Brand comparison

GYMSHARK VS ECHT — WHICH IS BETTER FOR AUSTRALIANS?

6 min read · Updated June 2026 · No brand deals

Two of the most popular gymwear brands among Australian gym-goers. Similar price points, very different buying experiences. Here's how they actually compare.

In this comparison

Quick overview Fabric & build quality Price comparison Shipping & returns Sizing & fit Product range Verdict — which should you buy?

Quick overview

Gymshark

Founded2012, UK

Ships fromUK

Shipping to AU10–20 days standard

ReturnsPaid (you pay)

Price range$45–$100

Sale frequency3–4x per year

Retail stores AUNone

ECHT
Founded2014, Melbourne
Ships fromAustralia
Shipping to AU2–5 days standard
ReturnsFree returns
Price range$55–$130
Sale frequency1–2x per year
Retail stores AUNone

Fabric & build quality

Both brands use premium nylon-elastane blends. At full retail price, ECHT edges ahead — their Define and Interval lines use a slightly thicker, more structured fabric that holds its shape better after extended use and repeated washing.

Gymshark's seamless lines (Vital Seamless, Energy Seamless) are genuinely excellent for their price point. The seamless construction reduces weak points and the fabric recovery after washing is strong. Their cut-and-sew lines are more inconsistent.

Fabric thickness

Gymshark

7.5

ECHT

9.0

Shape retention

Gymshark

7.0

ECHT

8.5

Colour fastness

Gymshark

7.2

ECHT

8.8

Stitching quality

Gymshark

7.5

ECHT

8.5

Price comparison

Item Gymshark ECHT Winner

Training shorts $65–$75 $70–$85 Gymshark

Leggings / tights $75–$95 $90–$120 Gymshark

Training tee $45–$60 $55–$70 Gymshark

Hoodie $80–$100 $90–$120 Gymshark

On-sale pricing –25–40% –15–25% Gymshark

Gymshark is cheaper at full retail and discounts more aggressively on sale. If price is the primary factor, Gymshark wins. But the lower price reflects the higher friction of buying from an international brand — slower shipping, paid returns, sizing guesswork.

Shipping & returns

Gymshark

✗

Ships from UK. Standard delivery is free over $80 but takes 10–20 business days. Express ($15–20 AUD) takes 5–10 days.

✗

You pay for returns. Size exchanges cost $15–25 AUD in return postage. Given sizing runs small, budget for this.

90 day return window. Reasonable timeframe but items must be unworn with tags. Sale items are final sale.

ECHT

✓

Ships from Australia. Standard delivery 2–5 business days. Free standard shipping over $100.

✓

Free returns. ECHT covers return postage for exchanges and refunds. Makes sizing much less stressful.

✓

30 day return window. Shorter than Gymshark but the free returns make it significantly less painful to use.

Sizing & fit

Gymshark: Runs small, particularly in tops and shorts. Size up at least once. Inconsistent across product lines — the size guide helps but isn't fully reliable. Without a physical store, you're guessing until you've ordered a few times.

ECHT: More consistent sizing across their range. Still runs slightly slim (they target a fitted aesthetic) but the free returns make it low-risk to order your usual size and exchange if needed.

Practical tip: If you're new to both brands, ECHT's free returns make it the lower-risk first purchase. With Gymshark, read the specific product reviews for sizing notes before ordering.

Product range

Gymshark has the broader range — men's, women's, accessories, bags, and a wider colour selection. If you want variety or are kitting out a full wardrobe, Gymshark has more options.

ECHT has a more focused range with fewer SKUs but more consistent quality across them. Their men's range is particularly strong. Women's range is narrower than Gymshark's.

Verdict — which should you buy?

Buy Gymshark if:

✓ You're buying during a major sale (40% off changes the value equation significantly)

✓ You already know your Gymshark size

✓ You want a wider colour or style selection

✓ You're buying women's activewear (broader range)

Buy ECHT if:

✓ You want the better buying experience overall

✓ Fast Australian shipping matters to you

✓ You don't want to risk paid returns on sizing

✓ You're buying at full retail price

For most Australians buying at full retail, ECHT is the better choice — faster shipping, free returns, and slightly better quality. Gymshark earns the buy during their big sales when the price gap widens enough to offset the international shipping friction.