You’ve finally got your hands on an Onyx drop. You pull on the T-shirt, and your first thought is probably one of two things.
“This looks unreal.”
Or:
“Hang on…is this supposed to be this tight?”
The first thought is much more preferential, but if you find yourself asking the second, just know that you’re not alone. Every Onyx launch sparks the same conversations online as everyone tries to understand how to get their Onyx order right the first time around.
Unlike a standard training tee or oversized pump cover popular with many lifters, Onyx is designed with tightness in mind. A purposefully close-to-the-body, compressive fit designed to highlight your physique while you stay locked in to training.
And that fit might feel very different from other Gymshark collections the first time you wear it.
If you’ve bought Onyx before, chances are that you know the collection well, including that it’s meant to fit snugly. But just how snug? And where exactly?
In this guide, we’ll explain how Onyx should fit, what compression fit clothing is meant to feel like, and how to choose the right size for your body and training style, so that the next time a limited Gymshark Onyx collection drops… you can buy with confidence.
What Is Gymshark Onyx?
Few Gymshark collections have reached cult status quite like Onyx.
Originally launched in 2016, Onyx quickly became one of Gymshark's most recognisable lifting collections thanks to its close-to-body fit, premium construction and physique-enhancing silhouette. Nearly a decade later, the collection returns for its sixth iteration, and this time around, we’re bringing back the OG Onyx and introducing womenswear to the line.
The reason it's become so sought after isn't just because of the limited drops.
It's because Onyx feels unlike anything else.
Where many training collections prioritise relaxed comfort, Onyx is unapologetically built for lifters who enjoy a fitted look. The muscle-fit silhouette sits close to your body from the chest down, creating a streamlined shape that moves with you through every rep.
We spoke to Bryan Bullard, Head of Design here at Gymshark, and an expert on the Onyx collection, to get all the insights on the next drop, the replica of the original Onyx. He explains:
"The OG fit is the same as the original. It's the exact same fabric, with the shark-scale pattern knitted into the product."
That commitment to staying true to the original is one of the reasons long-time fans have been waiting years for its return
What Defines Onyx?
It’s designed for serious lifters who are driven by aesthetics and appeals to those who want that sculpting fit that gives them a locked-in feel during training. Bryan explains what it is exactly that helps make Onyx different…
“Firstly, it’s the compression-fit silhouette,” he says.
“It’s designed to fit extremely close to the body, accentuating the chest, shoulders, arms, and waist with no gaps. It creates that signature Onyx V-taper look without feeling restrictive.”
Yes, it’s going to be tight throughout the whole body, but this streamlined fit is also made to move with you through every set, rep, and workout. The design also features a silicone strip around the bottom hem that helps keep your top in place while you train, reducing movement during heavy lifts and helping maintain that clean, close-to-body silhouette.
The second difference is the fabric…
“The fabric of Onyx is really premium, and it has a great stretch - it’s a little thicker than your standard muscle fit training tee like Geo Seamless, and it has a four-way stretch which allows the product to move with your body while maintaining its shape.”
It’s a totally different experience from a relaxed training tee. Both work in the gym, but compression fits carve and support your muscles in a way that a baggy tee could never.
“Now, the thing that truly defines Onyx is the signature shark-scale texture and the logo,” says Bryan. “ Each item has a slightly raised, textured detailing inspired by shark skin. It’s a purely aesthetic design feature that gives Onyx its distinctive premium finish.”
“Every Onyx collection also features the iconic raised rubber logo across the chest, creating a bold, premium finish that's instantly recognisable - even all these years after the very first launch”
Frequently Asked Sizing Questions
"Should I size up or down if I’m between sizes?"
Stay True To Size If:
You want the intended Onyx fit.
You enjoy a tight, muscle-fit feel.
Your measurements align with our
size chart.
You regularly wear compression clothing.
Consider Sizing Up If:
You're between sizes.
You prefer a slightly less compressive feel.
Comfort is your top priority.
You don't typically wear fitted gym clothing.
“What size should I get if I have broad shoulders and a smaller waist?”
We'd generally recommend sticking to your usual size.
Onyx is designed with a muscle-fit silhouette that follows the shape of your body, so it's normal for it to feel more fitted across the shoulders and chest than a regular training top. If you have a broader upper body and a narrower waist, that's actually the body shape Onyx is designed to complement.
If you're between sizes, think about the fit you're after. Stay true to size for the signature Onyx look, or size up if you'd prefer a little more room through the upper body.
"Why does Onyx feel so tight on?"
Because that's exactly what it's designed to do.
Unlike a standard training tee, Onyx is made to sit close to your body from the chest down, creating its signature physique-enhancing silhouette. That snug, locked-in feel can come as a surprise if you're used to regular or oversized gym wear, but it shouldn't feel restrictive.
