The Global Gym market by 2031 is expected to reach $379.64 billion. In fact, in the last few years, many sportswear brands have seen a rise in popularity. Nike, Adidas, and many other classic brands are at the top of the list when it comes to sportswear. Yet, online brands, such as Aybl or Oner Active, seem to be gaining popularity as well on social media. The question that then arises is: Are these newer brands more fashionable or functional?
Because many people are realizing how important it is to live a healthy lifestyle, sports are taking a crucial role across the globe. Consequently, the popularity of sportswear has increased in the last few years. Sports are also becoming more and more aestheticized on different platforms. Clothes are often intertwined into the whole “gym aesthetic.” Gym-wear, running, or pilates clothes are among the most common types of sportswear.
@faty.fit This peace over everything. Iโm telling you. #gymtok #fitness #motivation #workout #gymgirl #gymgirl #girlwholifts โฌ SAILOR MOON Miller – MillerKZN
Overview Of Classic Sportswear Brands
Sports have always been present in society since its early times. Yet, the specific sports clothes we wear nowadays trace back to the 1970s in particular. Since the mid-70s, for example, “The tracksuit became very popular,” as it “was worn by Bruce Lee,” according to Qasli. This demonstrates how celebrities constantly led the way in fashion. Another item that became popularized in the 1970s was yoga pants. In fact, in that decade, more and more women started doing yoga. Along with the discipline, clothes tailored to it started becoming trendy.
In those same years, Adidas created the Stan Smithโ the iconic shoe design. Sportswear was then not only created for the sake of doing sports but also to look fashionable. Until the 1990s, sports clothes tended to be more functional than anything else, “prioritizing functionality over style.” Nike, Reebok, and Adidas used specific fabrics like polyester that possess an efficient sweat absorption, which creates comfortable clothes.
According to Blueยฎ, the early 2000s witnessed a shift in sportswear that transformed into a true “fashion statement.” The intersection of fashion and functionality grew to be crucial in our society.
Throughout those decades, iconic items such as the Nike Air Jordanโnamed after basketball player Michael Jordanโbecame popular and are still trendy today. This shows once again how sports players or celebrities play a fundamental role in the sportswear industry.
Iconic And Everlasting Brands
In the last few years, sportswear has earned a big portion of profit in the global market. The biggest companies are the Li-Ning Group and Columbia Sportswear Company, followed by Nike, Anta Sports, and many other firms. Considering sportswear companies that earn the most, Nike is at the top with $150.24 billion. Then, there is Lululemon Athletica, Inc., Adidas AG, Puma SE, Columbia Sportswear Company, and Under Armour, Inc., according to Market.us.
All these companies earn their place because they deliver what most people look for in terms of sportswear: functionality along with fashion. To look and feel good in clothes that not only enhance the sporting activity but can also be worn outside of an athletic context is what most buyers search for.
The Rise Of New Brands
Since the early 2010s, thousands of new brands have emerged. Choosing which one to buy from can be a hard decision. Whether you’re looking for comfort, good quality, or other specific items, the internet can be the start of your search. When searching for the best sportswear brands, many different articles may appear.
One of the ways I find useful to choose the right sportswear brands is knowing what to look for. It might seem easy, but it isn’t always that clear. Here are some brands who have recently grown in popularity that I recommend checking out.
Gymshark
One of the most popular brands on social media is Gymshark. With over 7 million followers on Instagram and over 5 million followers on TikTok, the British company has increased in popularity since its establishment in 2012. Gymshark began as an online shop, but it has since transformed into physical shops across the world, making it the brand that we now know and love today.
By using specific marketing strategies, this new sportswear brand has attracted more and more buyers. Gymshark is active across different social media platforms, the same ones that also enabled its popularity and endorsed it to become the multimillionaire company it is now. The brand often posts about gym-wear, following TikTok or Instagram trends. An example can be found below.
