Alphalete vs. Gymshark: Which brand should you buy? [2026]

Alphalete targets fitness enthusiasts who value premium quality and a minimalist aesthetic, often at a slightly higher price point. In contrast, Gymshark caters to a younger, more trend-focused audience with vibrant designs, bold branding, and more accessible prices, cementing its place as a social media-driven powerhouse.

Let's break down everything you need to know to decide which activewear brand is the right fit for your training and style.

Alphalete: Premium, Minimalist Performance Activewear

Founded in 2015 by fitness influencer Christian Guzman, Alphalete is synonymous with high-performance activewear that features a clean, sophisticated aesthetic. The brand is for the dedicated athlete who wants durable, flattering gear that looks just as good in the gym as it does outside. They focus on superior fabrics, squat-proof construction, and versatile pieces that stand the test of time.

• Product mix: Their core offerings include seamless leggings, supportive sports bras, performance tops, and versatile hoodies and joggers designed for function and style.
• Price point: Alphalete sits in the premium-accessible range. Expect leggings from $65-$80, sports bras from $40-$55, and tops from $30-$50.
• Quality: This is where Alphalete shines. The brand is known for its high-quality, durable fabrics that are sweat-wicking, squat-proof, and hold their shape after many washes. The feel is often more substantial compared to competitors.
• Sizing/Fit: Alphalete is generally praised for its consistent, true-to-size fit. Their high-waisted leggings are known for offering excellent compression and a flattering, body-contouring feel without being restrictive.
• Sales: Alphalete runs promotions during major holidays and seasonal drops, which is a great time to buy their premium gear at a discount.
• Return policy: The brand typically offers a standard 30-day return window for items that are unworn and have tags attached.

Alphalete delivers high-quality construction and a refined, subtle style, making it a reliable choice for those prepared to invest in long-lasting performance activewear.

Shop Alphalete: alphalete.com

Gymshark: Trendy, Community-Driven Fitness Apparel

Since its launch in a UK garage in 2012, Gymshark has become one of the most recognizable activewear brands in the world. It thrives on a youthful, trend-forward aesthetic and a massive influencer-driven community. Gymshark is for the modern gym-goer who loves bold colors, prominent logos, and designs that make a statement at an affordable price.

• Product mix: Gymshark offers a vast selection of activewear, including their famous leggings collections like Seamless and Flex, alongside sports bras, crop tops, joggers, Stringer Tanks, and casual wear.
• Price point: Gymshark is notably more budget-friendly. Leggings range from $40-$60, sports bras are around $30-$45, and tops can start as low as $20.
• Quality: The quality is good for its price point, with lightweight, stretchy fabrics that provide comfort and support for most workouts. While generally durable, some materials may not offer the same longevity as Alphalete’s premium options.
• Sizing/Fit: Gymshark sizing is generally reliable, but some collections are known to run slightly small or offer more compression. It's often recommended to size up if you are between sizes or prefer a less compressive fit.
• Sales: Gymshark is famous for its massive Black Friday and other seasonal sales, where you can find discounts of up to 70% off, causing a frenzy among fans.
• Return policy: They also provide a 30-day return policy, with an easy-to-use online portal for processing returns.

With its focus on fashion-forward designs, community, and accessible pricing, Gymshark is the go-to brand for stylish fitness enthusiasts on a budget.

Shop Gymshark: gymshark.com

Alphalete vs. Gymshark Comparison

Price Comparison

There is a clear difference in price between the two brands. Alphalete is positioned as a more premium brand, with leggings typically priced between $65 and $80. Their higher price reflects a focus on more durable, technical materials.

Gymshark is the more affordable option. Most of their popular leggings fall in the $40 to $60 range. This budget-friendly approach makes it easier for a wider audience to own multiple sets. While both brands hold sales, Gymshark's are famously large-scale events that offer deeper, sitewide discounts.

Quality & Materials

Alphalete's primary strength is its material quality and construction. Their fabrics often feel thicker, more compressive, and more durable, making them ideal for intense, frequent training sessions. Their seamless leggings are exceptionally well-regarded for being completely squat-proof and holding up over time.

