16-05-2025
I wore Gymshark's new sculpting range to 3 gym classes to see how it held up
Gymshark has launched its brand new Vital Sculpt range, which promises to be stretchier, more comfortable and more flattering than ever before, so I put it to the test
Nothing steps up your workout motivation quite like a new gym outfit, especially when it's one that promises to make you look and feel more comfortable and confident than ever before. So when Gymshark launched the new Vital Sculpt collection, which promises improved stretch and snap back, shaping textures, smoothing waistbands and glute-sculpting design, I was all in to give it a try.
The Vital Sculpt range isn't new, per se, as it's been around since 2017. But the new launch features its best sellers that have been reimagined with new fabrics and shaping elements that promise to lift, sculpt, snatch and support your body during just about any type of workout.
With the Vital Sculpt range promising to be a staple no matter what type of workout you prefer, I decided to put it to the test through three different gym classes and workouts to see how it really fared. I also tried several pieces from the collection to make sure it wasn't a one hit wonder.
The pieces I tested:
Vital Seamless Sports Bra – £32
Vital Sculpt Seamless All in One – £55
Vital Sculpt Seamless Short – £38
Workout one – HIIT
Pieces worn – Vital Sculpt Seamless Legging
One of the staple pieces in the range is the sculpting seamless leggings, so I decided to put them to the hardest test of all; a HIIT class. With leaping, lunging and lots of sweating involved, it felt like a good place to see how well the leggings held up (literally) and whether I felt comfortable enough to go through all the movements in them.
First up, these are super stretchy and have quite a bit of compression, which is wonderful for smoothing and supporting your figure, and the waistband is ultra high, which gives lots of coverage. It's a wide band which means less digging in, and they worked well with the constant movements; there was next to no slipping down or rolling over of the waistband – two of my biggest pet peeves with gym leggings.
The waistband has a lot of snapback, and whilst it's fab for smoothing it can feel a little tight after a while, especially if you carry more weight around your tummy. I would have also loved these to have pockets. Sweaty Betty's Power UltraSculpt High-Waisted 7/8 Gym Leggings are pricier at £88, but feature a similar sculpting design and have two side slip pockets.
However the seamless design meant there was no chafing of rubbing whilst moving, and they held up really well – just don't go into a very deep squat, as the fabric does become a bit sheer around your bum. All in all, I felt great wearing them and they did their job exactly as they should.
Workout two – weights
The sports bra is a low-impact style, which meant wearing it for anything cardio related was out, so I tested it through a weight lifting workout, along with the shorts. First things first, the bra.
It was a great snug fit, and I loved the adjustable slider straps which weren't just on the shoulders, but on the back too. This gave you much more range of sizing, and let me adjust it to get just the right fit to feel secure without being too snug.
This is definitely not a bra for jumping around in; the support was minimal at best, and although I have quite a small chest (I'm a B cup) there was still some movement and jiggle even just lifting weights. However, it's the perfect thing for days when you don't need the support but want the comfort and stretch of a sports bra.
The shorts were a godsend during the heatwave, and I was a big fan of the extra length that they have. So many workout shorts are tiny and barely come down your thigh, but these were the perfect length that avoided chafing and gave more coverage.
Compression wise, these were brilliant – they sculpted and smoothed and felt supportive without being too tight or restrictive, and the material felt lightweight and not too thick. This does come with the caveat, though, that you can't wear them for super deep squats as they end up a little see through.
Although I didn't find they were obviously transparent (there was no knicker visibility) they did stretch thin, and the bum scrunch sits at a slightly awkward place; it's a little too high and doesn't quite give the desired effect. However they were so comfortable and stretchy this doesn't bother me – I can just throw a baggy T-shirt over the top when I want a little more coverage.
Workout three – pilates
Pieces worn – Vital Sculpt Seamless All in One
I will preface this by saying that a skin tight all in one is absolutely not in my comfort zone. As someone with curves I tend to prefer mixing tight pieces with more oversized ones to get a good balance, so this was one I was less excited about.
However, I will admit when I'm wrong, because I actually felt fantastic in this. The compression was just right that it pulled in and smoothed areas I'd usually be keen to cover, and it was so stretchy and comfortable that I didn't think twice about what I looked like.
With no tight waistband digging in or cropped vests to pull down, I could focus completely on what I was doing, and considering how many twists, bends and upside down moments you have during a pilates class, this held up against them all. It's worth noting there's little to no chest support, so you'll need a sports bra underneath, and again I would have loved if it had a pocket or two. However considering me an all-in-one convert, because I'll be wearing this to plenty of other workouts in the future.
You can shop the complete Gymshark Vital Sculpt range here, which comes in a range of colours and sizes. You can also check out Tala's Sculpt Seamless range, which features similar styles in different colourways.
