2023.05.22

Sweatshirts by "Gym Master" Made in Canada with Over a Century of Traditional Knitting

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Have you heard of the Canadian sweatshirt brand "gym master"? While many popular imported sweatshirt brands have shifted their production to Asia or South America, gym master continues to make their sweatshirts the traditional way in Canada. We spoke with Masaki Yoshikawa from Grand-one Corp., the Japanese distributor of gym master, about the brand's history and their classic Canadian-made items.

"The brand was founded in 1916 in Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada. Originally, it was a factory for underwear and other items under the name 'NOVA SCOTIA TEXTILES', and the gym master brand did not yet exist. Over 100 years since its founding, it is now known as a long-established manufacturer.

"gym master was launched as a brand for athletic wear, and as the name suggests, it was intended to be worn at the gym. Additionally, given Canada's cold climate, there is a tradition that it was also used as inner wear for firefighters to keep warm."

Sweatshirt Fabric that Only Knits 1 Meter Per Hour

People familiar with gym master from the 1980s and 1990s often talk about their fabric. Let's start by discussing its long-standing fabric-making history.

"The most notable feature is the sweatshirt fabric made using a knitting machine called a Tompkin machine. This fabric is produced with an old knitting machine and only knits 1 meter per hour, making it unsuitable for mass production. However, they still make the fabric this way today. It is generally a soft 9-ounce fabric with a brushed lining.

"It is also known for being lightweight yet warm. Furthermore, the sewing is done with a flat seam, which uses a four-needle stitch. This four-needle stitch was commonly used in vintage sweatshirts from around the 1950s but started to decline from the 1970s. Despite this, gym master continues to use traditional sewing methods to make their products."

Timeless Raglan Sleeves

Having heard about the rare fabrics, let's now delve into the details. gym master is memorable for its raglan sleeves, but that's not all.

"From a detail perspective, everything from crew necks to hoodies features raglan sleeves, a characteristic that has been around since its inception. The fit is somewhat tight, which was considered stylish for sweatshirts back then. Another standout feature from the past is the light comfort when worn, as many North American sweatshirts of the time were thick, heavy, and box-shaped. gym master might have been innovative in that regard.

"Despite these details, the silhouette has gradually changed over the years, with only slight adjustments to balance. The narrow arms and body, which are distinctive of gym master, haven't seen significant changes.

"The retro or vintage-like silhouette, such as the neck shape, remains authentic. The white drawstrings on hoodies and sweatpants and the slim, deep-rise silhouette of sweatpants also remain the same as in the past.

"In the 1990s, many people preferred the classic American casual style with a tight fit. Recently, there has been a trend of choosing oversized or one size larger. Throughout its long history, people have worn gym master in ways that match the current times. This versatility is a testament to its long-standing popularity."