Andy Devaney
Analis Cruz has never been one to tiptoe around expectations, and now she’s made history. The 26-year-old fitness influencer, followed by more than seven million fans across Instagram and TikTok, has become the first-ever Hispanic athlete to launch her own Gymshark collection.
For those tracking inspirational UK road trips in the fitness world, Cruz’s journey might just be the most powerful story on the map.
Born in the South Bronx to a Puerto Rican mother and Dominican father, Analis Cruz didn’t grow up with the kind of polished backstory most brands like to plaster on billboards. Her early years were marked by constant upheaval—moving from house to house, even living in a shelter at one stage. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was grounding. That resilience and deep respect for community still pulse through her work today.
“I always thought I was just going to be like another girl who works a nine-to-five and is just trying to make her way,” Cruz admitted. “My entire life was always just trying to make our way through the next day, just struggling. So in my head, I always thought I was gonna struggle, and that really sticks with you. You disbelieve anything bigger than what we are. So that’s why this is unbelievable for me.”
Finding her strength
At 19, with no athletic background, a battle with an eating disorder, and a lack of self-confidence, Analis Cruz walked into a gym and everything changed. Structure, discipline, and routine replaced uncertainty.
Then came 2020. While most of the world was locked indoors, a TikTok video showcasing her transformation exploded across social media. Overnight, she wasn’t just training—she was inspiring.
That viral spark lit a fire. “If I told my 21-year-old self this is what you’re gonna do, she would not even believe me,” Cruz said. “So in my head, I always thought I was gonna struggle.” Instead, she built a digital community brick by brick, turning her workouts into a movement that resonated with millions facing their own uphill battles.
The Gymshark collection
Fast forward to Hispanic Heritage Month 2025, and Analis Cruz has channelled that journey into her debut Gymshark line. Rooted in Gymshark’s Apex range, the collection includes leggings, shorts, and bras—all designed around her own body to contour the glutes, waist, and legs. Performance and comfort are a given, but Cruz also ensured her cultural heritage was stitched into every seam.
Expect 90s-inspired oversized tracksuits nodding to Dominican street style, mesh tees, woven designs, and her personal favourite—the Cruz jersey. “When we were at the design phase, I wanted women to feel like total heroes in the gym,” she explained. “That’s why Apex was such an inspiration for the collection. When you pull this kit on, it’s made to make you feel that you can achieve anything.
The Cruz jersey is special because it’s my father’s last name. He came to New York as an immigrant; he only recently became a citizen… and he was there to see everything on the campaign shoot. That was a full-circle moment.”
More than just a launch
For Analis Cruz, this isn’t merely a clothing line. It’s a statement. “This isn’t just a collection of Analis and Gymshark. This is a collection for the Hispanic community entirely,” she said. “A lot of us put ourselves in such a small box because we are Hispanic.
This isn’t just my win. This is a win for my culture, my family, and every girl who grew up like me. I want to show young girls, whether in the Bronx, the US or in Hispanic communities across the world that it’s ok to dream big and you can achieve what you set your mind to. I want to be the example that if I can do it, you can do it too.”
Where to find it
The Analis Cruz x Gymshark collection will be available exclusively at Gymshark.com from Thursday, September 25, 2025, at 7pm. Expect it to sell out quicker than a New York minute.
