Astoria Activewear vs. Gymshark: Which brand should you buy?

Astoria Activewear focuses on trendy, colorful, and budget-friendly apparel with inclusive sizing, while Gymshark is a global performance brand known for its high-quality, durable materials and a minimalist, sleek aesthetic at a higher price point. Astoria is for shoppers who prioritize fashion and affordability, whereas Gymshark targets those who value long-lasting quality and materials designed for intense workouts.

Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right activewear brand for your fitness goals and personal style.

Astoria Activewear: The Trendy & Affordable Choice

Astoria Activewear caters to women looking for stylish and functional workout clothes that don't come with a high price tag. The brand blends fashion-forward designs with performance features, creating collections that appeal to those who want vibrant and eye-catching pieces. They often feature bold patterns and modern silhouettes, making their apparel suitable for both the gym and everyday wear.

• Product mix: A wide range of women's leggings, sports bras, tops, and hoodies. Collections are often defined by bright colors, vibrant patterns, and figure-flattering cuts.
• Price point: Very accessible for most shoppers. Leggings are typically priced between $25-$40, with sports bras ranging from $15-$25.
• Quality: Uses a reliable mix of polyester, spandex, and recycled fabrics that provide good stretch and moisture-wicking. While they hold up well, some of the lower-priced options might show wear or pilling after extensive use and washing.
• Sizing/Fit: Focuses on inclusivity, offering sizes from XS to 3X. The fit is generally true to size, but for a more comfortable or less compressive feel, sizing up is sometimes recommended.
• Style & Aesthetic: Bold, energetic, and expressive. If you enjoy standing out at the gym with unique patterns and bright colors, Astoria's designs will appeal to you.
• Sustainability: The brand emphasizes its use of eco-friendly and recycled fabrics in its products and promotes ethical manufacturing standards.

Astoria Activewear is the ideal choice for those who want fun, stylish workout gear on a budget and value brands with an inclusive approach to sizing.

Shop Astoria Activewear: astoriaactivewear.com

Gymshark: The Performance Powerhouse

Gymshark has established itself as a global leader in fitness apparel, appealing to serious athletes and casual gym-goers alike. The brand is built on performance-driven design, utilizing high-quality materials and a more minimalist and modern aesthetic. Their products are made to withstand intense training sessions while offering comfort and a supportive, often compressive, fit.

• Product mix: Performance-focused leggings, sports bras, shorts, tops, and outerwear for both men and women. Known for their seamless collections that offer exceptional comfort and flexibility.
• Price point: Positioned in a mid-tier to premium range. Leggings typically cost between $40-$60, while sports bras run from $25-$40.
• Quality: Excellent durability and high-performance fabric technology. Their fabrics are known for shape retention, sweat-wicking properties, and squat-proof opacity, making them a long-lasting investment.
• Sizing/Fit: Known for a consistent, snug fit, with sizes often ranging from XS to XL. The compression in many of their pieces is designed to be supportive, so those who prefer a looser fit might consider sizing up.
• Style & Aesthetic: Sleek, understated, and versatile. Gymshark favors simple branding and neutral or monochrome color palettes that create a clean, modern look.
• Sales: Holds major sale events several times a year, offering significant discounts that make their premium apparel much more accessible.

Gymshark excels for customers who prioritize technical performance, high-quality durable materials, and a timeless, minimalist style in their activewear choices.

Shop Gymshark: gymshark.com

Astoria Activewear vs. Gymshark Comparison

Price Comparison

There is a clear difference in price between the two brands. Astoria Activewear is the more budget-friendly option by a significant margin. You can typically buy a full outfit (leggings and a sports bra) from Astoria for the price of just one pair of Gymshark leggings. For example, Astoria's leggings often stay under $40, while Gymshark's popular collections start at $40 and go up from there.

Gymshark justifies its higher price point with advanced fabric technology and a reputation for durability. While more expensive upfront, many find the investment is worthwhile for gear that lasts longer through tough workouts. Shoppers on a tighter budget will find better value with Astoria.

Quality & Materials

Gymshark's main differentiator is its material innovation. The brand is known for its proprietary seamless fabrics, which are engineered for flexibility, comfort, and a "second-skin" feel. Their leggings are famous for being squat-proof and holding their shape over time, demonstrating excellent durability.

