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

Gymshark is a global brand known for its trendy, figure-flattering fitness apparel that’s heavily promoted by social media influencers. YoungLA, on the other hand, offers a more minimalist and versatile aesthetic, positioning itself as a high-quality yet affordable alternative for bodybuilders and casual gym-goers.

Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right activewear brand for your needs.

Gymshark: The Trend-Setting Fitness Icon

Founded in the UK, Gymshark has become a dominant force in the fitness apparel industry by mastering social media marketing and creating stylish, performance-oriented gear. The brand appeals to a young, fashion-conscious audience that wants their gym clothes to perform well and make a statement, blurring the lines between activewear and streetwear.

• Product mix: Known for its high-waisted leggings, seamless sports bras, crop tops, joggers, and oversized hoodies. Designs often feature bold branding, unique textures, and eye-catching colorways.
• Price point: Best described as mid-range. Leggings and tops typically fall between $30 and $70, with hoodies and outerwear costing more.
• Quality & Materials: Utilizes high-quality nylon, polyester, and elastane blends that offer excellent stretch, compression, and durability. The seamless construction is a hallmark of many of their popular collections.
• Sizing & Fit: Sizing generally runs true to size, from XS to XL. The fit is famously snug and compressive to accentuate the physique, which some may find tight.
• Style & Aesthetic: Bold, fashionable, and designed to stand out. Think flattering contour details, vibrant colors, and recognizable logos that signal you're part of the fitness in-crowd.
• Sales: Holds major sale events a few times a year (like their famous Black Friday sale) with discounts typically ranging from 20-30% off site-wide.

Gymshark excels at creating trendy, high-performance apparel with a strong community feel, making it the perfect choice for those who want their gym wear to be as fashionable as it is functional.

Shop Gymshark: www.gymshark.com

YoungLA: The High-Value Minimalist Alternative

YoungLA has carved out a significant space in the market by offering premium-looking activewear at a much more accessible price. The U.S.-based brand focuses on classic, clean designs with a strong emphasis on fit and functionality, appealing heavily to the bodybuilding community and anyone looking for great value.

• Product mix: Core offerings include compression shirts, joggers, tank tops, shorts, and hoodies. Their products are functional, focusing on essential pieces for serious training.
• Price point: Highly competitive and budget-friendly. Most apparel items are priced between $25 and $60, making it easier to build a full workout wardrobe without overspending.
• Quality & Materials: Emphasizes durable, moisture-wicking fabrics like polyester and spandex blends that hold up to intense workouts. While not as technically advanced as some Gymshark lines, the quality is exceptional for the price.
• Sizing & Fit: Offers a more inclusive size range from XS up to 3XL. Their fit is athletic - snug but comfortable - and is well-regarded for being consistent and true to size.
• Style & Aesthetic: Minimalist, versatile, and understated. You’ll find more neutral colors, clean lines, and subtle branding, making pieces easy to wear both in the gym and as casual streetwear.
• Sales: Known for frequent discounts, flash sales, and bundle deals that provide excellent value for shoppers.

YoungLA is the go-to brand for high-quality, no-nonsense activewear that provides an excellent fit and durability at a wallet-friendly price point.

Shop YoungLA: www.youngla.com

Gymshark vs. YoungLA Comparison

Price Comparison

YoungLA is the clear winner on price. Most of their core items - shorts, tees, and tanks - are in the $25-$50 range, while Gymshark's comparable products usually start at $30 and go up to $70. The value becomes even more apparent during sales events.

While Gymshark promotions are episodic and highly anticipated, YoungLA runs deals and bundles constantly. This makes YoungLA a more consistently affordable option for shoppers who need quality gear without the premium-brand markup.

Quality & Materials

Both brands deliver high-quality apparel suitable for demanding workouts. Gymshark often invests more in technical fabrics, proprietary blends, and advanced construction techniques like seamless knitting. This gives their top-tier collections a slight edge in terms of performance feel and specific features like targeted compression.

YoungLA, however, provides fantastic durability and comfort that punches well above its price tag. Their materials are moisture-wicking, flexible, and built to last through countless lifts and washes. For most gym-goers, the difference in material quality is minimal, especially considering the price disparity.

