Gymshark Flex Leggings vs Fabletics PowerHold High-Waist Legging

The mid-range gym legging market is crowded, but Gymshark and Fabletics have both earned genuine followings among women who train regularly and want quality without paying Lululemon prices. At $55 and $54 respectively, the Gymshark Flex and Fabletics PowerHold are almost perfectly matched on price — making the comparison almost entirely about what you actually get for the money.

Build Quality and Squat-Proof Performance

Gymshark built its reputation on leggings that hold up under serious training conditions. The Flex Leggings are 79% nylon and 21% elastane — a construction designed for stretch and recovery without going sheer. The bend-over test, the squat test, the lunge test: the Gymshark Flex passes all of them reliably. The fabric opacity has been a consistent strength across multiple generations of the product, and it’s one of the few mid-range leggings you can confidently take to a heavy leg day without worrying about what’s visible in the mirror.

Fabletics’ PowerHold fabric is a polyester-elastane compression blend with a firm, held-in feel. It performs well in classes and moderate training, but at maximum stretch — the deep squat position specifically — some colorways show minor sheerness in a way that the Gymshark Flex does not. This is not universal across the entire Fabletics range, but it is a reported inconsistency worth noting, particularly in lighter colors.

Advantage: Gymshark Flex, clearly, on squat-proof reliability.

Fit, Silhouette, and Waistband

Gymshark’s contoured seaming on the Flex Leggings is one of the product’s most distinctive design choices. The seam placement is engineered to follow the natural curves of the seat and thighs, creating a sculpted, flattering silhouette that goes beyond what a plain-cut legging achieves. Buyers consistently praise the rear fit as a standout feature. The wide high-rise waistband is firm and well-anchored — no folding, no rolling, secure throughout a full workout.

The Fabletics PowerHold has a more straightforward construction with a high-rise compression waistband that does its job competently. The fit is solid, and the compression hold feels strong on first wear. The seaming is simpler — more utilitarian compared to Gymshark’s aesthetic-forward approach. Where Fabletics genuinely wins is color and print variety: with hundreds of options across the PowerHold range, it is dramatically easier to find exactly the look you want.

Advantage: Gymshark on fit and construction quality; Fabletics on color selection.

Value and the Fabletics Membership Question

At $54 to $55, both leggings are similarly priced at their standard retail rates — and the Gymshark Flex represents straightforward, good value at that price point. No membership required, no subscription to manage, no credits to track.

Fabletics operates on a VIP membership model that reduces the PowerHold to $24-$35 per pair when credits are used. For buyers who are already enrolled and happy with the membership, this is a genuinely compelling deal — Fabletics PowerHold leggings at $30 are excellent value. The catch is that the membership requires active management to avoid monthly charges for unused credits, and many buyers find the system more trouble than it’s worth. If you’re comparing leggings at face value, the prices are essentially equal. If you’re already a Fabletics member, the PowerHold becomes a much stronger value proposition.

Advantage: Gymshark for simplicity; Fabletics for value if you’re managing membership well.

The Verdict

Gymshark Flex wins overall, primarily on construction quality and squat-proof reliability. For women who train hard and want a legging that holds its shape, stays opaque, and flatters the silhouette, the Gymshark Flex is the better product at the same price.

Buy the Gymshark Flex when:

• Squat-proof opacity during heavy lifting is non-negotiable
• You want a sculpting, flattering fit with contoured seaming
• You prefer a straightforward purchase without membership complexity
• You’re building a gym rotation around quality over variety

Buy the Fabletics PowerHold when:

• You are already a Fabletics VIP member and want to maximize that value
• Color and print variety matter to you — Fabletics has no equal at this price
• You want a wide US size range up to 4X with consistent availability
• You’re comfortable managing the membership model and buying in volume