Tag: workout clothes

Is Fabletics Fab or a Flop… Thicc girl review

On By Thinks with SpinksIn Fitness, Opinion, Products I LikeLeave a comment

(note: This is a non sponsored review, I paid for all of my clothes.)

I gave in and tried that 2 for 24$ deal I have been seeing around. Because who can pass up a two pairs of leggings for 24 dollars. Certainly not I. I basically live in my workout clothes. I work out 6 days a week. So I need to be able to cycle through the clothes. My workout clothes criteria are:

  1. It has to have great compression.
  2. It has to fit well. There is nothing more irritating than trying to complete a workout when your clothes are uncomfortable. For some people its a deal breaker, because they don’t want to be in the gym in the first place.
  3. I have to feel cute in it, or at least it has to fit and look good on me.
  4. I like interesting designs
  5. It has to pass the squat test (meaning squatting does not pull the fabric so thin that it shows the world your assets, or the cute writing on your panties.)

This is what I got and this is what I paid for it. I took advantage of the 2 leggings for 24 dollars, and they had an extra deal they were doing at the time, that applied to my order. $30 dollars I believe extra credit applied to my purchase. Which made my order for 3 things $33.90.

Order Summary
Subtotal$154.85
Shipping$4.95
Tax$0.00
Order Total$33.90

Items Ordered

Sarah Sculptknit L/S Top - L
Name:Sarah Sculptknit L/S Top – L
Size:L
Color:black
Price:$39.95
Salar Statement PowerHold® 7/8 - L
Name:Salar Statement PowerHold® 7/8 – L
Size:L
Color:bayberry/burgundy
Price:$49.95
Salar Statement UltraCool Legging - L / Short | 25
Name:Salar Statement UltraCool Legging – L / Short | 25
Size:L / Short | 25
Color:black/black shine
Price:$64.95

Let me start with the Pros:

  1. The compression on the material is great.
  2. I love the feel of the fabric on all the items.
  3. I love the fit and feel of the Sarah Sculpt knit top. Best piece out of the lot.
  4. It passes the squat test. There is a tiny bit of panty showing, so not 100% opaque more like 98%, but it is not that much that I am concerned.
  5. Cuteness? Yes they are cute, with a better fit it would be cuter
  6. It is comfortable, I was able to do my MA workouts and Weight lifting/running workouts no problem.

Cons:

  1. I would not pay, $50, and $65 dollars for the pants. I can get better from other companies like Grrrl.
  2. The leggings fit over all was accurate… however, for me it was slightly bigger, but not to be a problem. I would go down a size when if I order again.
  3. Salar Statement PowerHold® 7/8 pants were a little disappointing. I was not expecting the sides of the mesh panel not be tacked down. Because they were not sewn to the mesh they buckled at the knee, and down on the leg lower toward my ankle. They buckle in weird awkward ways, making my silhouette weird. The picture they show in on a more leggy model, but I still think that was a mistake not to sew down the sides of the mesh. You can see what I am talking about in the picture below.

So now would I buy again, for $33.90? Heck yes… that is a steal. Would I be happy paying full price? Meh no. I think there is potential in some of these outfits, leggings, shirts, etc. However, you have to be willing to try out the different fabrics and styles to see if you like them.

I was most disappointed in the way the burgundy leggings embellishment that buckled. I had high hopes for those. They are so pretty in the pictures online, but my body is not long and lean like the models they have on there.

Maybe they could use different kinds of models so that women of all types can see what the clothes will look like on them. (note: I was just perusing their website, and they do have other models. Yay! I was mistaken, and I am happy to see that they have other body types on there. )

How does Fabletics work?

Well think of it like a subscription to workout clothes. They will charge your credit card each month unless you click the skip button, or cancel before the 5th of the month. Here is the information you can get right off of their web site.

“

FABLETICS MEMBERSHIP
Fabletics provides a monthly membership program that grants you access to style experts and the latest athleticwear trends. To get started, simply take our Style Personality Quiz. Next, you must register and create a member account through this Site (“Account”). After you have successfully created an Account, you will have the option to select your favorite item(s) from the ‘My Outfits’ section of your Account (“Outfits”). There is no registration fee and no obligation to purchase. Our Fabletics style experts will continue to determine which athleticwear Outfits best match your workouts and style.

