Latest posts by Kumiko Ehrmantraut (see all)
- 13 Budget-Friendly Gift Ideas - August 22, 2019
Today, I am really excited to share with you one of my favorite things. If you didn’t already know, fitness is a huge part of my life. I workout for at least an hour, six days a weak, which means I pretty much live in workout clothes.
Working full-time, being a mom to an energetic 5-year-old little boy, running a full-time business on part-time hours, and trying to have a social life all at the same, sometimes gives me very little time for me. I don’t have time to go to the mall and shop for clothes, and I definitely don’t have time to worry about looking cute at the gym. I go to the gym to sweat, not to look good.
So when I discovered the Ellie Subscription box, I decided to give it a try.
Now, before I go any further, I have tried subscription boxes in the past and have been disappointed. Sure, the convenience of having them delivered is great, but the prices always seem to be a little outside of my comfort zone. For example, I love Stitch Fix. The clothes they send are super cute, but there is no room in my budget for a $58 shirt and $100 pair of pants.
Ellie is different, and today I am going to share with you why I think it’s worth every penny.
WHAT IS ELLIE?
Ellie is a monthly subscription service that mails you amazing products for people with active lifestyles.
There are currently two subscription plans to choose from:
- 3 items for $39.95/month. With this subscription, you get three pieces of clothing, which usually consist of a top, bra, and a bottom.
- 5 items for $49.95/month. On top of the 3 pieces of clothing, you also get two fitness accessories.
Every month, items are shipped to your door with no shipping costs. At the beginning of every month, Ellie announces the new items, so you know what to expect in the upcoming box. If you don’t like the items, you can always choose to skip that month, and you will not be charged. I absolutely love this feature. I get to pick what is being sent, and if I don’t like that month’s box, I don’t have to pay for it.
During the registration process, you choose your sizes for the bottom, top, and bra. From my experience, the sizes run true. After choosing your sizes, you choose which prescription option you want. Once registration is complete, you are all set up to receive your first box. Remember to check their website on the first of the month to decide if you want to skip or pay for that month’s box. I have also found that their Instagram page is very helpful if you want to see the clothes on different body types and during various activities.
You can see more FAQs about Ellie HERE.
WHY IT’S TOTALLY WORTH THE MONEY
Out of curiosity, and because I just can’t help myself, I decided to see what the cost of the box would be if I ordered every item at the retail price, individually. Here is what I found out for the August 2017 subscription box:
- Chloe Sunny Seamless Sports Bra in Heather Black/Poppy: $14.99
- Marika Sunny Tack Back Tank: $19
- Nux Women’s London Leggings: $86
- Marika Medium Resistant Toning Bank in Mint/Grey: $15
- Bally Core Sliding Discs: $11
I could only find the toning bands in red, and I wasn’t able to find the sliding discs for that particular brand. I was able to find similar discs on Amazon for about $11.
So the total cost of the 2017 August box would run you a whopping $145.99. I received the 5-piece box for only $49.95. That’s a $96.04 difference. With the convenience of free shipping, no time spent at the mall picking out clothes, and with that much in savings, I think that’s worth the subscription price.
WHAT I LOVED
As always, Ellie does a fantastic job with its clothes. I am a very active person, and that doesn’t always mean lifting weights at the gym. I am also a runner. If the weather is nice enough, I will run outside, and if not, you can find me in the gym on the treadmill. I love to go hiking, and I am always running around outside with my 5-year-old son. This month’s box had some very versatile clothes that were comfortable for all of my activities.
The leggings are breathable and stay in place. I have bought leggings before that either hit too high on my stomach or moved around a lot. I love the material and the fun mesh design. I also like that the leggings are casual enough to wear with a t-shirt to a baseball game or to the park with my son.
The shirt, which isn’t shown here, has semi-sheer stripes that do an excellent job of keeping me cool in this summer heat.
The sports bra has a really fun design, and I love the pop of color. It’s comfortable and provides enough coverage at the cleavage line and on the sides.
The accessories in this month’s box make a perfect addition to your home workout space. If you don’t want to spend money on a gym membership, the sliding discs and resistance band give you plenty of different options for working out different muscle groups. I use the resistance band a lot of upper body workouts.
MY COMPLAINTS
The only real issue I had with this month’s box is that the sports bra didn’t have straps that are adjustable. The sports bra fit fine, so it wasn’t too much of a problem, but due to my short torso, this might be a nice addition in the future.
The shirt was comfortable, but the material didn’t have a lot of give. If it doesn’t fit just right, it could look a little boxy.
I will be doing a review of my Ellie box every month as well as a cost breakdown. If you are struggling to find the time to look for affordable, cute workout gear, Ellie might just be the perfect solution for your busy, active lifestyle.
You can check out Ellie HERE.
If you want to follow and see more of my fitness journey you can do so on my personal Instagram page HERE.
I used to run marathons, but now have a few extra pounds. I need to tighten up my cardio game and get back on track with total transformation. I need to make healthy changes out of inspiration or desperation. Fitness to me is more than looking good on the outside.