All in Motion vs. Lululemon: Which brand should you buy?

Compare All in Motion's affordable, stylish activewear with Lululemon's premium, high-performance gear. Discover which brand aligns with your fitness goals.
Spencer Lanoue
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Spencer Lanoue
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All in Motion is Target's in-house activewear brand focused on affordability and stylish, everyday designs, while Lululemon is a premium brand known for its high-performance technical fabrics, innovative designs, and significantly higher price point. The core difference comes down to value versus investment: All in Motion offers accessible quality for casual workouts and athleisure, whereas Lululemon provides superior durability and fabric technology for dedicated athletes and yogis.

Let’s examine the details of each brand to help you decide where to spend your money.

All in Motion: The Affordable Athleisure Staple

All in Motion is Target's answer to the need for functional, stylish, and budget-friendly activewear. The brand serves men, women, and kids with a range of gear that is perfect for light workouts, running errands, or comfortable daily wear. It's built for shoppers who want a modern look without the premium price tag, making it incredibly popular for building out a full workout wardrobe without a huge financial commitment.

  • Product mix: A comprehensive collection including leggings, sports bras, shorts, t-shirts, joggers, and outerwear. The focus is on versatile basics suitable for various activities.
  • Price point: Extremely accessible, with most items priced between $10 and $30. This allows customers to purchase multiple outfits for the cost of one pair of Lululemon leggings.
  • Quality & Materials: The gear is primarily made from comfortable and stretchy polyester, spandex, and nylon blends. While suitable for everyday wear and casual exercise, it may not offer the same long-term durability or moisture-wicking power as premium technical fabrics.
  • Style & Aesthetic: Designs are minimalist and modern, often featuring neutral colors, sleek silhouettes, and subtle branding. This approach makes pieces easy to mix, match, and wear outside of the gym.
  • Sizing/Fit: All in Motion offers highly inclusive sizing, typically from XS to 3X. The fit is generally true to size, though some buyers report that leggings and shorts can have a more compressive fit or run slightly tight in the waistband.

All in Motion delivers impressive value with its blend of modern style, inclusive sizing, and unbeatable prices, making it a go-to for casual athletes and budget-conscious families.

Shop All in Motion: target.com/c/all-in-motion

Lululemon: The Leader in Premium Performance Wear

Lululemon has built a global reputation for creating high-performance athletic apparel that blends function with a premium, sleek aesthetic. Originally known for its yoga wear, the brand now outfits athletes across running, training, and golf. Its success is rooted in its innovative fabrics, meticulous construction, and a strong sense of community, appealing to consumers who view their activewear as a long-term investment in their fitness goals.

  • Product mix: Extensive range of leggings, sports bras, shorts, tanks, jackets, and accessories. Famous product lines include the Align leggings (Nulu fabric) for yoga and the Wunder Train leggings (Everlux fabric) for intense workouts.
  • Price point: Positioned in the premium category. Leggings cost between $98 and $128, while tops, bras, and outerwear range from $50 up to $200+.
  • Quality & Materials: The brand is a leader in fabric innovation. Signature materials like buttery-soft Nulu™, fast-drying Everlux™, and supportive Luon™ offer exceptional comfort, stretch, and durability. Their clothing is well-known for retaining its shape and performance after years of use.
  • Style & Aesthetic: Polished, sleek, and minimalist. Lululemon focuses on flattering fits and offers a palette ranging from core neutrals to seasonal brights, allowing for a refined and put-together athletic look.
  • Sizing/Fit: Known for its consistent and precise sizing, ranging from 0 to 14+. The fit is designed to be compressive and body-contouring, and it's often recommended to consult their detailed size guides for the best result.

With its advanced fabrics, durable construction, and flattering fits, Lululemon remains the top choice for serious athletes and anyone willing to invest in high-quality performance gear.

Shop Lululemon: shop.lululemon.com

All in Motion vs. Lululemon Comparison

Price Comparison

There is a stark price difference between the two brands. All in Motion is designed for accessibility, with leggings around $25 and t-shirts for as low as $12. A complete outfit from All in Motion will rarely cost more than $60.

Lululemon operates in the premium market. Their top-selling Align leggings start at $98, and a full outfit can easily exceed $200. While All in Motion wins on upfront cost, Lululemon loyalists argue that the superior durability and timeless style provide better long-term value, as their pieces often last for many years of heavy use.

