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Ellie Fitness Subscription Box Review + Coupon – January 2018

Anna Reilly
ByAnna ReillyJan 26, 2018 | 10 comments

ellie january 2018 box

Ellie
3.2 overall rating
54 Ratings | 20 Reviews

Ellie is a workout wear + gear subscription! Each month you'll receive a complete outfit and some additional workout accessories/tools. They include a gorgeous metallic shipping envelope if there's anything you'd like to return, plus an invoice listing all the goodies you got.

ellie january 2018 unboxing

You can now choose between a three-item box or a five-item box. This is a review of the five-item box, which is $49.95 per month.

My Subscription Addiction paid for this box. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).

ellie january 2018 all items

About Ellie Fitness Subscription Box

The Subscription Box: Ellie

The Cost: $39.95 a month for 3 items or $49.95 a month for 5 items. Free shipping within the Continental US. $6.99 shipping to Alaska and Hawaii.

The Products: Each month, you'll pick from three fully styled fitness outfit, including items like a top, a bra, and a bottom. Choose the 3-item box to just get clothes, or get the 5-item box to also receive two fitness accessories.

Good to Know: Ellie offers subscribers the option to nab exclusive "add-on" items after they receive that month's box. Even if you choose to skip a month of the subscription, you'll still have the chance to nab certain add-on items.

Ships to: the US only

Ellie January 2018 Review

ellie outfit january 2018

Ellie moved to a new system that's a lot like Fabletics. Each month, you get to choose one of three fitness outfits that you'd like to receive. (You have until the 4th of the month to pick.) You can also skip the month and not be billed. And in the meantime, your membership will grant you access to their catalog of discounted fitness wear and gear.

I didn't choose in time, so Ellie chose my outfit for me. This is the "Fit and Fierce" look for January 2018.

white tank top with fit logo

Bally Fit Tank, Size Medium

This semi-sheer poly-cotton tank top is comfy and breathable and looks super sporty and fun. The logo isn't quite my style, but this is the perfect thing to toss over a sports bra before skipping off to the gym.

lace up detail leggings

black and white legging lace up pattern

Marika Ultimate Slimming Leggings, Size Large

The white panels on the sides of each leg are actually mesh, adding a little bit of extra breathability to these poly-spandex leggings. The black fabric is smooth but has a softer, knit feel to it. On any given day, there's a good chance I'll be wearing black, white, or gray, so the color palette here is right up my alley!

gripping lining

The only bummer is that these leggings have a scratchy mesh panel lining the high waist, presumably to help with the "slimming" aspect of the leggings. When it's flat against me, the mesh doesn't feel too noticeable. But when I pull them on or off, the mesh, or at least the thick seam securing the mesh to the leggings, is soooo scratchy and uncomfortable!

ellie white sports bra back of ellie white sports bra

Bally Low Impact Seamless Bra, Size Medium

This bra has a nice amount of all-over stretch to it that makes it really comfy for yoga, pilates, and other twisty-turny exercises. Again, I love the black and white color palette, since it'll go with so many other pairs of leggings I have, from the bright and bold to the low-key. The nice wide bottom band is probably my favorite part—it feels like it's sitting comfortably against my body, rather than digging into it.

Okay, so those are the pieces I got in the look that I picked. But Ellie was kind enough to send along the pieces from the two other outfits you could've chosen, too! They are...

ellie outfit option 2

The "Heart and Soul" Outfit

... which includes the...

Balance Collection Cropped Hoodie

A gray jersey pullover hoodie with dolman-like sleeves and a slightly cropped fit. It's not going to keep you super warm, but it's just the kind of lightweight, easy-going thing I'd swing on before savasana.

Bally DryWik Leggings

These poly-spandex leggings are on the thinner side, but they don't feel like they're going to slip around or slide down. In addition to a strappy ankle detail, there's also a panel of netted mesh streaking across each calf. I like that they're a simple, versatile color with details that make them feel fresh and special.

Marika High Impact Bra

This is just a really nice straightforward black bra with built-in cups and a smooth finish. There's just a bit of mesh detail on the racerback to give it a bit of edge, but it's still simple enough to go with any leggings I pair it with.

ellie outfit option

The "Modern Muse" Outfit

... which includes the...

Black Bally DryWik Leggings with Mesh Detail

Hooray for more black leggings! This style has a mesh panel going up the back of each calf, plus a strip of reflective silver. I'll be excited to wear this wicking pair out on a run when the weather warms up!

Marika Medium Impact Bra

I'm digging the stripes and the high cut of this look. It has all-over stretch, plus cups for extra support. The black panels on the front and back are sort of a really tight, netted fabric with tons of stretch. It feels really great to wear—secure and stylish.

Marika Striped Tank

This top is effortless to wear. It's lightweight and jersey-like, with fine black and white stripes running across it. I like that the arm holes are wider, so it's more of a muscle tee (that lets your snazzy sports bra pattern peek out).

