Gymshark vs. Under Armour: Which brand is better? [2026]

Gymshark is a trend-driven activewear brand known for its stylish, figure-flattering designs and influencer-led marketing, appealing to a younger, social media-savvy audience. In contrast, Under Armour is a long-standing performance brand focused on technical innovation, creating durable, high-function gear designed for serious athletes. The primary difference lies in Gymshark's emphasis on fashion and community versus Under Armour's dedication to performance fabric technology and athletic function.

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

Gymshark: The Trend-Setter of Fit-Fashion

Gymshark is a British fitness apparel brand that has exploded in popularity thanks to its savvy social media presence and community-focused marketing. It caters to gym-goers who want their activewear to be both functional and fashionable, offering modern designs, vibrant colors, and body-sculpting fits. The brand’s target consumer is typically younger and highly engaged with fitness culture on platforms like Instagram and TikTok.

• Product mix: Specializes in gym apparel including seamless leggings, sports bras, crop tops, shorts, and hoodies. While focused on lifting and gym training, its apparel is widely used for general fitness activities.
• Price point: Sits in the mid-range market, with popular leggings priced between $50-$65 and sports bras around $40-$50. Most items fall within a $30 to $80 range, making it more accessible than many performance-focused brands.
• Quality: Known for soft, comfortable, and stretchy fabrics that move well during workouts. While durable enough for frequent gym use, the emphasis is more on aesthetic and comfort than on advanced technical performance seen in legacy brands.
• Sizing/Fit: Famous for its figure-enhancing and often compressive fits. Sizing is generally true to size, but styles are designed to be snug and body-hugging.
• Sales: Holds major, highly-anticipated sale events a few times a year, such as the Gymshark Black Friday sale, offering deep discounts that drive significant traffic and sales.
• Return policy: Offers free returns, making it easy to try on different sizes and styles in the comfort of your home.

Gymshark has mastered creating affordable, stylish activewear that makes people feel confident working out, building a loyal community around its flattering designs.

Shop Gymshark: gymshark.com

Under Armour: The Authority in Athletic Performance

Founded in 1996, Under Armour built its reputation on engineering innovative performance apparel that helps athletes perform better. It started with a moisture-wicking compression T-shirt and grew into a global powerhouse offering gear for almost every sport and climate. Under Armour targets serious athletes and fitness devotees who demand durability, function, and cutting-edge fabric technology from their activewear.

• Product mix: Extensive product lineup including compression gear, running shoes, training apparel, and sports-specific equipment. Features distinct product lines for various conditions, like HeatGear for hot weather and ColdGear for the cold.
• Price point: Positioned as a premium brand, with apparel generally ranging from $40 to $150. Technical outerwear and advanced footwear can be more expensive, reflecting the investment in technology.
• Quality & Technology: This is Under Armour's main strength. Its proprietary fabrics, such as UA Storm (water-repellent) and RUSH (infrared technology), are designed to enhance performance. The gear is built for durability and longevity under intense use.
• Sizing/Fit: Tends to be true to size with an athletic cut that prioritizes range of motion and performance over a fashion-forward silhouette.
• Sales: Offers sales through its website and outlet stores, but major brand-wide sales events are less frequent than online-first competitors.
• Return policy: Provides a flexible return policy, with the added benefit of being able to return purchases to their physical retail locations.

Under Armour provides high-performance, technologically advanced gear that is built to last through the most demanding workouts and conditions, making it a reliable choice for dedicated athletes.

Shop Under Armour: underarmour.com

Gymshark vs. Under Armour Comparison

Price Comparison

Gymshark is the more budget-friendly option. A complete workout outfit - leggings and a sports bra - from Gymshark will typically cost between $90 and $115. An equivalent outfit from Under Armour would likely be in the $110 to $150 range, especially if choosing pieces with their advanced fabric technologies.

Gymshark also holds highly predictable and popular sales multiple times a year, where products are often discounted by 30-70%. Under Armour offers discounts but doesn't have the same reputation for massive, site-wide events, making Gymshark the clear winner for shoppers focused on price and regular deals.