VIP MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM
To become a Fabletics VIP Member, simply purchase any Fabletics item on this Site and keep the VIP Membership box checked on the checkout page to enroll (including the monthly, automatic purchase feature). As a Fabletics VIP Member, our experts will send you a customized selection of Fabletics items on the 1st day of every month. You will also receive emails, newsletters, special offers and other updates to maximize your shopping experience.

HOW VIP MEMBERSHIP WORKS
As a Fabletics VIP Member, you will be required to take action by the 5th day of every month by selecting one of the Monthly Options described below. These options can be selected through your online account or by calling customer service at 1-844-Fabletics (1-844-322-5384). You may also cancel your Fabletics VIP Membership at any time. 

If you do not select the ‘Skip This Month’ option, select an item for purchase or cancel your membership by the 5th day of the month, your credit card will be billed $49.95 for that month and you will receive a Fabletics credit that can be redeemed toward the purchase of any Fabletics item in any future month.

All items come with a 30-day return/exchange policy.

VIP MEMBER PERKS – VIP PRICING
As a Fabletics VIP Member, you will be able to purchase Fabletics Outfits starting at $49.95, including, but not limited to a pre-determined combination of, tops, sports bras, pants, shorts, athleticwear accessories and other items. The site also offers a range of products, including, but not limited to, tops, sports bras, shorts and more for less than $49.95. In order to bring you this fabulous pricing, we must charge a $4.95 shipping fee for all orders under $49.95, after applicable discounts. For all orders $49.95 or over, shipping is always free.

In addition, the site will occasionally collaborate with premier trendsetting partners to offer specialty items at exclusive members-only prices. In order to bring you the most fabulous fashion trends which are not offered anywhere else, these exclusive specialty items may be offered at prices above $49.95.

You will also receive emails, newsletters, special offers and other updates to maximize your shopping experience.

“

The website has cool looking clothes. I have not decided if I am going to continue my membership or cancel yet. However, my biggest concern was that this workout clothing was just going to be Atheliesure clothes and not something that would hold up to my sports, MA activities. I went with PowerHold fabric which is their most compression fabric, and the Ultra Cool which is mid to high compression. So for me this time it was a hit and miss type thing. Still I got a great deal for $33 dollars and I was able to sate my curiosity.

I hope this helps you decide to take the plunge or just keep ignoring those Fabletics adds we see all over the place. Fabletics was not all Fab for me, but it was not a total Flop. So I am right in the middle. Thanks for reading and have a great day.

Grrrl crop tights and shirt… Thicc Girl approved

On By Thinks with SpinksIn Fitness, Fitness LinksLeave a comment

*Note* I am not paid by GRRRL. I bought these products with my own money. I just want to review them and let you know of a great company that I support. I have a link at the bottom of this blog post that they gave me and if you do buy something I will get a help with my next purchase. Please don’t feel obligated to use my link and you don’t have to buy anything. *end note*

I loved the dragon scale pants I got from Grrrl clothing so I decided to get some more. There was a great sale going on, and I was able to get this pair of crop tights, and a shirt on sale.

Crop Tights

I went down one size in pants. These pants straddle two girls sizes, and while they fit fantastically I wanted to see what the lower size felt like. I am happy I did. I wanted to see how a light colored pair of pants would fair in the squat test. I have to say I am over all pleased with the pants again. Its the same awesome soft satiny feeling fabric. It has great stretch and compression for my hard Thai workouts, and great for running.

These tights retail for $44.00 dollars. I have bought tights from ~$14.00 when I was starting out my journey, to ~ $60.00 for some of the more name brand tights like Nike, and Under Armour, just to give you a range. One of my favorite brands is still Under Armour. These are fantastic pants, really great quality, so super comfortable, and a great price point. I don’t have to tell you the $14.00 tights did not last long, and were not manufactured well.

You get what you pay for, and when you start out your journey it may be the correct answer. You don’t want to start a journey, try to get your habit established, and drop a lot of money on clothing. However, after you get your routine going, and you start building out your wardrobe and equipment. Shopping for and getting the best quality will make your workout all the better. Bonus points for making you laugh or making you feel special when you wear the clothing.

These pants also pass the squat test. There was a little bit of panty showing. However, keep in mind I wore dark panties, navy blue with a very light colored pants. I am still happy with how much it covers up.

These pants made me laugh. I graphics they have all over this fabric.

