Alphalete vs. Gymshark Leggings: Which one should you buy?

The main difference between leggings from Alphalete and Gymshark comes down to style and quality. Alphalete offers premium, minimalist leggings with a focus on durable, high-performance materials and a sleek fit, positioning them at a slightly higher price point. Gymshark focuses on trendy, vibrant leggings with bold branding at a more affordable price, appealing to a younger, social media-savvy audience.

Here’s everything you need to know to decide which activewear brand is right for you.

Alphalete Leggings

Alphalete is known for its high-quality, performance-focused activewear that features a clean, minimalist aesthetic. Their leggings are celebrated for having a flattering, supportive fit and being made from durable, squat-proof fabrics, making them a favorite for those serious about their workouts and their style.

• What it is: Premium, high-performance leggings designed for durability, comfort, and a sleek, modern look.
• Key features: Flattering fit that sculpts and supports, squat-proof opacity, minimalist designs with subtle branding, and high-quality construction.
• Price: $50 - $70
• Materials/Construction: Crafted from performance blends of nylon and spandex, which are known for great stretch recovery and resistance to pilling. Seams are often reinforced with flatlock stitching for durability and comfort.
• Sizing/Fit: Tends to run true to size with a high-waisted, compressive, and sculpting fit. The brand provides detailed size guides for accuracy.
• Pros: Excellent durability and fabric quality. Minimalist designs are versatile for both gym and casual wear. The supportive fit is great for weightlifting and intense training. Fabric feels soft and high-end.
• Cons: Higher price point compared to Gymshark. Fewer vibrant color and pattern options. Sales events are less frequent.

These leggings are perfect for anyone who values long-lasting quality and a timeless, versatile athletic style and is willing to invest a little more for it.

Shop this product: alphalete.com

Gymshark Leggings

Gymshark is a global fitness apparel giant famous for its trendy, youthful aesthetic and its massive community of social media influencers and fans. Their leggings stand out with eye-catching designs, vibrant colors, and figure-enhancing fits that make a statement in and out of the gym.

• What it is: Fashion-forward activewear leggings with a focus on bold designs, affordability, and community promotion.
• Key features: Trend-focused designs with unique patterns, cutouts, and vibrant colorways. Prominent logo placement. Moisture-wicking fabrics and figure-contouring details.
• Price: $30 - $60
• Materials/Construction: Typically made from polyester and elastane blends, providing good stretch and moisture-wicking properties for workouts. Quality can vary slightly between different collections.
• Sizing/Fit: Known for a high-waisted, shape-enhancing fit. Generally runs true to size, though some popular styles can fit differently, so checking reviews is a good idea. Offer an extensive range of sizes, including tall fits.
• Pros: Affordable price point makes them more accessible. Huge variety of trendy styles and colors. Frequent new releases and aggressive sales. Strong body-positive and inclusive community.
• Cons: Some styles may pill or lose elasticity more quickly over time. Quality is not as consistently high across all collections. Bold branding isn't suitable for everyone's taste.

This brand is ideal for trend-conscious shoppers who want vibrant, affordable activewear and love being part of a larger fitness community.

Shop this product: gymshark.com

Alphalete vs. Gymshark Leggings Comparison

Price & Value

Gymshark is the clear winner on price, with leggings typically ranging from $30 to $50, while Alphalete’s options are usually between $50 and $70. Gymshark also runs frequent and deeply discounted sales, making their already affordable leggings even more accessible.

However, value is subjective. Alphalete’s higher price reflects its use of more premium materials and a focus on durability, meaning a single pair might last longer through heavy use and washes. If your priority is longevity, Alphalete offers great value. If your priority is variety and affordability, Gymshark is the better choice.

Quality & Materials

Alphalete prioritizes quality with its signature nylon and spandex blend fabrics. This material combination results in a soft, supportive feel that’s highly resistant to pilling and holds its shape well. The leggings are consistently squat-proof and designed for serious, long-term performance.

Gymshark most often uses polyester and elastane blends, which are effective for moisture-wicking and stretch. While their popular collections are reliable and perform well, the quality can be less consistent across the entire range. Some users report pilling or loss of elasticity in certain styles after extensive wear, which is a trade-off for the lower price.

Style & Aesthetic

The two brands occupy very different style spaces. Alphalete's aesthetic is modern, sleek, and minimalist. They favor neutral tones, muted pastels, and clean lines with very subtle branding. This makes their leggings highly versatile and easy to wear outside of the gym. Styles are timeless rather than trend-driven.

Gymshark is all about trends and making a statement. Their collections feature bold and bright colors, unique prints, and prominent logos. Designs often include contouring details meant to visibly enhance your shape. If you like your gym outfits to be eye-catching and current, Gymshark delivers exactly that.

Fit & Sizing

Both brands excel at creating high-waisted, flattering designs that offer good support and tummy control. Alphalete's fit is generally very sculpting and compressive, hugging the body securely during movements. They are known for running true to size.

Gymshark also offers a figure-hugging, high-waisted fit, though the level of compression can vary between styles. While they generally fit true to size, it can be beneficial to read customer reviews for specific collections, as some might run slightly smaller or larger. Gymshark does offer a good range of sizes, often including tall options that Alphalete doesn't consistently provide.

Which One Should You Choose?

Both brands offer excellent leggings, but they serve different priorities and personal styles.

Choose Alphalete if:

• You prioritize fabric quality, durability, and a premium feel.
• You prefer a minimalist, versatile style with subtle branding that works for both gym and life.
• You want a consistently supportive, sculpting fit that’s ideal for weight training.
• You are willing to invest more in a pair of leggings you expect to last a long time.

Choose Gymshark if:

• You are shopping on a budget and love catching a good sale.
• You enjoy bold, trendy styles, vibrant colors, and showing off brand loyalty.
• You like to have a large variety of leggings to rotate through your workout wardrobe.
• You want to feel connected to a massive, social media-driven fitness community.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the main difference between Alphalete and Gymshark leggings?

The biggest differences are style and price. Alphalete offers minimalist, premium-quality leggings for around $50-$70. Gymshark offers trendy, brightly colored leggings at a more affordable price of $30-$60.

Which leggings are better for serious weightlifting?

Both brands are popular for lifting. However, many users prefer Alphalete for its consistently high-quality, compressive fabric that provides excellent support and durability during intense workouts like squats and deadlifts.

Are Alphalete leggings worth the higher price?

For those who value long-term durability, minimal pilling, and a premium feel, Alphalete leggings are widely considered a good investment. The quality of the materials and construction often means they hold up better over time compared to more budget-friendly options.

Are Gymshark leggings squat-proof?

Yes, most of Gymshark's popular collections are designed to be squat-proof. However, it's always a good idea to check customer reviews on a specific color or style, as some lighter colors can be less opaque than darker ones.

Do Alphalete leggings run true to size?

Yes, Alphalete leggings generally run true to size. They offer a compressive fit, so if you're between sizes, you might consider sizing up for more comfort or staying with your size for maximum support.

Which brand is more size-inclusive?

Both brands offer a good range of sizes. However, Gymshark often provides a wider variety of fits, such as tall or curvy options in specific legging styles, which might cater to a broader range of body types.

Which brand has more frequent and better sales?

Gymshark is known for its frequent and aggressive sales events, like their major Black Friday and summer sales, where you can find leggings heavily discounted. Alphalete has sales far less often.

What do the fabrics actually feel like?

Alphalete’s nylon blends typically feel softer, thicker, and more “luxe” or buttery to the touch. Gymshark’s polyester blends usually feel slicker and more athletic, with a very high-stretch character that feels lightweight during sweaty workouts.