Rest Day
I feel that I owe the gym an apology for Saturday morning. No, it's not for yelling at someone, throwing weights at someone, screaming profanities or being wasted, it's for confusing them. I promise, the last thing I wanted was for our members to think that they drove to Denio's or Loaves and Fishes yesterday morning. My bad.
Hopefully, what they discovered (once they strapped their sungalsses on) was a neon filled tent full of some amazing CF centered clothing! If not, oh well – we'll just go back to our day jobs now and call it a day.
HIPFIT held its international "soft opening" on Saturday to the delight of the CFES membership -well, we think delight. Some looked terrified, whatever. "What and who is HIPFIT" you might ask? Well let me explain…
It all started way back in 2011 at the CrossFit Games in Carson, CA. CFES had a large contingent of members that made the trek but one group in particular seemed to stick together consistently throughout the games. What we noticed (among many, many other things) was that the apparel community seemed to be too focused on the loud, obnoxious, over-the-top designs that would appeal to me, er, to a rather limited audience. Everyone has seen the "WODKILLA" shirt, right? Well, how many of us can actually kill a WOD? Certainly not I. In fact, many WODs come way too effing close to killing me. True story. So, not only would I feel like a total d-bag wearing that shirt but it's just a plain old lie. Anyways, I'll leave the numerous examples at that for now.
We decided that the timing was right to make something of this. Being the grossly creative types that we are, we started throwing out alcohol fueled, deeply sarcastic ideas for t-shirts throughout the weekend. Self deprecation definitely runs thick in our group. After all, if you can't make fun of yourself, you just aren't a normal human. If you need help ask any of us, we'll find something about you to make fun of. It's easier than you might think.
We also decided that there is a market for clothing that is wearable inside the gym and also outside of the gym. Not everyone wants to wear a "Huge Snatch" shirt when they are going to brunch with Mom and Dad, but maybe they don't want to get all dressed up either. This concept led to the "Rest Day" line. Think of it as lululemon for people who actually give a shit about their wallets. That, and people who want some variety in colors and styles. Yes, there's the crazy bright neon gear but there is also some normal subdued colors too. Check it out, you'll find something you like.
Our final market that we identified were the various affiliate owners. In discussions with a few, it dawned on us that the t-shirt aspect of the business was purely a side venture, not worth the effort aside from appeasing the members and to get some free advertising out in the public. We looked at costs and saw an opportunity for affiliate owners to start turning a profit. Enter CFES as our very first client. That's right – those amazing baseball inspired tees that you love to wear so much are a HIPFIT creation. We're taking this model to other boxes and spreading the love.
By now you have to be wondering who we are, right? Of course you are, Well, the "we" in this crazy bunch are: Anne and Pat Harty, Jen Terrill, Hollis Reilly and me, Ryan Lippmann. This little venture is a CFES original, directly attributable to relationships formed through working out and forming lifelong relationships together. I consider my partners among the most important people in my life. For this week at least.
So what's next? Well, we'll be officially launching our brand at the OC Throwdown next weekend. After that, we'll be travelling to the NorCal 40's as well as having a presence at our own Sactown Throwdown. After we get some traction, the sky's the limit! Our website (hipfitthreads.com) is under construction currently but feel free to "like" us on Facebook (facebook.com/hipfitthreads) and follow us on Twitter
(@hipfitthreads). We've got some amazing content that I'm sure you will all enjoy… well except for Justin for obvious reasons.
CFES truly has amazing members. Where else can you meet and work with your friends and have a complete blast doing so? I'd like to think nowhere else like this! Thank you to all who have encouraged, supported and lent a hand in the formation of what we really hope to be one of the new, great, up and coming companies in the CF community!!
If any of you have questions, comments, feedback, ideas, custom shirt orders, anything – please let us know! We're all family here. Just don't get too naggy or whiny or we'll sick Travis on you.
Thanks again for supporting us!!!!
Ryan "No Rep" Lippmann
Hollis "Big Red" Reilly
Anne "Mama" Harty
Pat "DudeBro" Harty
aaaaaaaannnddd Designer Extraordinaire….
Jen "&Jen" Terrill
You can contact me at norep@hipfitthreads.com
