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

Gymshark is known for its trendy, affordable, and body-conscious activewear aimed at a younger, social-media-savvy audience focused on gym performance. In contrast, Athleta offers versatile, premium-quality apparel with a strong emphasis on sustainability, comfort, and inclusive sizing that transitions from workouts to everyday life.

Let's compare these two activewear brands to help you decide which one best fits your style, budget, and fitness needs.

Gymshark: The Trend-Driven Fitness Favorite

Gymshark is a UK-based fitness apparel brand that has exploded in popularity, particularly with Gen Z and millennial gym-goers. The brand’s identity is built around a sleek, modern aesthetic and vibrant social media presence, often leveraging top fitness influencers. Their form-fitting designs are engineered to flatter the physique, making them an extremely popular choice for weightlifting and high-intensity training sessions.

• Product mix: Specializes in gym-focused apparel, including seamless leggings, high-support sports bras, crop tops, and tanks. Collections often feature bold color palettes, minimalist logos, and figure-enhancing details like contouring.
• Price point: Mid-range and accessible, with most items priced between $30 and $70. This makes it a popular option for those wanting stylish gear without a huge financial commitment.
• Quality: Uses high-performance, sweat-wicking stretch fabrics designed to support intense movement. Quality is generally solid for the price, though some users note it can vary slightly between different collections.
• Sizing/Fit: Tends to run true to size, but its body-contouring styles are compressive and can feel tight or small to some, especially in leggings. The fit is intentionally snug to highlight and support an athletic build.
• Shopping experience: A digital-native brand sold almost exclusively through its website. The experience is driven by frequent new product "drops" and influencer marketing, creating a high-energy, trend-focused atmosphere.

Gymshark is ideal for the fitness enthusiast who wants stylish, performance-oriented gear that looks as good in an Instagram post as it feels in the gym.

Shop Gymshark: gymshark.com

Athleta: The Leader in Versatile & Sustainable Activewear

As part of the Gap Inc. family, Athleta has established itself as a premium activewear brand dedicated to empowering women through inclusive sizing and sustainable practices. Catering to a broader female demographic, Athleta's products are designed for versatility, perfect for everything from yoga and running to running errands. The aesthetic is more timeless and functional, focusing on comfort and durability.

• Product mix: Offers a wide range of apparel for yoga, training, running, and daily life, including leggings, tops, jackets, dresses, and swimwear. Designs are typically classic and functional, with neutral and earthy color palettes.
• Price point: In the premium category, with most items falling between $40 and $120. The higher cost reflects an investment in sustainable materials, ethical production, and long-lasting quality.
• Quality: Known for superior quality and durable, soft fabrics. Many products are made from sustainable materials like recycled polyester and organic cotton. It is a certified B Corporation, meeting high standards of social and environmental performance.
• Sizing/Fit: A leader in inclusivity, offering sizes from XXS to 3X in regular, tall, and petite inseams. The fit is designed for comfort and function across a diverse range of body types, with consistent and reliable sizing.
• Shopping experience: An omnichannel retailer with a robust e-commerce site and physical stores across the country. In-store services like complimentary styling sessions and fit experts offer a more personalized shopping experience.

Athleta is the go-to choice for women who prioritize sustainability, inclusive sizing, and high-quality, versatile pieces that can be worn for years.

Shop Athleta: athleta.com

Gymshark vs. Athleta Comparison

Price Comparison

There is a clear difference in price between the two brands. Gymshark is significantly more affordable, with leggings starting around $50 and sports bras around $35. Its frequent sales make it even more accessible for shoppers on a budget.

Athleta operates in a premium price tier. Its popular Salutation Stash leggings are around $80 to $100 depending on the type you are buying, reflecting the brand's investment in higher-quality, sustainable materials and ethical production. While more expensive upfront, many customers find the durability provides better long-term value. For those prioritizing a lower initial cost, Gymshark is the clear winner.

Quality & Materials

Both brands produce quality activewear, but their focus differs. Gymshark prioritizes performance-oriented synthetic blends that offer excellent stretch, compression, and sweat-wicking capabilities for intense workouts. The feel is often sleek and compressive.

Athleta focuses heavily on durability and sustainability. The fabrics, like their Powervita material, are exceptionally soft yet resilient and built to withstand repeated washing and wearing without losing shape. Their use of recycled and organic materials is a core part of their identity, giving them the edge for consumers who prioritize long-lasting construction and eco-conscious sourcing.

