Gymshark vs. Alphalete vs. NVGTN vs. Lululemon: Who Wins the Activewear Brand Showdown?
- Working out should just be about feeling good, but who says you can’t look good doing it? If you’ve been thinking about revamping your wardrobe for the gym, you can check out Gymshark, Alphalete, NVGTN and Lululemon brands. Their leggings, joggers and shorts are highest quality yoga and athleisure outfits on the market, and are the must-have items for everyone who likes to exercise or do yoga. But which brand is the best? Is Alphalete better then Gymshark? Is Gymshark cheaper than Lululemon? Are Alphalete leggings worth it? Are NVGTN leggings good? If you also have these questions, read on please. In this guide, I will compare these four brands from history, price, design and quality to see which one wins the activewear brand showdown!
Gymshark vs. Alphalete vs. NVGTN vs. Lululemon Overview
>Gymshark
What is Gymshark?
Gymshark was founded in 2012 by schoolyard chums Ben Francis and Lewis Morgan in the United Kingdom. Though initially only supplying bodybuilding supplements, in 2013 they began designing and producing a range of sports apparel, and by 2016, The Sunday Times had named them the UK’s Fastest Growing Company for that year.
With an assortment of clothing for women and men, accessories, and equipment, Gymshark is a company with everything you need for a good sweat sesh.
The apparel they market most frequently includes hoodies, t-shirts, workout vests and leggings, and despite an initial focus on the male target audience, two thirds of their sales are now attributed to women.
Gymshark Activewear Review
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Where to Buy Gymshark?
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Who should buy Gymshark Activewear?
The products would be great for anyone who enjoys working out, or really just enjoys the look of athleisure. Not only are the clothes effective for your exercises, but they are stylish too.
>Alphalete
What is Alphalete?
Starting out in 2012 with just a YouTube channel, Alphalete has evolved quite a bit over the years into a clothing company that manufactures clothing and gear for the workout community.
They offer clothing that’s perfect for the gym and all-day wear that delivers an unwavering comfort for long-term use.
Although they have many different categories to look through, they still offer a relatively niche product selection, yet you won’t have any trouble finding a colorway you like. You can also find many different accessories, and they keep a decent variety in their catalog that offers something for every season.
Alphalete Activewear Review
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Where to Buy Alphalete?
alphaleteathletics.com: up to 5% cashback
walmart.com: up to 5% cashback
poshmark.com: no cashback
Who should buy Alphalete Activewear?
Alphalete Athletics is a fitness and lifestyle clothing line that caters to younger people by creating hip designs at a reasonable price with free shipping on qualifying orders.
>NVGTN
What is NVGTN?
NVGTN is a fitness and lifestyle clothing brand based in the United States with customers around the world residing in over 170 countries.
Originally out of an apartment, NVGTN was founded in 2018 by Ashleigh and Brett Schneggenburger. NVGTN currently has 53,000 square feet of corporate/warehousing space and is one of the fastest growing clothing brands in the United States.
NVGTN was created to produce affordable, trendy and form-flattering athletic wear, according to the release. Utilizing social media to market new collections, the company created a global customer base in over 170 countries.
NVGTN Activewear Review
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Where to Buy NVGTN?
nvgtn.com: no cashback
curtsyapp.com: no cashback
ebay.com: up to 4.6% cashback
Who should buy NVGTN Activewear?
NVGTN leggings are a more stretchy, soft, vibrant pair that would be loved by all, versus Gymshark is softer toned colors, more compression with thicker material. And you can wear NVGTN bras for soccer, pickleball, and weightlifting at the gym. Very comfortable and supportive in all the right ways.
>Lululemon
What is Lululemon?
lululemon athletica inc. is a Canadian multinational athletic apparel retailer headquartered in British Columbia and incorporated in Delaware, United States. It was founded in 1998 as a retailer of yoga pants and other yoga wear, and has expanded to also sell athletic wear, lifestyle apparel, accessories, and personal care products.
