the GymShark share price be?
There isn’t much information around how much GymShark would be valued at or what its share price would be, if it lists on an exchange. However, in August 2021 the startup sold a 21% stake of the company to private equity firm General Atlantic, which led to it being valued at £1.3 billion 6, 9
How do IPOs work?
The IPO procedure usually involves a private company selling its shares on the stock exchange to raise capital. A comprehensive audit must first be conducted by an independent party to ensure all its financial statements. If the company receives an unqualified audit, it means the entity’s financial position is true and fair.
To register with the relevant exchange commission, the company must get a statement. If the registration is approved, the company will list a set amount of shares on the stock exchange at a price determined by an investment bank that’s appointed as an adviser.
Learn how to trade pre- and post-listing
FAQs
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.
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.
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
