Gymshark and APRÍ both make gym clothes for men and women. The similarities mostly end there. They're built on different fabric philosophies, aimed at different training profiles, and positioned at different price points. Here's a straight comparison.
The fundamental difference
Gymshark is built on synthetic performance fabrics — primarily polyester and nylon blends engineered for maximum stretch, muscle compression, and fast moisture evacuation. APRÍ is built on lyocell — a natural fibre from wood pulp — for its training tops and cotton range, with polyamide used in performance bottoms.
Gymshark optimises for gym performance metrics. APRÍ optimises for comfort over longer wear, natural fibre performance, and anti-odour durability. These are different priorities, and the right choice depends on what you actually want from your training gear.
Fabrics
| APRÍ | Gymshark | |
|---|---|---|
| Core training fabric | TENCEL™ Lyocell (natural, wood-pulp derived) | Polyester/nylon blends (synthetic) |
| Performance bottoms | Polyamide/elastane | Polyester/elastane, nylon/elastane |
| Microplastic shedding | No for lyocell range | Yes — polyester/nylon shed microplastics |
| Drying speed | Moderate (lyocell absorbs moisture) | Fast (synthetics repel to surface) |
| Natural fibres | Yes — lyocell and cotton range | No — fully synthetic across the range |
Gymshark's seamless knit construction — used in their Engineered Seamless, Vital, and Sport collections — is genuinely good for gym performance. The seamless construction reduces chafe, the compression aids muscle support, and the synthetic fabrics dry quickly between sets. These are real advantages for high-intensity gym training.
The downside is persistent: polyester and nylon retain odour over time. The bacteria that cause smell embed in synthetic fibre structures and survive regular washing. Most people who train in Gymshark regularly know the experience of a top that smells even straight out of the wash.
Why gym clothes still smell after washing
Anti-odour technology
Gymshark does not use specialised anti-odour technology across its core range. Some pieces include anti-odour treatments, but the brand does not publish verified wash-durability figures for these.
APRÍ uses APRÍshield™ (NordShield) in all lyocell and cotton products — 99.9% anti-odour effectiveness after 30 washes, based on wood extractives, free from silver and PFAS. APRÍtech™ (HeiQ Mint) in polyamide products — 94%+ after 20 washes at 30°C, plant-derived. Both are OEKO-TEX certified and built into every garment in the range.
In practical terms: APRÍ garments stay genuinely fresh through a full season of regular training. The anti-odour treatment doesn't wash out.
Sustainability
Gymshark has made some recycled material commitments, but the brand's core identity is performance and aesthetics — sustainability is not a primary differentiator, and the brand doesn't lead on environmental credentials.
APRÍ is built around the sustainability case from the ground up: natural fibres, plant-based anti-odour treatments free from heavy metals, OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification across the range, and manufacturing in Portugal.
Price
Gymshark sits at the mid-to-premium end of the market — notably more affordable than APRÍ for comparable garment types. The lower price point reflects the use of synthetic fabrics (polyester costs less than TENCEL™ Lyocell) and production at scale.
APRÍ is premium. The cost reflects the fabric, the technology, and Portuguese manufacturing. If price is the primary consideration, Gymshark wins. On cost-per-wear over a garment's lifespan — accounting for fabric durability and anti-odour technology longevity — the gap narrows.
Who each brand suits
Choose APRÍ if: You train 3–5 times a week and care about what your clothes are made of. You've had the experience of gym clothes that smell regardless of washing. You want anti-odour technology you can verify will still work after 30 washes. You want natural fabric performance and less environmental impact from your training wardrobe.
Choose Gymshark if: You want the best compression and muscle-support fabrics for heavy gym training. Fast moisture evacuation during high-intensity sessions is your priority. You're on a tighter budget. You don't mind replacing gym clothes when the anti-odour treatment wears off.
They're genuinely different products aimed at different needs. The choice isn't which is "better" overall — it's which better fits how you train and what you want from your activewear.
