This Best Gymshark Leggings comparison is NOT sponsored and was written based on my honest opinion as a busy mom working on her fitness!
I love a great pair of leggings and something tells me that you do too.
This guide to Gymshark leggings features:
- Our top picks for Gymshark leggings (based on height and body type – short, curvy, etc.)
- How Gymshark ranks against Lululemon
- Best leggings by activity (strength, HIIT, etc.)
- Do Gymshark leggings run small
- How to easily do a Gymshark return
Disclosure: Affiliate links are used throughout this post. You can read our full disclosure here.
Best Gymshark Leggings by Body Type: Don’t Waste Your Money!
After researching and reviewing a TON of Gymshark reviews, I decided to give the Training and Vital Seamless leggings a shot.
While the Training leggings were frequently described as affordable Lululemons, the Vital Seamless kept coming up as the most flattering.
Do I agree with both of these statements?
Nope.
Absolutely not!
I’ll show you what both leggings looked like on in this post.
Which Gymshark leggings are the best?
If you’ve been searching Gymshark for a while now, you probably keep seeing same two styles with rave reviews – Adapt and Vital.
But are they really that great?
How do I choose Gymshark leggings?
We think that this comes down to personal preference plus your:
- height
- preferred length
I don’t like the look or feel of bunched fabric past my ankles so 25″ length pants just don’t work for me.
I’m 5″6 and tend to go for cropped-length pants – I usually wear a 21″ to 23″ length in Lululemon leggings so Gymshark’s 7/8 leggings are absolutely perfect for my style.
My sister, Kat, is 5″9 and usually goes for a 25″ to 28″ length though.
Full-length styles really suit her long and lean shape!
I love Gymshark’s Training 7/8 Leggings.
Kat is a fan of the Adapt Ombre Seamless Leggings.
Gymshark Training Leggings Review
If Lululemon Aligns and Adidas Believe This Tights had a baby, it would be Gymshark Training leggings!
These lightweight leggings are a perfect hybrid of my favorite styles from both of these brands – seriously, what a dream come true.
I love them for Peloton spin classes – including HIIT workouts – and strength training.
Compared to my Lulu Wunder Unders, I’ve also found that I don’t need to adjust them as frequently when I exercise.
And if you have a big behind like I do, rest assured that the waistband doesn’t leave a gap.
These are form-fitting, affordable, and extremely comfortable to wear.
Honestly, I’d probably even wear them to do a grocery shop – something I can’t say for my Gymshark Energy leggings.
I’m wearing a size medium.
Related: Lululemon Align Leggings Review: Are They Really Worth the Money?
Gymshark Energy Seamless Leggings Review
Looking for ultra-compressive leggings?
Stop here!
Gymshark’s Energy leggings hold it all in better than any legging I’ve ever tried.
They’re super tight and shape everything you’d want a legging to – bum, thighs, waist!
And I definitely have to say that I think that compression aids in performance.
I absolutely LOVE these leggings for Peloton HIIT workouts!
The eyelet detailing is also really attractive and makes these leggings pop – even in black.
Postpartum mom?
At my height, I found that the Energy leggings hug my waist exactly where I need them to so I don’t get a weird push at the bottom like I do with the Vital Seamless style.
That said, I would NEVER wear these in public.
But not because they don’t look good on – they really do look sharp!
The idea of being in pants this compressive for more than an hour or so just doesn’t work for me.
I like being held in during workouts but don’t like that type of compression when I’m running errands or visiting family and friends.
Gymshark Vital Seamless Leggings Review
These leggings just aren’t for me!
I don’t like the length.
I don’t like the material.
I don’t like the style!
I’ve noticed that most influencers post side shots of them wearing these and I can see why…
Did you play with Barbies as a kid?
Then you might feel like a Ken-doll wearing these!
Here’s how they look on in size medium.
I REALLY don’t like the way they bunch up at my ankles.
The logo on the back leg is cute and despite my overall feelings towards this style, I found the high waistline really flattering.
Unless you have glutes that are out of this world and you’re above 5″9, I do NOT recommend Vital Seamless leggings.