Style & Aesthetic

Gymshark's aesthetic is undeniably trendy, youthful, and gym-centric. With collections featuring bold colors, seamless technology, and contouring details, their styles are designed to be seen and to accentuate the body. It’s fashion-forward fitness gear made for performance.

Athleta offers a more understated, classic, and versatile style. Their pieces often feature minimalist designs in neutral or muted colors that transition seamlessly from the studio to the street. The look is polished and functional, appealing to women who want activewear that blends into their everyday wardrobe.

Fit & Sizing

This is one of the biggest differentiators. Gymshark offers a standard size range, and its clothing is known for a very snug, body-hugging fit. While many find it true to size, those who prefer a less compressive feel or are between sizes often size up.

Athleta leads the industry in size inclusivity. Offering an extensive range from XXS to 3X, as well as petite and tall lengths, they cater to a much broader spectrum of body types. Their focus is on a comfortable, reliable fit that empowers all women to be active, making Athleta the superior choice for anyone who struggles to find their size with standard brands.

Shopping Experience

Gymshark is almost exclusively an online brand. The shopping experience is fast-paced, with hyped-up product launches that often sell out quickly. Their robust online presence and responsive digital customer service cater to a digitally native customer base.

Athleta provides an omnichannel experience. You can shop on their user-friendly website or visit one of their many physical stores to try on items, get fitting advice, and feel the materials in person. This approach offers more flexibility and support for shoppers who value a hands-on experience before buying.

Sustainability & Ethics

While Gymshark is taking steps to improve its sustainability, it is not a central pillar of its brand identity today. The focus remains primarily on trend and performance.

Athleta is a champion of sustainability and ethical production. As a certified B Corp, the company is legally required to balance profit and purpose. They extensively use recycled materials, focus on water-saving manufacturing techniques, and are transparent about their commitment to fair labor. For the eco-conscious consumer, Athleta is the undisputed industry leader.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right choice really depends on what kind of shopper you are. Both retailers are excellent at what they do, but their specialties are distinct.

Choose Gymshark if:

• Your priority is trendy, affordable activewear that keeps up with the latest styles.
• You want a body-contouring, compressive fit that highlights your physique during lifts.
• Your workouts are primarily gym-based and high-intensity.
• You enjoy the excitement of online product drops and influencer-driven fashion.

Choose Athleta if:

• Sustainability, ethical manufacturing, and recycled materials are important to you.
• You need an inclusive size range that goes beyond standard S-M-L options.
• You want versatile, long-lasting pieces that work for both fitness and daily activities.
• You prefer a softer, less compressive feel and appreciate timeless, classic designs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Gymshark or Athleta cheaper?

Gymshark is significantly cheaper. Most of its products retail for between $30 and $70, while Athleta's items typically range from $40 to $120.

Which brand has better quality?

Athleta is generally considered to have higher-quality, more durable materials designed for long-term wear and frequent washing. While Gymshark offers good performance quality for its price point, Athleta invests more in premium, sustainable fabrics.

Does Gymshark or Athleta have more sizing options?

Athleta has far more sizing options. It offers an inclusive range from XXS to 3X, including petite and tall options, whereas Gymshark offers a more traditional and limited size range.

Which brand is better for lifting vs. running?

Gymshark is extremely popular in the weightlifting community for its supportive and compressive fits. Athleta is excellent for a broader range of activities, including running, yoga, and hiking, with designs tailored for the specific needs of each.

Is Athleta more sustainable than Gymshark?

Yes, by a large margin. Athleta is a certified B Corporation and places sustainability at the core of its business, extensively using recycled materials and promoting ethical manufacturing. Gymshark is just beginning to build out its sustainability initiatives.

Do Gymshark clothes run small?

Gymshark's clothing is designed to be form-fitting and compressive. While many people find it true to size, some shoppers, particularly those between sizes, choose to size up for a more comfortable fit.

Can I try on Athleta clothes in a store?

Yes. Athleta has numerous physical retail stores where you can try on clothes, get sizing advice, and process returns. Gymshark operates almost entirely online.

Which brand is trendier?

Gymshark focuses on current fitness fashion trends, with new styles, colors, and cuts dropping frequently. Athleta's aesthetic is more classic and timeless, designed for longevity over fleeting trends.