Avia Got a Makeover: What to Love and Do Without

When you commit to a healthy lifestyle, it changes you. Working out and eating right isn’t just about looking a certain way; it’s about feeling a certain way. And, healthy lifestyles (like fit bottoms) come in all shapes and sizes. There’s no one right way to do it — just the way that works for you.

Now, there are a lot of brands that are starting to show that message in their apparel and products. There’s workout apparel that’s fashionable and functional for women of all sizes. There’s gear targeted for pretty much any kind of workout you want to do. And while there have always been awesomely cute options for those willing to shell out $75+ for a pair of yoga pants, it’s refreshing to start to see companies offer good quality, inspiring messaging and a really affordable price-point. And after a recent relaunching of its website and product offerings, I have to say: Avia has got a lot going for it right now.

The company recently sent us a whole bunch of its goodies to try, along with info on its #FindYourTime campaign (great message there). For a company that started out doing just basketball and running back in 1979, they’ve certainly come a long way. Here are the standouts — and a few things we could do without.

Avia Women’s Active Fashion Texture Tank with Back Straps

I got so many compliments on this tank! It comes in a ton of colors, has a really cool back design with cut-outs and is just the right mix of fitted and flowing to be functional but also flattering. It’s also moisture-wicking and — GUYS — goes for less than $8. Yeah, you can’t beat that.

Avia Women’s Active 22-Inch Capri

These capris aren’t the most luxurious capris I’ve ever tried on, but for less than $16 they get the job done. They’re tag-free (no chafing issues there), cute, stay put and have enough stretch to make you never want to take them off. And they come in some fun prints — I have the charcoal spacedye you see above, but the acid yellow/smoke print is wicked cute.

Avia Yoga Blocks

I’m not sure I’m an expert on what makes for an exceptional yoga block and what makes for a non-exceptional yoga block, but the Avia one I tried seem to be pretty fine for a home practice. Light. Foamy. Block-y. What more could you want? (And, we aren’t seeing these online anywhere, but they were recently offered on Groupon, so keep a look out there — no doubt they were up for a great price!)

But, not everything we tried hit it out of the park. A couple of items missed the mark.

Avia Women’s Balance Medium-Impact Seamless Sports Bra

When I read “seamless” in a description, I’m expecting a fit that is smooth, chafe-free and comfortable. But, man, this sports bra was anything but that. It was scratchy, rough and — honest to goodness — so uncomfortable that I had it on for five minutes and then changed out of it before my workout because it was bothering me so much by just being on. It’s a $13 (actually, down to $8 now!) bra, and, sadly, it feels like it.

Avia Slimming Belt

To be honest, I didn’t even take this out of the package. Because, WTF is a slimming belt anyhow? Ugh. A belt for weight-training or core support? Sure. (Which, on the packaging this does say it can do, but it’s obviously not how it’s being sold.) But one to reduce water weight and “slim” you? Well, you guys know how we feel about about all that business.

Do you have any Avia gear? This is the first stuff of theirs I’ve ever been in! —Jenn