REMEMBER! You don't get ALL of these looks in your monthly shipment. (Ellie was just kind enough to send them all to us so we could show you what they look like!) You'll just pick one that you like best via Ellie's website, and that'll be the one that's shipped out to you.

Cool? Cool! Now on to the accessories!

resistance band set

three colors of resistance bands

Bally Performance Loops Three Pack 

If you choose to get the 5-item Ellie box, you'll get two gym-ready accessories in addition to the outfits you receive. The first item I got was this set of three resistance bands. I've really valued having a set of resistance bands stowed in my living room. They make moves like squats, leg lifts, and even bicep curls (my favorite workouts to do in front of the TV) a bit tougher and more impactful. This set of three includes light, medium, and high resistance levels (and that high feels legit high for me). So depending on what muscle group I'm working (or how strong I'm feeling on a given day), I can switch up between bands.

GRLPWR canvas pouch

black and white canvas pouch

pink lining canvas pouch

GRLPOWR Pouch

The second item is this 7.5" x 5.5" canvas pouch, which is just big enough to hold my essential post-workout toiletries and small enough to comfortably pop into a tote bag. The pink lining has sort of a plastic-y, windbreaker-material feel to it, so I think it's somewhat water resistant, but probably not waterproof.

Verdict: I'm loving the new pick-your-outfit part of the Ellie process! I've had pretty good luck so far getting looks that are all pretty close to my style, but the fact that I can choose from three different outfits has me feeling really good about the workout wardrobe I'm going to build with them through the year. Less risk, more awesome style! As for the things I got this month, I'm happy with the top and tank, and the accessories are fun. (As someone who's still building out her at-home collection of fitness gear, I'm always excited to get new tools.) I'm so-so about the scratchy leggings, but once they're on, they feel pretty good. Ellie doesn't offer exchanges (except for damages and sizing), so if they definitely don't work for me, maybe I'll bring them to one of the clothing swaps friends of mine tend to host!

To Wrap Up:

Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Yes! Shop while it lasts.

Coupon - Use code CART20 to save 20% off your first box!

Value Breakdown: The five-item box costs $56.94 after shipping. All of these items were tricky to find values for. (After reviewing a bunch of Bally products and searching for their values, I'm wondering if they don't sell their items online?) Rather than guess at individual values that might be way off, I'll just say that based on the cost of the box, the average price I paid to get each of the five items via this subscription box was $11.39.

Check out all of our Ellie reviews and more fitness clothing subscription boxes in the Women's Subscription Box Directory!

Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!

What do you think of the January Ellie Box?

Starting at $44.95
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Ellie is a monthly workout gear clothing subscription! For $39.95 you get a 2-piece fitness outfit, which often includes a top and a bottom. Opt for their 3-item box ($44.95) to add on a sports bra, or a 5-item box ($49.95) and you'll get two additional work out accessories, like sliders, resista... read more.

Anna Reilly
Anna Reilly
Anna loves collecting little treasures, be they pop-culture finds, handmade mementos, or new potions to put in her makeup bag. Beauty boxes got her interested in the subscription world, but now she's swooning for all things kawaii!

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10 comments

Liz

I absolutely adored my Ellie box! I get to choose my outfit each month, it is generally not something I would have picked just out shopping and it ends up being totally cute! I love it and honestly can’t wait until the first of the month to get my next box! Had one communication with customer service, and I was completely satisfied!

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Sabrina

Wow! What a rip-off! At a local store I found the three bands for 799 each and marika leggings for 999 each any kind of semi sheer top you can get for like 799 and the sport bra for 999. I tried Ellie when it first came out years ago and after two boxes canceled because it was all cheap stuff. I now wear sweaty Betty all a law or Lululemon along with Atlanta so maybe I’m just a snob LOL

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Michelle

Please don’t think I am being snarky but those X’s on the side of your calf look as though they are floating on their own.

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Anna

So far I’ve been impressed with Ellie, the quality and customer service. I really hope this trend continues because this has the potential to be a really awesome sub box, one I would feel comfortable recommending to friends and family. I’m on my second box so we will see. One item was missing and I emailed customer service, and they have taken care of the issue, plus a little bonus item. It took a few days for them to get back but I was patient and they pulled through. I can’t wait for my next box all ready!

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Anna Reilly

That’s so great to hear! I hope you continue to be impressed 🙂 I’ve been pretty happy with this subscription so far, and I’m glad their customer service came through for you! Thanks so much for sharing your experience, Anna!

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Anna

You’re welcome! The low rating gave me pause, but I’m so glad I have them a chance.

Kc

Their clothes seem to run way smaller than other brands I’ve tried. Canceled after one box.

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Jody

This was my first box. I didn’t order the upgrade. If anyone gets the bands and wants to swap?

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Amber P

Have they straightened out their stock issues enough to honor the choices people make? IIRC in the past people often times complained about getting incorrect sizes or different outfits from what was being reviewed here on MSA.

I always like the look of this box but people’s stories of it makes me not want to go anywhere near it.

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Amanda

Those of us that pay for the 3-month subscription do not have the option to choose an outfit. Choice is only for those that pay month to month.

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