Muay Thai T-Shirt

I was also able to get a shirt that I have wanted for a while. It says Kick Like A Grrrl. With an image of a female Thai fighter on the front. It makes me smile when I see it, and bonus it is slightly glittery.

I was pleasantly surprised about this shirt. I thought it was just going to be cotton when I bought it. However, it is really a super soft and a little stretchy cotton shirt. Here is their description.

“We’ve finally found the perfect fit tee shirt. Made from glorious soft af cotton, this shirt has the softest, finest touch of fabric you’ve ever felt. It nearly feels like bamboo. WIth a style that is not fitted, and yet not a sack, the Lift OH Ali shirt is a perfect semi-lightweight tee that will delight all the senses.

If you look closely, the screen print is encrusted with sparkles, so when you kick like a grrrl, and bust some ass…. you can do it with some extra glitter and sparkles.”

It is $19.99 and so worth the money. Now when I kick the crap out of the pads I can do it and sparkle at the same time. =)

Again the packaging was fantastic, everything came as I ordered it. The manufacturing of their clothing is fantastic. I could not ask for more.

If you have not seen my other post about Thicc Girl Approved pants, let me give you a little info about this company. It is called Grrrl, and it supports all women of all sizes. It celebrates us all, and makes clothing for all girls.

“GRRRL – OUR WHY….

We exist to empower women to share their experiences and to come together as one to make the world a better place.

We will do that by fighting to remove the barriers that get in the way of women realizing their potential.”

They want to empower women, and have us raise each other up, instead of competing.

Thank you for reading and have a great day!

If you are interested in ordering from this company use this link that they gave me.

https://www.grrrl.com/ref/652/?campaign=Thinks.Spinks

Pants that pass the THICC girl booty test…squee!

On By Thinks with SpinksIn body image, Fitness, Fitness Links, Products I LikeLeave a comment
My booty, but more importantly this pattern fabric is fantastic

Did you hear that all they way over there? That squee of delight when I just tried these pants on last night. I ordered these pants to try them out, and I did a 2.5 hours of training in Muay Thai and Kali. I got them on recommendation from my trainer/coach in Muay Thai. She uses them, and I thought, hey I will give it a try.

I am always on the look out for good workout tights. I work out about 5 to 6 days a week. So I need pairs of tights that will perform, not break down after two washes, have some compression (the ugly truth is I have loose skin from losing 70 lbs), are comfortable to wear and fit over my posterior, and bonus is they have awesome patterns and styles. However, as I have children and a family I could not just buy all the things I wanted. I decided to try one pair of pants.

I will give you all the pros and cons of these pants so far as I see them. I got the Dragon Skin Next Level Leggings.

Pros:

  • They don’t use the “standard” size numbering system, that was developed not taking into account different bodies of all different kinds of women. They use their own models names, and measurements. If you get your measurements and order by that, you will have a great fitting garment.
  • The stitching is strong and stands up to vigorous exercise. (Note: Thighs that rub together. )
  • The fabric feel fantastic its silky and thick, wicks sweat, and moves with your body as you do your exercise. It does not feel cheap.
  • It passed the panty test. (When standing you cannot see the panties through too shear fabric, also normal stretching and bending did not reveal any view of panties.) (I have had tights that you could read the writing on them through the pants just standing there.)
  • The pants stay up, no rolling or sliding down the body.
  • It passes the thicc booty test. (When you have a larger posterior, often times patterns will get distorted and look horrible if they are stretched over an area. It also draws attention those areas that are larger and you may not want to have attention drawn to. As you can see the stretch was perfect and did not distort the pattern. )
  • Last but not least they have fantastic customer service. (They noticed right after I ordered that they were out of the pants I ordered. I had not been to my computer so I did not see the email. In a mater of 24 hours customer service person Chloe had emailed me that they did not have my pants, and did I want to change it, or for the trouble cancel and get money toward a different order? Then in the next hour she emailed me once more that she found them in their Canadian store and was going to have the Canadian fulfillment center send them to me. Heidi was fantastic from the Canadian side as well. )

Cons:

  • For me really the only con so far is that pant leg is long on me. I am a short person. 5 foot, so everything is long on me. But really its not all that much of a con. I am going to try their capri’s next. You can see them bunched up around my ankles in the pictures.
  • Front view
  • Side view
  • Side view
  • View with Grrrl logo
  • Side view
  • Pattern in different less light

Now about packaging. Generally when I go to the store, I have been trying to use less disposable bags. So I did not think I would care about the packaging for this. However, I think they used just enough packaging to ensure that my garment got to me safely, but made the packaging meaningful. I love the little details. The purple-pink of the outer packaging, and the washing instructions on the outer brown paper bag packaging. Both are recyclable and they brought a smile to my face. The best surprise was the tag that the pants had. If you were giving this to a friend, you could address the garment to them.