If you can move comfortably through your lifts, breathe normally, and the fabric isn't pulling excessively, it’s not too tight; it’s just right.
How Should Onyx Tops Fit?
The easiest way to tell if you've chosen the right size isn't just by looking at the label. It's by looking at how the garment fits your body. Onyx is designed to sit much closer to the body than most Gymshark collections, but "tight" shouldn't mean restrictive. Instead, think supportive, secure, and sculpting.
If it's your first time trying Onyx, it may feel noticeably more fitted than you're used to, especially if you normally wear relaxed or oversized gym wear. That's completely intentional. We got insight from Bryan so you can truly understand how Onyx should fit and feel…
(And for anyone wanting a tighter fit to the waist… our Onyx OG launch might just have the answer…)
Fit reference: David wears a size Medium for the intended Onyx muscle fit.
Here's what a good fit should look and feel like.
Chest
A correctly fitting Onyx top should sit close to your chest without pulling excessively across the fabric.
The front logo shouldn’t be stretching.
Fabric should stay smooth rather than overstretched.
Shoulders
The shoulder seams should sit precisely on the acromion bone (the bony point where the top of your arm meets your shoulder).
You should be able to move your arms and press overhead comfortably.
Sleeves
Should hug the biceps and arms without cutting into them, e.g., too tight at the elbow creases.
They shouldn’t dig into your skin, cut off circulation or restrict movement.
Waist
“Unlike some previous Onyx iterations, the latest version is designed to stay fitted through the waist, helping create a clean, streamlined silhouette from the chest right down to the hem,” says Bryan. “If you've seen discussions online, or experienced a looser waist with Onyx, those often refer to previous versions of the collection.
“The latest collection returns to a closer-fitting silhouette that's more consistent with the original design.”
Armpits
The top should feel tight around the torso, but it shouldn’t feel tight underneath your armpits.
You should be able to raise your arms overhead, press, and pull.
The fabric shouldn’t dig in or limit your movement.
What Affects The Fit Of Onyx?
The same Onyx top can feel completely different from one person to another. Here are two key factors that can affect how it fits.
Your Body Shape
Onyx is designed to follow your body’s natural shape.
If you have a broader chest, bigger shoulders or more developed arms, you’ll notice a closer fit across your upper body. Likewise, if you’ve built your lats and back, the fabric may feel fitted through these areas too.
To put it lightly, this is not a forgiving collection: “the muscles, curves and shape of your torso are going to be accentuated,” Bryan tells us. That’s how it’s intended to fit, and why it’s such a favorite amongst those physique-focused lifters.
Your Preferred Fit
Some people love a second-skin feel. Others prefer a little more wiggle room.
If you're after the signature Onyx look, we'd recommend sticking to your usual size. If you're between sizes or simply prefer a less fitted feel, sizing up may be the better option
If you're chasing an even more sculpted look, many Gymshark athletes choose to size down for an extra-tight physique fit. This creates an even closer-to-body silhouette, but because Onyx is already designed to fit snugly, we'd generally only recommend this if you're comfortable wearing compression-style clothing.
How Should Gymshark Onyx Feel?
Before you order yours, it's worth understanding how Onyx is designed to feel. There’s only so much you can get from pictures after all.
Fitted correctly, your Onyx piece should feel:
✅ Like you can raise your arms overhead comfortably.
✅ The sleeves feel secure but not restrictive.
✅ The chest feels fitted without excessive stretching.
✅ You can move naturally through exercises.
What it shouldn’t feel like:
❌ Painfully tight.
❌ Restrictive when breathing.
❌ Overly stretched or strained against the body.
❌ Limiting during exercises like squats, presses, rows, or pull-ups.
Here's the thing: just because it’s compressive doesn’t mean it should feel uncomfortable.
If Onyx feels noticeably more fitted than your other gym clothes, that's normal. The collection is designed to sit closer to the body than many other Gymshark collections. Which leads us nicely on to the next question…
Introducing Women's Onyx
After years of anticipation, Onyx V1 isn't just back; it's expanding.
Alongside the return of the iconic men's styles that helped build the collection's cult following, this launch introduces Women's Onyx for the first time. Designed with the same attention to fit, silhouette, and physique-enhancing details that made the original collection so sought after, the women's range brings the Onyx aesthetic into a new category.
Featuring a Baby Tee, Long Sleeve Top, and Tank, just like the men’s section, each piece is designed to feel more fitted than your average training top.
Women’s Onyx Key Features:
Sculpting fabrics to create a supportive second-skin feel.
Contouring seam lines to subtly enhance natural shape.
