OrangeTheory Fitness Review

I didn’t read an Orangetheory Fitness Review before I started classes last month…so I’m sharing this one to help someone make the decision to try out OrangeTheory for themselves…. I was looking for something new besides the gym where I’m currently a member. I looked at crossfit gyms, barre classes, and boot camps before settling on Orangetheory. I needed something that would be different to shake up my at-home beachbody workouts and my lifting dates with John. (And I needed something that would be intense enough to have me see some results quickly.)

I’m gunna tell you that right now I love this workout.

 

You will love Orangetheory Fitness too if you:

• Enjoy being moderately social but hate people really trying to start convos with you when you’re working out
• Enjoy gym classes but hate how cheesy/easy/uncustomizable they can be
• Don’t want to feel like everyone’s looking at you while you workout
• Appreciate personalized help from a coach, but not being screamed on by a drill sergeant
• Want to lose weight, increase endurance, increase strength, increase mental fortitude
• Dislike traditional gym settings for whatever reason
• Enjoy a little positive reinforcement when you’re kicking ass
• Like to push yourself, are competitive in the least

Excuses you may have for not working out, or not joining a gym etc, are all out of the window with Orangetheory Fitness:

I don’t like gyms – it’s not a gym, it’s a boutique fitness studio feel

I don’t like group class stuff – it’s the most independent “class” environment ever

I don’t like people watching me work out – nobody gives a damn about you, they’re focused on their own burn

But my knees – There’s bikes/rowers, not just treadmills, and even on treadmill you can walk

But my neck/back/old injury/surgery/pregnancy – There are (several) modifications for everything we’re asked to do

I don’t like instructors yelling at me – They don’t. They instruct, cheer you on, give one-on-one help when needed (this is dependant on facility i’m assuming I go to the Royal Palm Beach location and the instructors there are the shit!)

I’m out of shape – Who cares? You start where you are and orangetheory fitness will get you into shape

I’m too old for intense workouts – it’s only as intense as you make it, and there are members of all ages. Some days I’m the only person in my class that’s not gray.

OK… now that that’s out of the way… This is what Orangetheory is in their words:

The physiological theory behind the Orangetheory workout is known as “Excess Post-Exercise Oxygen Consumption,” or EPOC. By providing you with a heart-rate monitor and POD, we can monitor your 5-zone interval training sessions that we call the Orange 60. During the 60-minute workout, you will perform multiple intervals designed to produce 12 to 20 minutes of training at 84% or higher of your maximum heart rate, which translates to Zones 4/5. This program design produces workout “afterburn” effect, which is an increased metabolic rate for 24 to 36 hours after the workout. When combining the amazing workout with EPOC, our clients burn an average of 500 to 1000 calories.

The Orangetheory workout will produce increased muscle Endurance, Strength and Power and if desired, tremendous weight loss. With energetic music, a talented group of fitness coaches and a high-energy studio, you have the recipe for a workout that produces BIG and LASTING results.  (You can read their philosophy here!)

In MY Words: 

You strap on a heart monitor, enter class and begin a guided workout. The class is split into cardio and strength. So you’ll either start on treadmill/bike or rower or on the floor for weight/strength training. Each class is an hour long and you get a full body workout as well as cardio in within that hour. No two classes are the same. I Repeat: NO TWO CLASSES ARE THE SAME. That was the draw for me because I bore easily.

After the workout you receive your results from your heart rate monitor right to your email. You see how many calories you’ve burned, and how long you were in each heart rate zone. Your goal is to be in the orange zone which is what lets you know you’ll be burning more calories over the next hours post-workout.

Now, I’m going to be 100% honest with you, cuz that’s how I do.. There are negatives as I see it:

• Nickel & Diming – I just paid $169/month for unlimited classes (this varies by location, FYI) and you’re gunna gank me for a $30 or $60 heart rate monitor? Dude… just include that in the cost for unlimited members. And if I forget my own monitor I have to rent one for the day? Um…it’s sitting in the drawer and I’m a member… just give it to me to borrow.

• Cost to Service ratio – So, the monthly cost is fine to me, I feel like I’ll certainly get my 170 worth each month, but when a facility has premium pricing, I expect premium service/user experience. (please refer to negative #1) Towels/bottled water included would be great start. When I suggest people try Orangetheory out, the cost is the major objection for most and I wish I could rebut with “Oh but they include x y and z…” but I can’t. (The customer service is awesome and friendly though)

• Kids Club – I wish I could bring Kaya. That would allow me to attend class far more often. This is the 2nd objection that I get when I invite people to try it with me. It’s also the reason so many of my local south florida folks are going to the big gym nearby. That kids club is clutch!

Note: I can’t think of a single negative about the actual workout itself. It’s SOLID.

Orangetheory Fitness is a great workout. Totally complete. I’m not a sweater. It takes a lot for me to sweat, and I leave every class drenched. Drenched. It’s disgusting and so gratifying. I go 3 times a week and have noticed results already.

My conditioning is improving. It takes a lot for me to get up to the orange zone, where before I was huffing and puffing early on. I’m getting much better with my rower form. As for physical changes, I feel like my legs and shoulders are getting slightly more defined but nothing major to report yet.

I suggest you go and try a free class and see if it’s for you.

There are options for drop-in classes or 4 / 8 classes per month memberships, as well as 10 or 20 class packages too. John tried his first class on Saturday and he loved it. (check us out on our way to class, we randomly FB lived)

 

Oh, that reminds me. I gave you a walk through of the Orangetheory Fitness location that I attend on FB Live a while ago. Check it out if you missed it: HERE.

So that’s my Orangetheory Fitness review.

Let me know if you decide to try it! Find a location near you!

Have you tried Orangetheory Fitness before?