Yes, Gymshark is a fast fashion brand. Its business model is built on rapid production cycles, frequent new releases of trendy activewear, and competitive pricing, all of which are defining characteristics of fast fashion.
While Gymshark actively promotes a community-focused and responsible image, its ethical practices suffer from a lack of supply chain transparency and no evidence of paying living wages. Similarly, its sustainability efforts are underdeveloped, relying heavily on virgin synthetic materials with no significant circularity programs or concrete environmental targets in place. Here's what you need to know about Gymshark's practices:
Gymshark's operations clearly align with the fast fashion model, prioritizing rapid turnover and trend responsiveness over longevity and sustainability.
Gymshark's ethical commitments are vague and lack the transparency needed to verify them, placing its practices in a questionable light.
Gymshark manufactures its products in countries like China and Bangladesh, where garment workers are at high risk of exploitation. Reports from these regions indicate that factory workers often earn between $80-$150 per month, which is far below the estimated living wage of $250-$350 needed to cover basic necessities. Gymshark has not provided any evidence that it ensures a living wage is paid to the workers making its clothes.
The brand lacks significant supply chain transparency. It does not publish a comprehensive list of its suppliers or the results of factory audits. Without this information, it is impossible for consumers or watchdog groups to verify that workers are treated fairly and operate in safe conditions. Claims of responsible sourcing are difficult to substantiate without third-party certifications like Fair Trade.
On a more positive note, Gymshark is free of animal products. The brand primarily uses synthetic materials like polyester, nylon, and elastane, and does not use leather, wool, fur, or down. There are no reports of the brand conducting animal testing.
Gymshark’s sustainability efforts are minimal and overshadowed by its fast fashion business model, which promotes overconsumption of plastic-based activewear.
The vast majority of Gymshark's clothing is made from virgin, fossil fuel-based synthetic materials like polyester and nylon. While the brand mentions using some sustainable materials, it provides no specific data or percentages. It is estimated that less than 10% of its fabrics are from recycled or organic sources, and it lacks key certifications like GOTS or Bluesign for its materials.
Gymshark has not published any data on its carbon footprint, water usage, or chemical management. The production of synthetic fabrics is energy-intensive and contributes to microplastic pollution every time a garment is washed. Without clear targets for emissions reduction or transparent reporting, its environmental impact remains a significant concern.
The brand has no official take-back, repair, or recycling programs to manage its products at the end of their life. Its business model encourages disposal rather than circularity. Combined with the use of materials not designed for longevity, this contributes directly to textile waste.
Gymshark’s business model is fundamentally at odds with sustainability, and its lack of transparency prevents any serious ethical validation. Positive marketing and influencer collaborations cannot make up for the core issues in its supply chain.
Gymshark receives a D for ethical practices. This grade reflects a severe lack of transparency regarding its supply chain and the absence of any public evidence that it ensures living wages for its garment workers. While the brand's use of animal-free materials is positive, its failure to disclose meaningful information about its factories leaves its ethical commitments unverified and questionable.
Gymshark earns a D for sustainability. The brand's heavy reliance on virgin synthetic materials, lack of concrete reduction targets for its environmental footprint, and absence of any circularity programs demonstrate a minimal commitment to the planet. Its fast-fashion model of frequent drops actively encourages overconsumption, undermining any minor sustainability claims.
If you're looking for activewear from brands with a genuine commitment to people and the planet, here are some better alternatives:
Girlfriend Collective creates its stylish activewear from recycled materials like post-consumer water bottles and fishing nets. The B Corp is SA8000 and Fair Trade certified, guaranteeing that its factory workers are paid fair wages and work in safe conditions.
Shop now at girlfriend.com
Beyond its famous shoes, Allbirds offers performance apparel made from renewable, natural materials like merino wool and eucalyptus tree fiber. As a certified B Corp, it prioritizes carbon neutrality and transparently reports on its sustainability goals and progress.
Shop now at allbirds.com
A leader in sustainability, Patagonia's performance wear is built for durability using a high percentage of recycled materials. The brand is Fair Trade Certified, a B Corp, and donates 1% of sales to environmental causes, all while advocating for anti-consumerism.
Shop now at patagonia.com
Specializing in ultra-soft staples made from organic Egyptian cotton, Kotn offers perfect basics for lighter workouts and everyday wear. As a certified B Corp, it ensures fair labor practices by working directly with family-run farms in Egypt and transparently tracing its entire supply chain.
Shop now at kotn.com
Tentree makes comfortable activewear and loungewear using sustainable materials like Tencel, organic cotton, and recycled polyester. This certified B Corp and Climate Neutral company plants ten trees for every item purchased, making your purchase a direct contribution to reforestation.
Shop now at tentree.com
There is no direct proof that Gymshark uses sweatshops. However, the brand manufactures in countries with a high risk of labor abuses and does not provide enough transparency about its factories to disprove these concerns, which is a major red flag for ethical shoppers.
Gymshark pioneered the influencer marketing model in the fitness space, building a massive community by sponsoring athletes and creators. These partnerships are primarily business transactions focused on brand visibility and sales and do not typically involve an independent ethical audit of the company's practices.
Gymshark's product quality is designed for trendy aesthetics rather than long-term durability. While functional for workouts, the synthetic fabrics and rapid update cycles align with the fast fashion principle that clothing isn't meant to last for years, encouraging more frequent replacement.