Quality & Materials

Lululemon’s main advantage is its proprietary technical fabrics. Materials like Everlux are engineered to wick sweat and dry incredibly fast during intense workouts, while Nulu fabric offers a famously soft, weightless sensation perfect for yoga and low-impact activities. This emphasis on material science results in clothing that performs better and lasts longer.

All in Motion uses standard activewear materials like polyester and spandex blends, which are comfortable and offer good stretch for general activity. While functional for most gym sessions or daily wear, they don't have the same high-performance features, feel, or longevity as Lululemon's fabrics. They are more likely to show wear, such as pilling, after frequent washing and intense use.

Fit & Sizing

All in Motion prioritizes inclusivity with a sizing range that typically spans from XS to 3X. This makes the brand accessible to a wider variety of body types. Their fit is generally true to size and comfortable for everyday wear.

Lululemon offers a more precise but less inclusive range, typically from sizes 0 to 14. Their products are famous for a body-contouring, "held-in" feel that many athletes prefer for performance. The fit is exceptionally consistent across styles, which builds strong customer loyalty once shoppers find their correct size.

Shopping Experience

Shopping for All in Motion is convenient and straightforward. It's exclusively available at Target stores and online, an environment familiar to most shoppers. The experience is integrated with Target's easy return policy and frequent promotions.

Lululemon offers a more specialized, high-touch shopping experience. In-store "educators" provide expert advice on fabric and fit, and the stores are designed as community hubs. Their online platform is sleek, with detailed product information and styling recommendations, creating a more premium retail journey.

Sustainability & Ethics

Lululemon has made concrete public commitments to sustainability. They publish detailed impact reports, are moving towards using renewable and recycled materials, and have launched the "Like New" resale program to extend the life of their garments.

All in Motion's sustainability practices are part of Target's corporate-wide "Target Forward" initiative. While Target has goals for responsible sourcing and waste reduction, there is less specific information available about the environmental impact or material sourcing for the All in Motion brand itself.

Which One Should You Choose?

Both brands offer great activewear, but they cater to very different priorities and budgets. Your choice depends on how and where you'll be wearing the clothes.

Choose All in Motion if:

  • You're shopping on a strict budget.
  • You need versatile and stylish clothes for low-impact workouts and daily athleisure.
  • You want to buy multiple pieces to build a complete activewear wardrobe affordably.
  • You prioritize shopping at a convenient, one-stop retailer like Target.

Choose Lululemon if:

  • You are a dedicated athlete, yogi, or runner who needs high-performance gear.
  • Your top priority is fabric quality, feel, and long-term durability.
  • You are willing to invest in key pieces that will last for many years.
  • You prefer a precise, body-contouring fit for support during intense exercise.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is All in Motion or Lululemon cheaper?

All in Motion is significantly cheaper. It's a budget-friendly option, with most items priced under $30, whereas Lululemon is a premium brand where a single pair of leggings can cost over $100.

Which brand has better quality?

Lululemon has superior quality due to its proprietary technical fabrics and meticulous construction. Their products are engineered for high performance and exceptional durability, justifying the higher price point.

Do both brands offer men's clothing?

Yes, both brands have extensive and popular apparel lines for men, including shorts, joggers, t-shirts, and outerwear.

Which is better for yoga?

Lululemon is generally considered better for yoga. The brand was founded with a focus on yoga-specific apparel and is famous for its buttery-soft and lightweight Align leggings made from Nulu fabric. While All in Motion offers suitable gear for yoga, it cannot match Lululemon's specialized fabric technology.

How does the sizing compare?

All in Motion is more inclusive, typically offering sizes from XS to 3X. Lululemon provides more precise sizing from 0 to 14+. All in Motion generally fits true to size, while Lululemon is known for a consistent, body-sculpting fit.

Is All in Motion a good brand?

Yes, All in Motion is considered a good brand because it provides modern styles, decent quality, and an affordable price. It's an excellent choice for casual workouts and everyday athleisure, and for buyers on a strict budget.

Can you return items easily to both brands?

Yes. All in Motion enjoys the convenience of Target's straightforward 90-day return policy. Lululemon also offers a solid return policy, typically within 30 days for unworn merchandise, and is known for its Quality Promise, which covers performance issues.

Is Lululemon worth the price?

For many athletes, runners, and yogis, the answer is yes. Lululemon's cost is justified by its advanced fabrics, durability, and flattering fits. If you are not serious about workouts and do not prioritize technical features, more affordable options like All in Motion may offer better value for you.