Is A Fabletics Membership Actually Worth The Price?

Whether one is heading to the gym or doing an at-home Pilates class that they found on YouTube, exercising is often viewed as a tedious part of the day. People are tired and have countless items on their to-do lists, so when it's time to get a sweat on, it's easy to grab the first oversized band T-shirt and old biker shorts they see in the closet (speaking of gyms, check out the sneaky ways they trick you into spending more money). However, experts say putting more effort into choosing workout clothes can actually increase mood and fitness success.

Speaking to Shape magazine, Carolyn Mair, Ph.D., behavioral psychologist, and author, explained why this is. "There's a really close connection between your body and your mind," she said. "And it's clear that how you feel physically impacts how you behave." For anyone looking to test this theory out themselves next workout, there's a wide variety of brand activewear to choose from these days, including one that operates on a membership model: Fabletics.

Boasting a wide range of colors and styles for both men and women, in addition to collaborations with Kim Kardashian, Kelly Rowland, Lizzo, and other celebrities, Fabletics has been fusing fashion with activewear since its inception in 2014. While customers are able to make one-time purchases, Fabletics heavily promotes its VIP membership, which allows its subscribers to receive credits and discounts for a monthly fee. While some subscriptions (like beauty boxes) are worth it, not all of them are. Read on to see if holding a Fabletics VIP status is worthy of your hard-earned money.

When a Fabletics customer opts in to join the VIP membership, they're awarded a welcome deal of two-for-$24 leggings and 80% off all items. Afterward, they're charged a monthly subscription fee of $59.95, which includes the following perks: 20% 50% off retail prices, early access to limited-edition drops, and one Member Credit per month that can be redeemed for any two-piece outfit or item up to $100 (in-store or online). For example, the Nurture 2-Piece Outfit, originally $134.95, would cost a VIP member $84.95 with the discount for a savings of 37%, or they could choose to use a Member Credit toward the purchase for a total savings of 56%.

There are a few things to keep in mind, mainly that the $59.95 membership fee is charged on the sixth of each month. While Fabletics offers subscribers the option to skip a month as many times as they want/need (and forgo the Member Credit for that month(s) while retaining the other benefits), they must remember to skip between the first and fifth of the month, otherwise, they'll be charged. For those looking to cancel their Fabletics membership, this also must be done between the first and fifth. Subscribers should note that canceling isn't as easy as clicking a button. This must be done through an online chat or by calling 844-449-4889.

Additionally, unused Fabletics Member Credits expire after 12 months, which can amount to over $600 lost if a subscriber fails to spend them in time.

A number of Fabletics customers agree that VIP membership can be worth it, but on one condition: They take advantage of the "skip the month" option. In the Reddit subreddit r/Fabletics, in response to a thread entitled "Membership is a Rip Off," there was an overwhelming consensus that the $59.95 fee and Member Credit is a waste of money. The reason? Each credit can only be used for one item, which oftentimes costs less than that amount. 

In order for VIP to be worth it, many recommended skipping the monthly fee and Member Credit, and instead utilizing the discount perk of membership (for free). Redditor U/stooph14, for example, said, "I've been a member for 10 years. I skip every month and just purchase during their big sales. $15 workout leggings and $10 shirts is the way to go. My husband has been a member for a year now and he does the same. We text each other on the first [of] every month to remind each other [to skip]." 

And so, if someone is looking for discounted fashionable activewear to replace their old shirts and shorts for a mood-boosting workout experience — and they're diligent about remembering to "skip" prior to the sixth, since using autopay for subscriptions could end up costing them — this is a way to go if you're considering Fabletics ... especially given the fact that Fabletics has been rated one star by 83% of the reviewers at Consumer Affairs (as of this writing). Fabletics customers expressed their dissatisfaction with the quality of the clothes, customer service, and more.