Quality & Materials

This is where the brands fundamentally differ. Under Armour's reputation is built on material innovation. Technologies like HeatGear to keep you cool and dry or ColdGear to keep you warm are cornerstones of their products. This gear is engineered for durability and peak performance during high-intensity sports and in challenging weather conditions.

Gymshark's materials prioritize comfort, stretch, and aesthetics. Their seamless technology is known for creating a soft, non-chafing, and extremely flattering fit. While their quality is solid for general weightlifting and fitness activities, it doesn't offer the same level of technical performance or rugged durability as Under Armour.

Style & Aesthetic

Aesthetic is a key separator between the two. Gymshark is trendy, youthful, and fashion-forward. Its designs feature vibrant colorways, contoured lines, and minimalist branding to create an aesthetic that looks as good on a social media feed as it does in the weight room. It is a defining brand in the “athleisure” movement.

Under Armour has a more classic, athletic, and functional style. Designs are often more conservative, with logos prominently displayed. The focus is on function over form, appealing to athletes who care more about what their gear can do than how viral it might go.

Fit & Sizing

Both brands generally run true to size, but the intended fit is different. Gymshark is famous for its compressive, body-hugging fit that accentuates and shapes the physique. Many customers size up for a less restrictive feel, especially in their seamless collections.

Under Armour designs its clothing for an athletic build with more room for movement. The fit is functional and less compressive unless you're buying their specific compression gear. It serves a broader range of body types and doesn't emphasize the same "sculpted" look as Gymshark.

Sustainability & Ethics

Both brands are taking steps toward better sustainability, but Under Armour's efforts are more mature and transparent. With a longer history, Under Armour has established clearer materials traceability and sustainability goals, detailed in public reports. They are members of the Fair Labor Association, indicating a commitment to ethical manufacturing.

Gymshark is newer to these initiatives and is actively working on improving its environmental footprint, such as using recycled materials and reducing packaging. However, its reporting and overall program are less established than Under Armour's.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right brand really depends on what you value most in your activewear and what your fitness routine looks like.

Choose Gymshark if:

• You're motivated by fashionable activewear and love trendy colors and styles.
• Your workouts are primarily gym-based, such as weightlifting, bodybuilding, or studio classes.
• You want a body-hugging, figure-flattering fit that helps you feel confident.
• You are budget-conscious and like to capitalize on major sales events.

Choose Under Armour if:

• Performance, durability, and fabric technology are your top priorities.
• You train for a specific sport, run outdoors in varied weather, or engage in high-intensity interval training.
• You prefer a classic athletic aesthetic and are loyal to performance-driven brands.
• You're willing to invest more for gear that is engineered to last and support athletic performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Gymshark or Under Armour cheaper?

Gymshark is consistently cheaper than Under Armour. Its direct-to-consumer model and frequent, large-scale sales make it the more budget-friendly option for high volumes of stylish activewear.

Which brand has better quality?

"Better" depends on your needs. For technical durability and performance-enhancing features, Under Armour has superior quality. For trendy style, comfort, and a flattering fit for gym workouts, many users prefer the feel and look of Gymshark.

Is Gymshark true to size?

Yes, Gymshark generally runs true to size, but it is designed for a very snug, compressive fit. If you are between sizes or prefer a less constricting feel, you might consider sizing up.

Is Under Armour true to size?

Yes, Under Armour apparel and footwear are known for fitting true to size. Its clothes are built with an "athletic cut," meaning they are designed to accommodate movement without being overly tight or restrictive.

What is Gymshark famous for?

Gymshark is famous for its viral seamless leggings, influencer marketing strategy, and building a strong sense of community among its young, fitness-focused customers.

What is Under Armour famous for?

Under Armour is famous for inventing the performance apparel category with its moisture-wicking compression shirt. It's now celebrated for its technical fabrics like HeatGear and its strong ties to professional athletes and sports teams.

Which is better for running?

Under Armour is better for running. Its focus on moisture-wicking fabrics, temperature regulation, and running-specific gear (including a robust footwear line) makes it the superior choice for runners.

Which is better for weightlifting?

This is a toss-up, depending on preference. Gymshark is incredibly popular in the weightlifting community for its flexible, flattering, and non-restrictive designs. Under Armour also offers excellent stability and compression gear that many lifters rely on for support.