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

Fabletics is known for its affordable, trendy activewear sold through a subscription model, while Gymshark offers performance-focused, minimalist styles popular with the gym and influencer community at a mid-range price. In contrast, Lululemon is the premium choice, defined by its exceptionally high-quality materials, superior durability, and luxury price point.

Let's compare these three activewear giants to help you decide which brand is the right investment for your fitness wardrobe.

Fabletics: Trendy Styles & Subscription Value

Co-founded by Kate Hudson, Fabletics burst onto the scene with a unique membership model that delivers stylish and functional activewear at an accessible price. The brand's target audience is broad, focusing on shoppers who want fashion-forward designs, fun prints, and coordinated sets without a hefty price tag. They excel at offering inclusivity with an extensive size range that caters to many body types.

• Product mix: A wide array of leggings, sports bras, tops, and outerwear. Fabletics is known for its matching sets, bold patterns, and vibrant color palettes that are updated monthly.
• Price point: Extremely budget-friendly with a VIP Membership. Leggings are often available for as low as $20-$50, making it one of the most affordable options for trendy gear. Non-member prices are significantly higher.
• Quality: The quality is decent for the price paid as a member. They use comfortable polyester and spandex blends, but materials may show wear, like pilling, sooner than more premium brands.
• Fit & Sizing: Highly inclusive, offering sizes from XXS to 4X. The fit is generally true to size, although reviews can be mixed depending on the specific fabric and style.
• Rewards program: The core of Fabletics is its VIP Membership program, where a monthly fee is converted into a shopping credit. Members get access to steep discounts (up to 50% off) and exclusive collections.
• Return policy: Offers free returns and exchanges within 90 days for store credit, making it easy to try out different styles.

Fabletics is the go-to for shoppers who prioritize variety and affordability over long-term durability and enjoy updating their activewear frequently with the latest trends.

Shop Fabletics: fabletics.com

Gymshark: The Performance & Style Mid-Ranger

Founded in the UK, Gymshark built its empire on social media by partnering with fitness influencers. The brand is synonymous with performance and a modern, sleek aesthetic aimed at younger, dedicated gym-goers. Their products are designed to be functional for intense workouts while featuring flattering cuts and seamless designs that have become iconic within the fitness community.

• Product mix: Specializes in high-performance leggings, shorts, sports bras, and hoodies. Their Seamless collections are especially popular for their comfort and physique-enhancing contours.
• Price point: Positioned in a sweet spot between budget and luxury. Leggings generally cost between $30 and $70. They also have major sales events, like their Black Friday sale, with significant markdowns.
• Quality: Gymshark uses soft, stretchy, and moisture-wicking performance fabrics perfect for tough workouts. While the quality is strong for the price, it doesn't quite match the premium feel or longevity of Lululemon.
• Fit & Sizing: Sizes typically range from XS to XXL. The brand is known for a snug, athletic fit, especially in their seamless collections, so some customers recommend sizing up if they are between sizes.
• Sales: Holds a few major sales each year where prices are heavily discounted, making them highly anticipated events for their loyal fanbase.
• Return policy: Offers a straightforward 30-day return policy, with returns being free in most regions.

With its modern aesthetic and focus on functionality, Gymshark hits the mark for fitness enthusiasts who want reliable, stylish performance gear at a reasonable price.

Shop Gymshark: gymshark.com

Lululemon: The Premium Activewear Standard

Lululemon is a Canadian brand that helped create the modern athleisure market by blending high-performance athletic wear with an element of everyday luxury. Their reputation is built on proprietary, high-tech fabrics and impeccable construction that provides unparalleled comfort and durability. The brand targets consumers who view activewear as an investment and are willing to pay a premium for a superior fit and feel.

• Product mix: Best known for yoga pants and leggings in signature fabrics, Lululemon also offers a full range of tops, bras, jackets, and accessories for yoga, running, training, and casual wear.
• Price point: A premium, high-end brand. Their famous leggings typically retail between $98 and $128, and sales outside of their "We Made Too Much" section are rare.
• Quality & Materials: Unmatched in the activewear space. Proprietary fabrics like buttery-soft Nulu (for Align pants) and cool-to-the-touch Everlux (for Wunder Train) offer incredible performance, shape retention, and durability.
• Fit & Sizing: Offers sizes from 0 to 20. Known for its consistent and flattering fit that contours and supports the body perfectly. Their sizing is highly reliable across different product lines.
• Return policy: Offers returns on unworn items within 30 days. However, items from their "We Made Too Much" final sale section cannot be returned.
• Services: Offers complimentary hemming in all stores and runs community events like free yoga classes, fostering strong brand loyalty.

Lululemon is the definitive choice for those who want long-lasting, versatile pieces that perform exceptionally well during workouts and look great as everyday casual wear.

Shop Lululemon: shop.lululemon.com

Fabletics vs. Gymshark vs. Lululemon Comparison

Price Comparison

The price differences between these three brands are stark. Fabletics is the clear winner for budget shoppers, with its VIP membership allowing regular access to leggings around the $20-$50 mark. This model makes trend-driven activewear highly accessible.

Gymshark occupies the middle ground. Its leggings, ranging from $30-$70, represent a great value for performance-oriented gear that looks and feels more expensive than it is. Their big seasonal sales make their products even more accessible.