Cropped and fitted silhouettes are designed to create a confident athletic look.
Just like the men's collection, Women's Onyx is designed to feel more fitted than your average training top. The goal isn't to hide beneath fabric. It's to create a confident, athletic silhouette that feels as good as it looks.
Women's Onyx delivers the signature look that made the franchise iconic, reimagined for her.
What People Are Loving About Gymshark Onyx:
Physique-Enhancing Fit
Many customers point to the signature Onyx silhouette as the collection's standout feature.
As one customer put it:
"V1 Onyx just fits differently. It makes you have the best V taper you've ever had."
Many praise the compression, panel placement, and muscle-fit construction that accentuates the upper body while creating a sharper waistline.
The Premium Feel
Fans also regularly highlight the quality of the collection, describing Onyx as feeling more premium than standard training apparel, with lightweight materials that remain supportive throughout a workout.
As one reviewer said:
"Incredible quality, amazing silhouette, and the best feel I've ever had in gym wear."
Confidence In Training
Perhaps the most common compliment of all?
How it makes people feel.
One reviewer described it as:
"Fabric that really shows off my physique. I honestly feel like a superhero."
The boost of confidence you get from Onyx is truly unmatched.
The Legacy
For many, Onyx is more than just another Gymshark collection.
The original Onyx collection built a loyal following thanks to its physique-enhancing silhouette, premium feel, and limited availability. Years later, it's still one of Gymshark's most talked-about collections, with fans eagerly waiting for every new drop.
"I've waited 10 years to get one of these, and boy was it worth the wait."
And it continues to be one of Gymshark's most talked-about launches.
Onyx FAQs
Is Onyx supposed to be difficult to put on?
A little, yes.
Unlike relaxed-fit gym wear, Onyx is designed with a snug, body-contouring fit, so it may take a little more effort to pull on than your everyday training clothes.
That doesn't mean it's too small. As long as you can move comfortably, breathe normally, and train without restriction, that snug, locked-in feeling is exactly what Onyx was designed to deliver.
Just give yourself some extra time in the changing room.
Are there any differences between the original Onyx and the new OG version?
Yes, but only a few.
The latest OG Onyx has been designed to stay as true to the original as possible. It uses the same signature fabric, the same close-to-body muscle fit, and the iconic shark-scale knit that made the collection so recognisable in the first place.
But Bryan explained to us that there are a couple of subtle updates, “including a small Onyx wordmark across the back of the neckline” and the introduction of women's styles for the first time. Otherwise, the design team intentionally kept the original formula intact. But if you have the OG Onyx, that small detail on the back will preserve that archival pride.
Does Onyx make you look bigger?
It's not going to magically add inches to your arms, but it is designed to help showcase the physique you've worked hard for.
The muscle-fit cuts, physique-enhancing panel details, and sculpting fabrics work together to accentuate areas like the chest, shoulders, arms, waist, and glutes, creating a streamlined silhouette. That's one of the reasons Onyx has become so popular among lifters and physique-focused athletes over the years.
Think of it less as making you look bigger and more as helping your physique stand out.
What Collection To Choose If Onyx Sells Out?
Looking for a physique-enhancing fit?
Pick:
→ Geo Seamless
→ Apex
Both offer a close-to-body fit that’ll make your muscles pop.
Looking for a performance-focused training collection?
Pick:
→ Apex
→ Arrival
Both are built for training, with performance-enhancing fabrics and strong aesthetics.
Looking for a close-to-body feel with stretch?
Pick:
→ Element
→ Shadow
They both have that body-hugging look, with Element being slightly thinner than Onyx, and Shadow being a little thicker.
Looking for a strong gym aesthetic?
Pick:
→ Legacy
→ Crest
Both bring that gym-floor energy, just in a different way to Onyx.
Looking for the closest alternative?
Pick:
→ Shadow
→ Element
Shadow offers the closest Onyx-inspired silhouette, but with a slightly thicker fabric. Element delivers a similar muscle-fit look with a lighter-weight fabric.
Looking for everyday versatility?
Pick:
→ Crest
→ Arrival
Easy to throw on for a workout, a coffee run, or anything in between. These are the collections you'll keep reaching for.
The Round Up
Onyx has earned its reputation for a reason.
Since its original launch in 2016, it's become one of Gymshark's most recognisable collections thanks to its unmistakable design and iconic fit. Nearly a decade on, the formula hasn't changed.
It's still built for lifters who want tight gym wear that helps them feel confident every time they step onto the gym floor.
The original formula is back. The same iconic fit, the same signature fabric, and now, for the first time, a Women's collection too.
Choose the right size, trust the fit, and let Onyx do what it's designed to do - highlight the physique you've worked hard to build.