@gymshark life advice. #gym #meme #Gymshark @nickvenuti_fit โฌ if it's real, then i'll stay (slowed + reverb) – bonjr
What encourages people to buy Gymshark clothes is also witnessing the items worn by their favourite influencers. @dianaconforti.fit, @lilylifts, @jessejameswest, and @james_beardwellโjust to mention a fewโshare their daily life while wearing the brand, inspiring their followers to buy the items they wear.
Oner Active
Founded by entrepreneur Krissy Cela, Oner Active is “the only major female-focused strength training apparel brand created by women, for women.” Transparency is a keyword associated with the company because they are open about their sustainability goals. By using “organic cotton and recycled fabrics,” the brand offers not only comfort but also fashion and sustainability.
Alo Yoga
With brand new fabrics such as Alosoft (87% polyester and 13% elastane), Alo Yoga distinguishes itself from any other yoga-focused brand because of their particular attention to fabrics. Compared to other companies, Alo Yoga is more expensive, with sports bras ranging from upwards of $50. Even if the costs are higher than other brands, the quality of the products makes it worth the price.
At the same time, the brand is fashionable by marketing in a simple and classy way. The color palette is mainly white, black, and grey with occasional bright colors. What separates Alo Yoga from every other company is their specific, simplistic designs.
@alo and the girls that can do EMS & pilatesโฆ theyโll live forever โจ
โฌ original sound – Morgan Psych NP
Women’s Best
When it comes to newer brands such as Women’s Best, I always tend to read reviews about the products before buying anything. In this way, I am more aware of what to look forward to and about the quality of the items they sell.
TikTok and Instagram, in particular, are a good place to read reviews about the brands. As the TikTok below shows, Women’s Best leggings are “the best leggings ever,” according to some buyers. Even if it is sometimes subjective, by highlighting how satisfaction is crucial to them, the brand puts their clients first.
@debbiemillyard Replying to @Rachel McAllister thereโs so much stretch on these leggings which makes them perfect for everyone! ๐ฅนโจโ๏ธ #gymwear #gymwearforwomen #gymleggings #gymoutfits #affordablegymwear #gymoutfitideas #gymoutfitinspo โฌ original sound – DEBS
According to the brand, their “vision is to inspire & empower women around the globe to become the best version of themselves.”
DFYNE
The motto of the brand is “DFYNE your journey.” By owning a memorable brand name, the company focuses on how being a part of people’s fitness journeys is fundamental. With 4.8 stars on Trustpilot, DFYNE is considered an excellent brand because of their focus on customer service.
“Free to DFYNE ourselves. Let no body DFYNE us,” the brand affirms. By touching topics that are at the heart of every fitness experience, the brand reaches a wider audience. The TikTok below is an example of inspirational content that attracts many viewers to not only buy their products but also to improve physically.
@dfyne.official make your mark with SIGNATUREโ๏ธ SIGNATURE is NOW LIVE athlete- @elinneagrahn #DFYNE โฌ original sound – DFYNE
AYBL
Both for women and men, Aybl is a brand that is all over social media at the moment. The company has reached a wide audience by selling colorful items that are also comfortable and supportive.
The brand “strives for community, empowerment, and enjoyment.” The co-founder of Aybl, Reiss Edgerton, has also pronounced, “We are not a brand that focuses just on selling. We are building a true community amongst our customers.”
@aybl The goal๐ซถ @GladysPhillip #AYBL #GymTok #GymCouple #GrowTogether โฌ original sound – ๐ฅ๐ผ๐ ๐ถ ๐๐๐ฑ๐ถ๐ผ๐
Are Sportswear Brands More Fashionable Or Functional?
On the whole, most sportswear brands nowadays focus on the fusion of fashion and practicality, working hand-in-hand with what customers want. According to SportCasuals, what buyers look for in sportswear is “fashion, innovation, and sustainability.”
In the end, different physical activities look for different items. For example, kickboxing needs more support, especially for women. On the other hand, pilates is more about comfort within each movement, so low-support, light items can be more fitting.
Ultimately, the research behind which sportswear brands to buy from is rather subjective. Whether you are looking for excellent pilates shorts of good quality or joggers to go to gym, these different brands have got you covered. In fact, they also include varied physical activities. In the end, there is something out there for everyone.