Lululemon sells athletic wear including tops, yoga pants – a product that the company invented, shorts, sweaters, jackets and undergarments, as well as hair accessories, bags, yoga mats, water bottles, and personal care products such as deodorant and dry shampoo. Lululemon trademarked its original fabric, Luon, which included a higher-than-average amount of nylon microfiber, in 2005. Since then, the company has produced several different types of fabrics, including compression and moisture-wicking designs.
Lululemon is primarily known for their leggings, which first made the brand popular. As of January 2022, there are over 500 Lululemon stores around the world, many of which include a yoga studio, fitness concierge and/or communal spaces.
Lululemon Activewear Review
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Where to Buy Lululemon?
lululemon.com: no cashback or lululemon.co.nz: up to 10% cashback
farfetch.com: up to 4% cashback
walmart.com: up to 4% cashback
Who should buy Lululemon Activewear?
Lululemon Activewear are great for high-impact workouts and elite athletes – most shoppers state their leggings have lasted 5+ years, even with regular wear.
Gymshark vs. Alphalete vs. NVGTN vs. Lululemon Comparison Side by Side
1.Design & Style
Gymshark
You have an almighty selection to choose from, men and women alike, from leggings and track pants to hoodies, jackets, swimwear and sports bras – if you can wear it doing exercise, then Gymshark sell it.
For those who like to look good and feel good, all of their matching sets and single pieces are available in hundreds of colors, from bold and bright to pretty pale pastels, with something to suit even the most stylish of gym-goers.
They have six main collections: Adapt, Energy, Essentials, Flex, Seamless and Vital, with some proferring more high-end, designer style items and others, like Essentials and Vital, aiming to target the basic gym wear that most of us look for.
Alphalete
A majority of their clothing is broken down into tops and bottoms, but you’ll also find a few specialized categories for niche collections, best sellers, and more.
You’ll also find a small amount of casual wear designed to accentuate the figure you’ve been working so hard on over time. Women and men have a decent spectrum to work with, whether it’s flattering dresses or base layers for guys that are perfect for everyday wear.
NVGTN
NVGTN leggings are almost all fun colors, so if you favor black leggings there aren’t too many options for you.
However, if you’re a fan of the bright colored leggings nvgtn has the cutest stuff! They have bright colors, butt contouring, quad contouring, the whole deal.
Lululemon
Lululemon has designed products with the goal to advance a movement, stand out from the competition and help brands build consumer loyalty. Lululemon specializes in laser-focused performance wear. The brand's high-quality yoga pants became a cult item. Many women found them so comfortable that they wore the pants out of the yoga studio and into everyday life.
Each product has an express purpose: Some leggings are designed specifically for running while others are designed specifically for yoga, for example. The product description of each item tells you what it's made for and how that specific product will improve your performance at that activity. This niched-down emphasis is likely what drives the brand's popularity. The bright colors, flattering fits and durable fabrics help, too.
2.Materials
Gymshark
GymShark clothes are mainly made of combing polyester and nylon, which is a synthetic blend. It is breathable, moisture-wicking, stretchy, resistant to odor, mold and mildew, and extremely durable.
In 2017, they introduced their signature DRY technology, which wicks moisture of the skin surface and redirects it onto the surface of the garment. This prevents the garment from getting soaked and weighed down, and keeps your skin from getting chaffed during HIIT or other vigorous activities.
Alphalete
While most athletic wear is made from fabrics like nylon, Lycra, and Spandex, Amplify leggings consist of a knit made mostly from polyamide and polyester, which are big-league names in the athleisure world. Polyester is a strong, lightweight, moisture-wicking fabric that’s mildew-resistant. Not to mention it repels dirt and stains.
Polyamide, on the other hand, is even more durable, less prone to pilling, and more breathable than polyester. Both are shrink-resistant to top it off. Put the two miracle fabrics together and you get an incredible pair of leggings that feel like heaven.
NVGTN
The almost NVGTN activewear feature contour shading on the thighs and glutes designed to enhance the beauty of your natural curves.
Made with the same buttery soft blend of materials, these activewear hug you in all the right places while providing total leg freedom.