Lululemon sits firmly in the premium category. With leggings costing $98-$128, it’s a significant investment. The justification is in the material innovation, longevity, and comfort that many customers feel is unmatched, viewing it as a better long-term value despite the high initial cost.

Quality & Materials

Lululemon is in a league of its own when it comes to quality. Their proprietary fabrics like Nulu, Luon, and Everlux have a distinct luxurious feel, excellent moisture-wicking properties, and incredible shape retention after dozens of washes. This is activewear designed to last for years.

Gymshark offers very good quality for its price point. Their seamless fabrics are soft, flexible, and fully squat-proof. While durable, they may not withstand years of heavy use as well as Lululemon and can be more prone to showing wear over time.

Fabletics quality is good relative to the price for members. Their fabrics are comfortable and functional for most workouts, but they are not on par with the other brands. They are more likely to pill or stretch out with repeated, intense use, which may be a fair tradeoff for those who prioritize variety.

Style & Aesthetic

The three brands cater to distinct style preferences. Fabletics is all about fun, fashion-forward activewear. Expect bright colors, bold patterns, and trendy cutouts. It’s perfect for those who want to make a statement at the gym and love having coordinated sets.

Gymshark has defined the modern gym aesthetic with sleek, minimalist designs that emphasize the physique. Its color palettes are often muted or tonal, with bold branding, focusing on a clean, sporty look popular on Instagram.

Lululemon’s aesthetic is sophisticated and versatile. Their pieces are designed with a clean, classic look and minimalist branding, enabling them to transition seamlessly from a yoga class to running errands. Their focus is on timeless styles rather than fast-fashion trends.

Fit & Sizing

Fabletics is the most inclusive brand, with sizes that go up to 4X. The commitment to serving a wide range of body types is a central part of their appeal. Their fit is generally considered true to size and comfortable.

Gymshark sizes usually run from XS to XXL and are famous for their figure-hugging, compressive fit that suits an athletic build. Some find their sizing to be a little inconsistent across different collections, with some shoppers preferring to size up.

Lululemon offers sizes from 0 to 20 and is renowned for its impeccable fit. Their clothing combines the perfect combination of compression and stretch, and the sizing is extremely consistent across all styles.

Which One Should You Choose?

The best brand for you depends entirely on your budget, style preferences, and how you prioritize your activewear needs.

Choose Fabletics if:

• You're shopping on a budget and love getting great deals through the VIP membership.
• You love keeping up with the latest activewear trends.
• Inclusivity is important to you, and you appreciate a wide range of sizes.
• You like coordinating sets and bold prints for a fashion-forward look and want an activewear wardrobe that's fun and varied.

Choose Gymshark if:

• You prioritize performance and materials that hold up in intensive workouts.
• You love a modern, clean aesthetic that accentuates the physique.
• You're inspired by fitness influencers and the gym community.
• You like shopping for great deals during their famous sales.

Choose Lululemon if:

• You value high-quality activewear as an investment.
• You appreciate the buttery-soft, luxe feel of their patented fabrics.
• You want versatile pieces that look just as stylish outside of the gym.
• You prefer timeless classics over fast-fashion trends.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lululemon really worth the money?

For many, the answer is yes. While the initial cost of Lululemon apparel is high, its superior fabric technology, durability, and shape retention mean that pieces can last for several years of frequent use. If you prioritize long-term quality and a premium feel, it's often considered a worthwhile investment.

Which brand is best for intense exercising like running or weightlifting?

Gymshark and Lululemon are both excellent choices for intense workouts. Gymshark is designed specifically for performance in the gym, with materials that are durable and supportive for lifting. Lululemon's ranges like Everlux (Wunder Train line) are engineered for high-intensity training, offering fast-drying and highly breathable fabric perfect for running and HIIT.

How does the Fabletics membership work?

The Fabletics VIP Membership is a subscription where you're charged $59.95 each month. This charge becomes a "Member Credit" that you can use to buy any outfit or item up to $100. You get access to heavily discounted prices, and you have the option to "Skip the Month" by the 5th of each month to avoid being charged.

Do Fabletics, Gymshark, or Lululemon run true to size?

Lululemon is known for being very true to size and consistent across its collections. Fabletics is also generally true to size and offers a broad range from XS to 4X. Gymshark's fit can be more athletic or compressive, so some customers choose to size up, especially if they are between sizes or prefer a less snug fit.

Which brand has the best sales?

Fabletics consistently offers the lowest prices to its VIP members, functioning like a perpetual sale. Gymshark is famous for its major seasonal sales (like Black Friday and summer sales) where prices are deeply cut, making it the best time to buy. Lululemon rarely holds site-wide sales, offering modest discounts only in its "We Made Too Much" section on overstock items.

What are the return policies for each brand?

Fabletics has a generous 90-day return window for store credit, exchanges, or refunds if you're a VIP member. Gymshark accepts returns within 30 days of receipt, with the process usually being free. Lululemon accepts returns on unworn merchandise with tags attached within 30 days, but all items marked as 'final sale' are not eligible for return.

Which brand is the most durable?

Lululemon has the strongest reputation for durability. Its premium, well-constructed garments are known to resist pilling, fading, and stretching, even after years of use and washing, making them a leader in activewear longevity.

Can you shop at Fabletics without a membership?

Yes, you can purchase items from Fabletics without a VIP membership. However, you will pay full retail price, which is significantly higher (often double) than what VIP members pay for the same products.