” In today’s society we are programmed to see each other as competition. At Grrrl, we are changing the game. We exist to break the cycle of competition, and band together as sisters.

As our newest member for the #GRRRLARMY, your initiation consists of letting another Grrrl know something great about her, because chances are, she doesn’t see it in herself.

Flip this card over and fill in the blanks. Sometimes it’s easier to write it down and hand it over. “

Other side:

” Hey Grrrl-FRIEND! I wanted to tell you that

_____________________

_____________________

_____________________

Don’t forget, you were born perfect. You go Grrrl!”

You can see in the pictures below if you want. There is not much more to say. I was not paid for this review. It is just how I feel about this product.

I did find on their website that I could become an ambassador for them, and they will give me credit. They gave me a link I could give you, and a 20% off coupon that you can use when you decide to order. Even if they did not have the ambassador program, I would still support this company. It is doing good things for us girls/women/ladies out there. We need to lift up and support each other.

Here is my Thinks with Spinks link for you to try, and below is the coupon code.

20% off coupon code nom1yq8d

As always thanks for reading, and let me know what you think.

  • Packaging
  • Washing instructions
  • Pants
  • This tag says it all
  • Other side of tag

The Journey Continues

On By Thinks with SpinksIn FitnessLeave a comment

 

“Wisdom is merely the movement from fighting life to embracing it.” – Rasheed Ogunlaru

Blogging… I have started and stopped this entry a few… many times.

Should I blog about my fitness journey, my body image or body acceptance progress, and my general fitness life?  When I write things out I find I am more able to objectively compare and contrast everything.

Should I just keep my thoughts to myself? I often post on FB and am surprised to see how many people are interested in what I am doing. I use FB as a snapshot of what I am doing, don’t always really go into great detail.

If you want a peak into my internal monologue, and perhaps the brain weasels that plague me, and make me doubt myself this is the place to be. If you want to see what I am doing and my new fitness adventures this is the place to be. If you want to see the products that help me in this journey I guess this is the place to be.

Where to start?

Hi, my name is Tanya, I have a family whom I love, and work as a pastry chef, teacher, and cake artist. I have been on a fitness journey for 4 years and 4 months. Through that time, I have had a many ups and downs. Since I started this journey I had a kidney stone, I had cancer/hysterectomy, I broke my toe, then I stepped off a ladder wrong and fell herniating a disk in my back. I will try to unpack all that into another blog entry.

I am a Muay Thai practitioner a.k.a. Nak Muay in the United States. But in Thailand I would be Nak Muay Farang or Foreign Boxer. It is still weird to me to say I am a Nak Muay. The why it is weird for me is a whole pandoras box of self-esteem issues. Issues of when are you good enough to be called a practitioner instead of a dabbler. I start off with this identification of Nak Muay or Thai Fighter, because it is a major part of my life. I make it that way. I love it learning it and practicing it. It is a huge challenge and feels amazing when I learn something new or even just get closer to perfection on timing/execution for core moves. It’s a passion for me and I structure my life around our classes and practices.

If you had asked what I did for working out 9 months ago I would have said I am a weight lifter, and I run for cardio. Things change, people change, and passions change. I find following what you love will make you happier in the long run. If you asked me what I was doing for my workout 2 years before that I would have said I am doing the Turbofire cardio kickboxing workouts, and some other Beach Body workouts.

It has not all been smooth sailing, or a piece of cake as it were. My fitness journey is just that. It has a destination but not an end. I am going to continue to change, going to continue to find ways around my limitations. My coping mechanisms when brain is being mean is to look up new workouts to get me excited, cute workout clothes that makes me happy to wear and excited to get into the gym, and articles from trusted sources that help explain my body type and why my body is awesome and I should love it not hate it like I often do.

That is what I will be posting about. If this stuff is interesting to you welcome and strap in because it is bound to be a strange ride.  Thanks for reading or making it to the end.

Next Blog: New Years Resolutions, to make them or not make them