Style & Aesthetic

The brands are stylistically worlds apart. Gymshark is all about being seen. Their aesthetic is driven by trends, with figure-enhancing contours, vibrant shorts, and prominent logos. It's designed to make a statement and appeal to a social-media-savvy generation of fitness enthusiasts.

In contrast, YoungLA champions an understated, classic look. Their designs are simpler, with more muted and neutral color palettes and discreet branding. It's the kind of gear that looks athletic and sharp without screaming for attention, making it incredibly versatile for everyday wear.

Fit & Sizing

Both brands generally run true to size, but cater to slightly different fits and body types. Gymshark is famous for its compressive, "second-skin" fit, particularly in their women's leggings, which are designed to lift and sculpt. Their size range typically spans from XS to XL.

YoungLA offers a more relaxed yet still athletic fit and caters to a broader audience with sizes from XS up to 3XL. Their clothes are known to flatter a muscular build without being restrictive, which is a major reason for its popularity in the bodybuilding community.

Shopping Experience

Both brands provide a modern and seamless online shopping experience. Gymshark's website is polished, energetic, and visually driven by their well-known athletes and influencers. It creates a powerful brand story and sense of community.

YoungLA's site is more straightforward and product-focused. It's clean, easy to navigate, and efficiently directs you to their frequent sales and bundle pages. Both companies have responsive customer service and relatively standard return policies.

Sustainability & Ethics

Neither brand is a recognized leader in sustainability, but both are making progress. Gymshark has been more public about its efforts, introducing initiatives to use recycled materials and provide more transparency in their supply chain. This public commitment gives them a slight edge over YoungLA, which has less available information regarding its environmental and ethical practices.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right choice comes down to your personal priorities in style, budget, and fit.

Choose Gymshark if:

• You love trendy, stylish activewear that stands out.
• You want a compressive, figure-flattering fit.
• You follow fitness influencers and want the looks they wear.
• Brand recognition is important to you.

Choose YoungLA if:

• You are budget-conscious but don't want to sacrifice quality.
• You prefer a minimalist, versatile style that works for the gym and everyday life.
• You need a wider, more inclusive range of sizes.
• You appreciate an athletic fit designed to complement a muscular frame.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Gymshark or YoungLA cheaper?

YoungLA is significantly cheaper than Gymshark. Not only is their standard pricing lower across the board, but YoungLA also offers more frequent sales and bundle deals, providing better overall value for your money.

Which has better quality?

Both offer excellent quality for their respective price points. Gymshark has a slight edge in its highest-end collections due to technical fabrics and advanced construction. However, YoungLA's apparel is impressively durable and well-made, offering quality that rivals more expensive brands.

How does Gymshark sizing compare to YoungLA sizing?

Both typically fit true to size. Gymshark is known for a very snug, compressive feel, while YoungLA has a more classic athletic fit. The key difference is the size range - YoungLA is more inclusive, offering sizes up to 3XL, while Gymshark usually stops at XL.

Which brand is better for bodybuilding?

While athletes of all types wear both, YoungLA is particularly popular within the bodybuilding community. Its fit is designed to accommodate and flatter a muscular physique, and its understated aesthetic aligns well with traditional bodybuilding culture.

Is YoungLA a reputable brand?

Yes, YoungLA has quickly built a strong reputation. It is known among fitness enthusiasts as a trustworthy brand that delivers high-quality activewear at an affordable price, with responsive customer service and consistent product quality.

Does Gymshark run frequent sales?

Gymshark's sales are major events that happen just a few times a year, like during Black Friday. These events offer significant discounts, but outside of them, promotions are rare. YoungLA, in contrast, has sales and special offers running much more consistently.

What are the return policies?

Both brands have fairly standard online return policies. Typically, they offer returns on unworn items with tags attached within a set timeframe. YoungLA offers returns within 30 days, while Gymshark has a similar window. Be sure to check their websites directly for the most current policy details before purchasing.

Which brand is better for leggings?

Gymshark is generally considered the top choice for leggings. Their reputation was built on their form-fitting seamless and contouring leggings that offer excellent performance and aesthetics. While YoungLA makes quality leggings, it's a specialty category where Gymshark truly excels.