Gymshark offers solid quality for the price, using stretchy, breathable fabrics that are comfortable and supportive for most activities. However, comparing their base materials to Alphalete's, they can feel a bit thinner and may be more prone to showing wear and tear over extended time.

Style & Aesthetic

The brands' aesthetics are a key differentiator. Alphalete champions a minimalist and sophisticated look. Their color palettes are often more muted and neutral, designs are sleek, and branding is subtle. It’s an aesthetic that transitions seamlessly from the gym to everyday life. It prioritizes fit and form over flashy designs.

Gymshark's style is trendy, bold, and energetic. They utilize vibrant colors, eye-catching color blocking, unique patterns, and prominent logos. Their designs are heavily informed by social media trends, creating a more youthful and fashion-forward look designed to be noticed.

Fit & Sizing

Alphalete is widely considered to have a very consistent, true-to-size fit across its collections. Customers have confidence ordering their usual size, and their garments are known for their body-contouring, high-waisted bands that stay in place during exercise.

Gymshark's sizing can be less consistent across different collections. Some items, particularly compression-focused leggings, may run small. It's often a good practice to read reviews for specific products, as many customers suggest sizing up if you are between sizes for a more comfortable fit.

Sustainability & Ethics

Both brands are making moves toward greater sustainability, but are not yet leaders in this area. Alphalete’s emphasis on durability and high quality means their products are designed to last longer, which inherently reduces waste. They have also introduced eco-friendly packaging.

Gymshark has made tangible strides by incorporating recycled materials into some of its product lines and is working on improving transparency within its supply chain. Given their large scale of production, these changes have a significant impact, but both brands have room to grow in this area.

Return Policies

The return policies for both brands are nearly identical, offering customers a great deal of flexibility. Both Alphalete and Gymshark offer a 30-day return window for unwashed and unworn items with tags attached. The process for both is primarily handled through online portals, making returns straightforward for shoppers.

Which One Should You Choose?

Both activewear brands are excellent, but they are built for different people with different priorities.

Choose Alphalete if:

• You're willing to invest in premium, durable materials that will last for years.
• You prefer a minimalist, sleek, and understated style with subtle branding.
• A consistent, true-to-size fit is a top priority for you.
• You need squat-proof durability for serious weightlifting and intense workouts.

Choose Gymshark if:

• You are shopping on a tighter budget and want great value.
• You love trendy styles, bold colors, and being part of a massive online fitness movement.
• You enjoy having a wide variety of designs and colors to choose from.
• You are looking for versatile activewear for both gym workouts and casual activities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Alphalete or Gymshark cheaper?

Gymshark is significantly cheaper. On average, you can expect to pay about 20-30% less for leggings, bras, and tops from Gymshark compared to Alphalete.

Which brand is better quality?

Alphalete is generally regarded as having higher quality, more durable materials. Their fabrics often feel more premium and are built to withstand intense training over a longer period. Gymshark offers good quality for its price but is not on the same premium level.

Which brand is better for squats?

Alphalete is more consistently known for its squat-proof leggings. While many Gymshark collections are also squat-proof, Alphalete makes it a core focus of its product design and quality control, giving them an edge in reliability.

Does Alphalete or Gymshark run true to size?

Alphalete has a reputation for being very true to size and consistent across its collections. Gymshark's sizing can vary, with some shoppers finding pieces, especially those with high compression, to run small.

How often do Alphalete and Gymshark have sales?

Both brands have sales, but Gymshark's are more frequent and larger in scale. Gymshark is famous for its major seasonal events like the Black Friday and Summer sales, a stark departure from the less regular, more seasonal sales from Alphalete.

What are the return policies for Alphalete and Gymshark?

Both brands offer a 30-day return policy for unused items with the original tags still attached, making the experience fairly similar and risk-free for customers of both.

Which brand has a better community feel?

Both brands have strong, loyal communities. However, Gymshark's community is much larger and more visible due to their extensive network of global influencers and massive social media presence. Alphalete's community is more tight-knit and centered around founder Christian Guzman and the ever-improving consumer-forward vision.