Is AYBL Owned by Gymshark?

If you’ve noticed similarities between AYBL and Gymshark — from branding to activewear styles — you’re not imagining things.
As someone working in the yoga and sportswear manufacturing field, I’ve researched both companies closely to clear up the confusion about whether AYBL is owned by Gymshark or just inspired by it.

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Quick Answer

No — AYBL is not owned by Gymshark.
AYBL is an independent British brand, founded in 2018 by brothers Reiss and Kris Edgerton in Bromsgrove, England.
While Reiss Edgerton had early ties with Gymshark, the two brands are separate companies with their own operations and leadership.


How the Gymshark Connection Started

Before launching AYBL, Reiss Edgerton was briefly involved with Gymshark’s early development.

Reiss Edgerton

He was part of the UK’s growing fitness scene during Gymshark’s rise and learned firsthand how social media and community-driven marketing could build a brand.

That experience inspired him to create AYBL — a women-focused version of Gymshark’s formula, emphasizing affordable, minimalist, and body-positive activewear.


AYBL’s True Ownership

AYBL is privately owned and operated by the Edgerton brothersReiss (CEO) and Kris (COO) — through their own holding company.
There’s no ownership link or investment relationship with Gymshark.

Brand Ownership Founded Headquarters
AYBL Reiss & Kris Edgerton (Private) 2018 Bromsgrove, UK
Gymshark Ben Francis (Founder & CEO) 2012 Solihull, UK

Both brands share similar British roots and community-based marketing, but their teams, operations, and product lines are entirely independent.


AYBL vs Gymshark: Key Differences

Category AYBL Gymshark
Focus Women’s activewear Unisex gymwear
Style Minimalist, lifestyle-focused Performance-driven
Price Range £30–£60 £40–£80
Target Audience Women 18–35 Men & women 18–30
Distribution Online DTC (global) Online + retail flagship stores
Brand Message Empowerment through confidence Progress through performance

While both share similar fitness aesthetics, AYBL leans more toward fashion-athleisure, while Gymshark remains performance-centric.


Why People Confuse AYBL and Gymshark

There are several understandable reasons:

  1. Shared founder connections — Reiss Edgerton’s early Gymshark involvement.
  2. Similar brand tone — clean visuals, motivational branding, influencer marketing.
  3. British origin — both companies emerged from the UK’s Midlands region.
  4. Overlapping audience — both target young, fitness-minded consumers globally.

Despite this overlap, AYBL has carved out its own identity by focusing on women’s wear, comfort-first design, and sustainable expansion.


Lessons for New Activewear Brands

AYBL’s story shows how independent founders can compete in a space dominated by global brands — without corporate ownership.

Key takeaways for new yoga or fitness brands:

  • Niche down early. AYBL focused purely on women’s athleisure, not all gymwear.
  • Control your supply chain. Working with trusted OEM factories ensures consistency.
  • Leverage influencer partnerships. Real creators drive long-term trust.
  • Keep it affordable yet premium. Price-to-quality balance wins repeat buyers.

AYBL

If you’re planning to launch your own brand, partnering with FuKi Yoga can help you achieve that same balance of style, quality, and scalability.


FAQs

Q1: Is AYBL part of Gymshark?
No. AYBL is an independent brand with no corporate or financial connection to Gymshark.

Q2: Did a Gymshark founder create AYBL?
No. Ben Francis founded Gymshark, while Reiss and Kris Edgerton founded AYBL.

Q3: Are AYBL and Gymshark competitors?
Yes — both compete in the global fitness apparel market, particularly in women’s activewear.

Q4: Does AYBL use the same factory as Gymshark?
Not officially confirmed, but both work with Asian and European OEM manufacturers, similar to most modern athletic brands.


How FuKi Yoga Helps You Build an Independent Brand Like AYBL

At FuKi Yoga, we help new and growing yoga and activewear labels scale like AYBL — without relying on big investors or mass producers.

Our services include:

  • OEM & ODM manufacturing for yoga, gym, and athleisure lines
  • Custom fabric development (brushed, ribbed, or seamless textures)
  • Private label branding with hang tags, packaging, and logos
  • Low MOQ production to support startups
  • Eco-friendly fabrics for sustainable brand positioning

We’ve helped brands across the US, UK, and EU launch collections that balance fashion appeal with performance function — the same formula that made AYBL a global success story.


Fuki yoga wear author

👋 Hi, I’m Owen Yang, the founder of FuKi Yoga.
With years of experience in custom activewear manufacturing, I’m passionate about helping brands create functional, stylish yoga apparel that inspires daily movement. Let’s build something exceptional together.

Free samples are only offered to verified brands and established businesses. Please include your brand name and website for review.