Astoria uses standard activewear fabrics like polyester and spandex blends, which offer good stretch and moisture-wicking for most general workouts. While functional, they don't have the same high-performance reputation as Gymshark. Astoria provides solid quality for its price, but Gymshark's materials are designed for better longevity and performance during high-intensity activity.

Style & Aesthetic

The visual style of these two brands could not be more different. Astoria Activewear embraces bold, vibrant, and trendy designs. Their collections are full of eye-catching patterns, bright color-blocking, and designs meant to make a statement. It's a brand for someone who enjoys expressing their personality through their workout clothes.

Gymshark, on the other hand, is built on a sleek, minimalist aesthetic. Their color palette leans toward neutrals, monochromes, and solid colors with subtle branding. The look is more timeless, versatile, and focused on function, easily transitioning from the gym to everyday life without looking flashy.

Fit & Sizing

Astoria clearly prioritizes inclusive sizing, offering sizes ranging from XS to 3X across many of its products. Their goal is to provide flattering fits for a wide variety of body types, and their sizing generally runs true to size. This makes shopping online with them fairly straightforward.

Gymshark's sizing is consistent but more limited, typically from XS to XL, though some collections are expanding their range. The fit is famously snug and compressive, designed to support muscles during exercise. This is ideal for those who love a secure, held-in feel but might feel too tight for those who prefer more relaxed activewear.

Sustainability & Ethics

As a smaller brand, Astoria is vocal about its use of eco-friendly materials and ethical manufacturing practices. This focus appeals to consumers who want to make more conscious purchasing decisions.

Gymshark, being a much larger global company, is making moves toward greater sustainability, such as incorporating more recycled materials. However, its scale also brings more complexity and scrutiny to its supply chain. For shoppers where sustainability is a primary factor, Astoria's direct messaging may be more compelling.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right brand really depends on your priorities, from your workout routine to your personal style and budget.

Choose Astoria Activewear if:

• You're shopping on a budget and want to get the most for your money.
• You love wearing bold patterns, vibrant colors, and trendy designs to the gym.
• Inclusive sizing is important to you, and you are looking for options beyond a standard XL.
• Your workouts are generally low to medium intensity, and you want cute, multifunctional pieces.

Choose Gymshark if:

• You prioritize fabric performance, durability, and a secure fit for intense training.
• You prefer a clean, minimalist, and versatile aesthetic with neutral colors.
• You're willing to invest more in activewear that is built to last.
• A snug, compressive fit that supports your muscles is a must for your workouts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Astoria or Gymshark cheaper?

Astoria Activewear is significantly cheaper. Their leggings cost around $25-$40, while Gymshark leggings typically range from $40-$60. You can often purchase an entire outfit from Astoria for the price of one item from Gymshark.

Which has better quality fabric, Astoria or Gymshark?

Gymshark is widely recognized for its higher-quality, more durable, and innovative fabrics. Their proprietary materials, especially their seamless collections, are known for excellent performance and longevity. Astoria offers good quality for its price point, but it's not on the same performance level as Gymshark.

Is Gymshark squat-proof?

Yes, one of Gymshark's main selling points is that many of their leggings are squat-proof. They often use dense, high-quality fabrics specifically tested to prevent sheerness during deep movements like squats.

How does Astoria Activewear sizing run?

Astoria Activewear sizing generally runs true to size. They are also focused on inclusivity, offering sizes from XS up to 3X in many of their styles to accommodate more body types.

Is Gymshark's sizing inclusive?

Compared to Astoria, Gymshark's sizing is more limited. Their core range usually runs from XS to XL. While they have started offering extended sizes in some collections, inclusivity is a stronger feature of the Astoria brand.

What is the return policy for each brand?

Both brands offer similar return windows, typically around 30 days for unworn items with tags attached. Be sure to check their websites for the most current policy details before purchasing, as they can sometimes vary based on promotions or location.

Which brand is better for high-intensity training?

Gymshark is the better choice for high-intensity training. Its fabrics are specifically designed for superior sweat-wicking, durability, and support during intense activities. The compressive fit offers muscle support that many athletes prefer.

Which brand is more sustainable?

Astoria places a strong emphasis on sustainability in its brand marketing, highlighting its use of recycled materials and ethical practices. As a larger corporation, Gymshark is taking steps to become more sustainable but faces more challenges in transparency. For conscious consumers, Astoria's focused messaging might be more appealing.