I started working out three years ago. In that time, I’ve amassed a ridiculous quantity of workout clothes. It’s partially my own fault – when I started buying them I was not yet aware of my fitness clothing preferences, needs or style. But I kept buying things. I spent a lot; I have a lot; I don’t love a lot.
And I should.
When I learned about pvBody (at Refine, actually) I knew I needed to try it.
Similar to the Birchbox model, pvBody is a monthly workout clothes program. You take a quiz where you enter your preferences for color, style, favorite workout type and more. Every month, a full exercise outfit (top and bottom) gets delivered to your door for $49.95.
Not only is this far less than what you’d pay in a store (these are high quality brands), but you also get to learn about new brands you might not have known about.
At least, that’s how it worked with me.
If you’ve been reading here for awhile, you probably know I like bright colored tops and muted bottoms – so I selected those options in my quiz. When I take a class I almost always wear crops, and I am happy with my current shorts wardrobe, so I selected the crop/pants option in the quiz.
The packaging was shiny and pink and cute, for those of you who like that kind of thing. I prefer to focus on the good stuff.
The top: Electric Yoga Bolt Tank in Orange, retail price $68
The bottoms: Performance Sportswear by American Apparel Fitness Pant in Alloy, retail price $48
Total value: $116. I already won.
;
I loved the top. I don’t normally (and by normally I mean ever) choose orange for myself, and I am so glad that’s the color that arrived because it was different from the rest of my (mostly blue) workout tops. I loved the material, it was obviously extremely moisture wicking. It was long and comfortable. I did have to wear a full support sports bra underneath because the shelf bra in this shirt didn’t do much, but I didn’t mind.
The bottoms fit well and were flattering. They actually looked and felt a lot like the Lululemon Wunder Under pants.
I loved the top so much that I didn’t want to take it off, so I decided to test it out at CrossFit last night. I didn’t wear the pants because I prefer to work out in crops.
That reminds me – along with the clothes was a note from the pvBody team about how sizing can vary between suppliers, so if something arrives and doesn’t fit, you can just email them and they’ll take care of it for you.
;
The shirt kept me comfortable during a very sweaty workout, and I spent a good amount of time today browsing Electric Yoga’s site. I can’t wait to do laundry so I can wear the top again. It paid for itself, really.
Here’s why pvBody was created, from their website:
Why should you pay $130 or more for yoga pants? That’s just not right! So we’ve embarked on a journey to bring you the best quality active wear that we can find at a fair price. We’ll be curating brands large and small, new and old. So enjoy the selection, we’re positive you’ll love it!
We’ve built relationships with the manufactures of the biggest names in the business – and great new ones you’ve probably never heard of – so we can bring you an amazing value. With new items arriving each month we make it easy for you to always get cute new gear.
I’m such a big fan of this service that I decided to become a pvBody ambassador. This way, we all benefit:
- You sign up for pvBody using my link (http://www.pvbody.com/try/
dorishinyblog ) - You get 20% off pvBody for doing this
- I get $10 for you doing this
Edited to add: the Lululemon gift card is not applicable with this 20% off promotion.
Free shipping and easy returns seal the deal.
Now you all know what I think, so I’m curious to hear if you would ever try something like this. Why or why not?
And if you do sign up, please let me know how you like it!
Chika
December 11, 2012 at 5:13 pm (12 years ago)You’re the cutest! Question — do they offer sizes beyond L/XL? I’m working my way down in size…
Melissa
December 11, 2012 at 5:57 pm (12 years ago)Such a wonderful idea! Thanks for the discount code – just signed up :-)!!!
Ashley @Hop Skip Jump
December 12, 2012 at 5:20 am (12 years ago)Love the orange top! What happens if it doesn’t fit? I know you choose your sizes beforehand but sometimes brands run big or small. Would you be able to return it or exchange it?
Teri [a foodie stays fit]
December 12, 2012 at 7:27 am (12 years ago)glad to finally read a review! they emailed me a few weeks ago but i was wary. Now I want to try it – I’ll let you know if I do. 🙂
cameo
December 12, 2012 at 7:27 am (12 years ago)Super cool concept! How do they make money? This leads me to believe that the retail price of everything workout is indeed heavily inflated. Not sure if I am ecstatic that this exists or annoyed that I have been paying full price for this crap for so long!
cameo
December 12, 2012 at 7:32 am (12 years ago)Is there a coupon code? One thing I worry about is the fact that my sizes vary GREATLY from brand to brand. I worry that I will send most tops back…but other than that I think I am going to do this thang!
deva at deva by definition
December 12, 2012 at 9:30 am (12 years ago)I’ve wanted to check this service out, especially now that I am ramping up workout intensity to 1: stay warm and sane this winter and 2: tone my arms and shoulders BACK up before my wedding in May. It looks like you got some pretty awesome clothes!
NYC Fit GIrl
December 12, 2012 at 9:39 am (12 years ago)Looks like a fun service! I am not sure i would spend that much money on workouts clothes monthly but I do like the concept 🙂
Sally
December 13, 2012 at 6:45 pm (12 years ago)Despite working out 3+ times a week for the past 5 or so years, I only own a handful of workout clothes (a few shorts, a few capris, some sports bras, and random tanks). I love clothes but I don’t like to spend money on workout clothes that I’ll just sweat in and barely anyone will see. I know some people find cute workout clothes really motivating, so this seems like it would be good for that type, but for me it seems like a lot of money than I would rather spend elsewhere.
S
January 15, 2013 at 3:50 pm (12 years ago)Dori, have you heard any of the recent problems with pvBody? I signed up via your link around Christmas and have yet to receive a single thing, and I’m not the only one having issues — check out pvBody’s Facebook page. Please write an update post since you are an ambassador for the brand. Thanks!
-Sophie
Ali
January 21, 2013 at 1:44 pm (12 years ago)Unfortunately, I had to cancel. Despite taking their quiz and saying what I wanted, they sent me a top that I’ll never use. Trying to return it was a complete clusterf*ck. They also never applied the discount and I see so many others on FB are having the exact same problem. Oh well. Live and learn.
qiang
June 5, 2013 at 3:32 am (11 years ago)It’s really great I love fitness, good Dou