Lululemon
Lululemon is constantly creating new materials. Today’s lineup includes fabric blends like Everlux, Nulux, Luon, and Luxtreme.Each variety offers a specific percentage of nylon, elastane, and spandex.
Depending on your typical workouts and how your body performs during stress, each textile provides a unique list of assets catered to your needs: such as anti-chafing properties and cooling technology. It’s worth noting that they do offer a more fashionable range of fabrics, such as Lululemon’s New York Splatter Reflective collection.
3.Quality
Gymshark
The majority of the Gymshark offerings are elastane, nylon, and polyester. Nylon is the primary material of the three due to its softness. Gymshark focuses on providing its customers with a comfortable experience when working out. Polyester is known for its sweat-wicking properties, which help you feel dry even after an intense workout. However, this also comes with an odor problem since the material will absorb the sweat. Elastane provides the stretchiness of the apparel.
With the three, you get the good material for stretching, running, and any other workouts you might be engaged in. They are comfortable to wear and easy to put on.
Alphalete
The reviews on Alphalete’s clothing quality share a common theme over the past few years: many feel their quality was great three to four years ago, but that hasn’t been the case within the last year or two.
Right now, quality control seems to be hit or miss, and the brand may be taking the fast fashion route.
NVGTN
NVGTN's Texture is nearly grade A, very soft, like butter;About a 4 out of 10 on the thickness scale and elasticity is very stretchy, tons of breathing room, but not see-through
Camel toe can be very evident because of thin fabric and the lack of seams
Lululemon
Lululemon's clothing is crafted to empower people to be comfortable while moving their bodies in yoga and while doing fitness training.
The company looked at research data in fitness apparel and found out that buyers expect two things from their gym gear and outfits: Performance - outfits that hold up during strenuous exercises. Comfort and Style - apparel that feels and looks great.
4.Sizing
GymShark
GymShark offers inclusive sizing that ranges from XS to XL.
For women, there are sizes XS to XL for 24-inch to 32-inch waists. Men sizes include size small to XXL, with waist size 31 inches to 39 inches.
Unfortunately, these sizes are not very inclusive, but the brand strives to offer a larger variety in the
Alphalete
Alphalet offers a decent size range across most of their products. No matter which category you look through, the most available sizes range from extra small to XXXL. And you should be safe to follow your usual sizing information.
Overall, it’s a pretty standard sizing range, so they don’t really serve very niche body types.
NVGTN
NVGTN also offers inclusive sizing that ranges from XS to XL.
more information of NVGTN Activewear can clik here.
Lululemon
Lululemon offers different size chart across most of their products.
Bras:Match your bra band (28-42) or clothing size (XXS–XL) with a numeric bra size range (2–14).
Swim Tops, Swimsuits & Onesies/Underwear:XXS - XXL
Skirts/Tops/Pants/Shorts:XXXS-XL
Fit Guidelines:Luon fabric is designed to have a matte finish, so if there's an underlying sheen that reflects the light, the fit's too snug. To see what the sheen looks like, stretch the Luon fabric width-wise with your hands.
5.Price
Gymshark
Gymshark’s Apex seamless high rise leggings come in five colors, sizes from XS to XXL and will cost you $65. These leggings are known for their durable wear for high intensity workouts. They have a high waistband to keep from slipping while you are doing your squats, and muscle contouring lines that are both stylish and show off your lean and muscular physique.
The top 7 Gymshark leggings in no particular order, are:
Cameo Seamless Leggings – Overall Best Gymshark Leggings
Vital Seamless Leggings – Best Gymshark Squat Proof and Compression Leggings
Flawless Knit Tights – Best Gymshark Leggings for Working Out and Running
Gymshark Flex Leggings – Best Gymshark Leggings for Booty and Squatting
Gymshark Fit Leggings – Best Gymshark Leggings for HIIT and Plus-Size
Energy + Seamless Leggings – Best Gymshark Leggings for Petite and Cardio
Gymshark Dreamy 2.0 Leggings – Best Gymshark Leggings for Lifting
Alphalete
A pair of Alphalete Amplify leggings cost about $72. This seamless scrunch leggings comes in 11 colors, and in sizes ranging from XXS to XXL. They have a silky, smooth feel made of seamless, knit fabric. The fit is really good, with a high-waisted fit, a tapered waistband, no front seam, and a back scrunch.