I decided to return them faster than I got them on, haha.
Gymshark Vital vs Adapt Leggings
Compared to the Vital Seamless leggings, Gymshark Adapt leggings are softer and less compressive.
Think Lululemon Wunder Under leggings vs Aligns!
Here’s how the full-length Adapt leggings look on when you’re 5″9 like Kat.
She’s wearing a size medium.
Follow Kat on Instagram for fitness, fashion, and beauty inspiration!
Is Gymshark better than Lululemon?
In my opinion, Gymshark makes better sports bras than Lululemon does!
My Vital Seamless Sports Bra and Energy Seamless Sports Bra are two of the most comfortable bras I’ve ever owned and they were VERY reasonably priced.
This leads me to something else Gymshark does better than Lululemon – SALES!
I made my first Gymshark purchase during their Cyber Monday sale and was blown away by the selection of items they had discounted including brand new releases!
Now that said, if you wear a size Small (Lululemon Size 4) or Medium (6 in Lululemon), you might find inventory super limited during sales – I know I did.
Even before Black Friday, I was stalking Gymshark’s website to see if I could snag any cute vibrant colored leggings in my size but they sell out REALLY fast.
If this happens to you, sign up for size restock notifications and don’t wait too long to purchase the item you’re after.
And if it doesn’t end up working out for you, Gymshark’s returns policy and process is SUPER easy!
More Lululemon Comparisons:
- The Complete Lululemon Energy Bra Guide (Reviewing + Comparing 4 Styles)
- Athleta vs Lululemon: Leggings, Bras, Selection, and Sizing Reviewed
- Lululemon Wunder Under vs Align: Which Should You Choose?
How to do a Gymshark Return
Unless your item clearly states that it is FINAL SALE, you can easily do Gymshark returns online.
Gymshark uses Happy Returns and all you’re required to do is enter these details in the system:
- Order Number/ID
- Zip/Postal Code
Once you select the items you want to send back, you’ll get a shipping label to stick on your package, and off you go!
Just use the package you received your items in and wrap it up with a good amount of masking tape.
I returned two items from my first purchase doing exactly that.
As soon as my package was scanned into the UPS system, I got my refund!
It’s as easy as buying and returning on Amazon.
Are Gymshark returns free?
Yes – Gymshark offers free returns in the following countries:
- United States
- Canada
- United Kingdom
- Ireland
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Denmark
- Sweden
- Finland
- Norway
- Germany
- Austria
- Switzerland
- France
- Belgium
- Netherlands
Which Gymshark leggings are most flattering?
Personally, I found the Training leggings super flattering!
I love how they shape the right areas with a high waist and light compression especially in the hips and thighs – it’s exactly what you need to feel sculpted without discomfort.
And most importantly, they don’t compress my upper waist like the Vital Seamless leggings do.
Because if you’re postpartum like I am with the historic remains of a mummy-tummy, that compression will push out your lower waist.
For someone who’s never been pregnant before, this is probably not going to be an issue though.
Should I size up or down for Gymshark?
Definitely size up!
Gymshark is your typical European brand and fits small.
If you’re not sure or are in between sizes, go up – you can easily return your leggings if they don’t fit quite right.
Do Gymshark leggings hold you in?
Heck yes!
Although I hated the way the Vital Seamless leggings you on me, neither they or I were going anywhere.
Do Gymshark leggings have a lot of compression?
Every style of Gymshark legging I’ve tried – Vital Seamless, Energy, and Training – has been compressive and super shapely.
Are Gymshark leggings squat proof?
Once again, every style of Gymshark legging I’ve tried has been squat proof.
That said, I’ve also exclusively purchased dark colors!
I’ll come back to this one once they release some fun new prints and styles for Spring and Summer.
Best Gymshark Leggings by Body Type: Final Thoughts
At 5″6 with a curvy figure and a preference for 7/8 leggings, my must-have Gymshark leggings are the Training leggings!
My 5″9 sister, Kat, loves her Adapt leggings in Ombre shades.
So, which Gymshark leggings will you try?
Want us to compare other styles? Let us know which ones in the comments below.
Happy training, friend!
