Is Gymshark Ethical? A Closer Look at Sustainability and Impact

With millions of Gymshark shoppers worldwide, you’re not the only one with the question: is Gymshark ethical?

In today’s world, ethical clothing brands have become increasingly important due to the rise of conscious consumerism and the growing focus on corporate responsibility.

The scrutiny placed on brands extends beyond mere products to encompass their ethical and sustainable practices.

Within this landscape, Gymshark, a renowned fitness apparel brand, has emerged as a prominent player.

From labor practices to environmental impact, Gymshark’s approach to these issues has significant implications.

It can affect its reputation, customer loyalty, and role in shaping the future of sustainable athletic wear, whether it’s sports bras, leggings, or biking shorts.

So, is Gymshark an ethical brand? Read on to find out.

Gymshark: Overview

Gymshark, a British fitness apparel brand founded in 2012, has gained global fame thanks to savvy social media marketing.

With 6.3 million Instagram followers and 14 online stores in 230 countries, it’s a leader in active lifestyle fashion.

In 2016, it was named the UK’s fastest-growing company. Valued at $1.45 billion in 2021, 70% of shares belong to founder Ben Francis.

Gymshark’s product range includes leggings, joggers, swimwear, and accessories like bags and bottles.

Its blend of quality and affordability has made it a favorite among fitness enthusiasts.

But is Gymshark ethical from a social perspective?

Is Gymshark an Ethical Brand?

In evaluating the question if Gymshark is ethical, the focus should center on its social and environmental impact. Key considerations include fair labor practices and environmentally conscious material sourcing. Is Gymshark an ethical brand based on these factors?

Labor Treatment

Is Gymshark an ethical brand in terms of its labor treatment?

Gymshark’s commitment to fair trade offers a testament to its ethical practices.

The athletic wear company joined the Fair Labor Association in 2019, a significant step towards ensuring fair wages and ethical practices.

Its partnership with Better Work underscores its dedication to enhancing working conditions and respecting labor rights.

Gymshark’s involvement in the International Accord for Health and Safety in the Textile and Garment industry in Bangladesh highlights its commitment to protecting workers involved in its clothes manufacturing.

Gymshark’s transparency is commendable. It has a factory list published on its website, providing ethical accountability.

In addition, the brand has also taken a bold step by releasing its Modern Slavery statement. The document highlights multiple aspects, including supply chain information, organization structure, and policies concerning slavery and human trafficking.

Production Conditions

Gymshark spans its manufacturing across several countries like the UK, US, China, Hong Kong, Bangladesh, Turkey, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, and more.

While it emphasizes ethical standards, there’s limited concrete evidence of its implementation.

While the fashion company boasts a comprehensive list of all factories and suppliers, it primarily touches on issues and an outcome. For instance, in its Asia Factory Visit report, Gymshark mentions,

“We arranged another visit to the factory and were able to fix critical safety and employment issues identified. Given the concerns raised by the Gymshark visiting team, we are not able and not willing to place further business.”

The reports display a step towards resolving issues, such as building higher safety standards and regulating outsourced products. The athletic wear company highlighted its values to potential facilities and if they weren’t met, then Gymshark refused to onboard them.

In turn, its ethical standing shows promise in building a more transparent business model.

Sustainability of Materials

Is Gymshark ethically made and environmentally friendly? While taking some steps toward sustainability, Gymshark has a journey ahead to become a fully sustainable brand.

One of the many steps Gymshark has taken to produce eco-friendly products is making them all vegan.

Additionally, it partnered with the Better Cotton Initiative, providing proof that it sources its cotton from a sustainable source.

That said, Gymshark’s membership in the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) is also noteworthy.

Nonetheless, being part of this coalition doesn’t instantly translate to overall sustainability. Surprisingly, the SAC includes non-sustainable giants like Amazon and Primark.

Besides that, Gymshark still uses synthetic and nylon non-biodegradable materials in multiple products, like sports bras and leggings.

It has yet to incorporate recycled materials into its supply chain. Despite that, the brand mentions multiple sustainability goals it wishes to pursue.

Gymshark’s Sustainability Goals: Reducing Emissions

Is Gymshark ethically made and actively working to reduce its carbon footprint?

Gymshark is actively pursuing sustainability goals. Subsequently, it’s dedicated to setting Science Based Targets.

Its aim to offset retrospective Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by FY22 showcases its efforts to address past impact.

The athletic wear company’s participation in WRAP’s Textiles 2030 initiative reflects a collaborative approach within the industry. 

Its strategy of localizing distribution networks through new centers aims to reduce its carbon footprint. Gymshark is opening direct supply currents in the U.S. and Australia to limit flying products from Europe.

Gymshark’s Sustainability Goals: Reducing Waste

Is Gymshark ethical and sustainable? Gymshark is resolutely embarking on sustainability goals while still providing its wide range of products, from sports bras to cycling shorts.

It pledged to cut the water footprint of new products by 30% and reduce the carbon footprint by 50% by 2030 (from a 2019 baseline). In turn, the brand is addressing crucial environmental concerns across manufacturing and distribution.

Its aim to use 100% Recycled Polyester by 2025 speaks to its drive for recycled materials and sustainable fabrics.

FAQs

What does it mean for an athletic wear brand to practice ethical manufacturing?

Ethical manufacturing involves ensuring fair labor conditions, fair living wages, and safe working environments for all workers involved in the production process.

It also encompasses responsible sourcing of materials and minimizing environmental impact.

How do athletic wear brands promote sustainable practices in their products?

Sustainable athletic wear brands focus on using eco-friendly materials like organic cotton, recycled polyester, and other renewable resources.

They also aim to reduce carbon emissions in production and distribution, and often set targets for water and energy conservation.

Final Thoughts: Is Gymshark Ethically Made?

Gymshark is the leading name in fitness apparel, but with its popularity comes a question – is Gymshark an ethical brand?

Gymshark is on the right path to becoming a fully ethical company. Actions like adding a factory list to its website and investigating its facilities pose a positive ethical outlook for the brand.

It demonstrates a commitment to fair trade and wages. In addition, it operates on a transparent business model.

In terms of its sustainability goals, Gymshark highlights multiple goals. In the future, it’ll work on reducing waste and incorporating more recycled material in its production line.

If you enjoyed reading, please make sure to check out our other posts, including the complete guide to eco-friendly shoes, womenswear, and menswear.

So, is Gymshark ethical? Overall, Gymshark’s promise as an ethical brand earns our recommendation. It earns a solid 7/10 in its ethical standard.