The top 4 Alphalete Workout Clothes in no particular order, are:
Alphalete Surface Limitless Bra - Best Workout Top for Women
Alphalete Surface Power Legging 27”- Best Workout Bottom for Women
Alphalete Classic Crew - Best Workout Top for Men
Alphalete Infinity Speed Short 5.5”- Best Workout Bottom for Men
NVGTN
These statement making seamless leggings are perfect for everything from a hard workout to a girls' lunch. But, for the love of navigation,they are quite pricey; A a pair at $48 + tax and shipping when shopping online for cute workout clothes.
Lululemon
Gymshark’s Apex seamless high rise leggings come in five colors, sizes from XS to XXL and will cost you $65. These leggings are known for their durable wear for high intensity workouts. They have a high waistband to keep from slipping while you are doing your squats, and muscle contouring lines that are both stylish and show off your lean and muscular physique.
The top 7 Lululemon leggings in no particular order, are:
6.Return Policy
Gymshark
You have up to 90 days of receiving your order to return it. As long as your product is unworn and unwashed with all the tags, you can return it. While swim and underwear can be returned if the hygiene strip is still on, face masks cannot be returned.
There are no exchanges, but you should get your full refund. The company also covers the return fee for some countries, like the US.
Alphalete
Alphalete provides shoppers with a pretty standard 30-day return policy, but many have found it difficult to initiate a return. Customer service is known to be a challenge from time to time, and any items discounted by 30% or more aren’t eligible for returns.
They also don’t offer to cover return shipping costs, which can be enough for some people to think it’s not worth the trouble.
NVGTN
All returns must be postmarked within 45 days of your order being shipped and clothing tags must still be intact.
For returns, the cost of the return label will be deducted from your final refund amount as NVGTN do not cover return shipping costs. For exchanges, the cost of the return label is covered, as well as shipping costs on the new item, as NVGTN offer completely free exchanges!
Lululemon
Offers a 30-day free return and exchange policy.
Returns are free and can be done in person or by mail. Keep in mind, gift cards, face masks, and gear from Lululemon Made Too Much section are final sale and cannot be returned or exchanged. Note that shoes must be in the box and accompanied by proof of purchase.
Conclusion: Which is Best Activewear Brand?
As we’ve now discussed, both Gymshark, Alphalete, NVGTN and Lululemon certainly have something to offer an avid athlete, regardless of gender, but which one is best overall?
Gymshark
When it comes to weightlifting, training, and running, Gymshark is a key Lululemon competitor for high performance technical gear. While they do have a few yogawear offerings, Gymshark is mostly marketed toward gym rats who want hip functional gear that sweats with them. They are far more affordable than Lululemon, but less chic and more down-to-earth fitnessy.
Alphalete
Gap-owned Athleta stores can often be found in the same shopping centers as Lululemon. They cater to an exclusively female customer base and are all about empowering women and girls.
Their matching “mom and me” sets and girls lines make them stand out from Lulu, as well as their deeper commitment to sustainable manufacturing and fiber sourcing. They are also the most size-inclusive and often have sales and discounts.
NVGTN
NVGTN was created to produce affordable, trendy and form-flattering athletic wear.
NVGTN launches new lines every two to three months and during new product launches they can have an influx of over 50,000 orders.
Lululemon
Valued at over $58 billion, Lululemon is one of the most successful yoga and athleisure brands on the market today. They are also in the higher price range of luxury athletic gear.
Lululemon says “quality is the heart of who we are”. And honestly, it shows. Because they stand behind their workmanship so intently, their Quality Promise guarantees that your gear will provide a practical, long-lasting performance. If not, they’ll take it back. As long as the gear was purchased new, you can get a full refund.
Overall, we have had great experiences with the quality of both brands and they both offer a wide selection, but Lululemon is our top pick as far as quality goes. S
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