Happy Tuesday! Welcome to another edition of Tuesday Topics. We’re closing out August with a FREE topic! For today’s topic, I decided to write about my new love, Orangetheory Fitness. I didn’t know too much about it, and I know it can be intimidating, so I thought it would be a great topic to cover for today!
This week’s Tuesday Topic: FREE! You can write about any running related blog post. Remember to Link-up with Kim and Zenaida and the bottom of this post!
Last Fall, OrangeTheory Fitness announced that they would be opening up a studio in my city. I’ve been wanting to try OTF FOREVER so to say I was super excited was an understatement. I jumped at the change to sign up. I finally got to take classes this summer and I am hooked! If I didn’t run I would definitely be there 3-4 days a week but for now 2 days a week is just fine! Now that I’ve taken over 20 classes, I feel like I can speak to it a little more and answer some basic questions, especially for people that have never taken a class.
What is OrangeTheory Fitness?
The technical definition: “Orangetheory is a science-backed, technology-tracked, coach-inspired group workout designed to produce results from the inside out. Orangetheory is a 1-hour, full-body workout, focused on training endurance, strength and power. They use heart rate-based interval training, which burns more calories post-workout than traditional exercise. When wearing their exclusive OTbeat heart rate monitors, your real-time results are displayed on large screens throughout the studio. Intensity is based on your own individual heart rate zones, making the workout effective for all fitness levels. To top it off, our certified coaches lead the workout to prevent you from over or under training.”
My definition: It’s a kick-ass workout! The workout is always different so you don’t get bored, which is a huge plus for me. It’s a great mix of cardio and strength since most workouts utilize the treadmill, rowing machine and weights.
Is this a workout for beginners?
Although OrangeTheory says that their workouts are for all levels, I disagree with this. I do think that you need to have some sort of fitness level to do their classes. For instance, I don’t think you can go from not doing exercise for years to the taking an OTF class. You definitely don’t need to be a super athlete but I do think you need to have some level of activity before taking their classes as they can be really intense!
What are the 5 zones for class?
You will hear a lot about “staying in the orange zone” or “building a pyramid” during class. During a class, members focus on Zones 3 (challenging but doable), 4 (uncomfortable) and 5 (all out/sprint effort). These zones are individually calculated for each Orangetheory Fitness member. The classes are designed to produce 12 minutes or more in Zones 4 (orange) and 5 (red), combined, during the workout. I aim to have the bulk of my workout in zones 3 and 4, although I always get a few minutes in red, especially during sprints on the treadmill. You also earn splat points for each minute you are in the orange and red zones.
What are the membership options?
Their are 3 different membership levels – Basic, Elite and Premier. Basic offers four classes a month, Elite offers 8 classes a month and Premier offers unlimited classes per month. Currently I have the Elite membership which is perfect because there’s no way I could fit in more that 2 classes a week right now, especially with marathon training. The price for each membership varies by each location, especially in larger cities (NYC, Boston, San Francisco, etc).
Would I recommend OTF?
Definitely! This workout is the best of both worlds – cardio and strength. The coaches are awesome and they really take the time to explain each move, and the point behind each move, with you. They also do their best to push you to try your hardest. I honestly love everything about these classes. Also your first class is free so why not give it a try 🙂
Tell me: Have you ever tried Orangetheory Fitness?
Join the Link-Up!
Topic for next week – What’s your fall running schedule? Feel free to write about any running related topic. We hope you’ll link up with us!
I’m also linking up with Marc from Train With Marc and Debbie from Coach Debbie Runs for Coaches’ Corner!
OTF sounds a lot like the bootcamp I do at CrossFit but ours is without the measurements and the themes. I’ve always been curious about OTF–there are 2 near where I live. Sounds like a lot of fun! and a great way to get fit and/or supplement running.
Totally agree with you – it’s a great supplement to running. Although I’m not running faster for my long runs, I have noticed that my endurance is better which I contribute to OTF.
Great explanation of the class here! I tried it a few times when it first opened a couple of years ago. I agree, it is not a beginner class. You do have to have some aerobic fitness and some knowledge of how to use the weights. I did like it but could not figure out how to add it to my schedule since I do weights w a trainer twice a week. So glad to see it is working so well for you!
I can relate to it being hard to fit into your schedule. Right now I’m struggling to fit it in twice a week but I am hopeful that I’ll have more flexibility after my marathon.
Yesterday I went to my local running store (about 20 minutes from my house) and noticed a new OTF in the same shopping center. I would like to give it a try and see what it is all about since several fitness bloggers really like it. I already pay for a rec center/gym membership, though, so I would have difficulty paying for another workout program unless I really love it.
Definitely give it a try since the first class is free! 🙂
Never tried it because we don’t have it in Mayberry (can you smell the envy?)….but it sounds like something I’d like. I have never done any training based on heart rate (I know…I’m late to the party on this), but I should. I’d be curious what my HR is with all my burpees/push-ups and stair-training. It’s great that they explain what each move does and its effects.
I don’t run with a heart rate monitor, although I should. I really like seeing how hard I’m working when I’m in the orange and red zones.
I always enjoy reading about your OTF classes. I took a free class about a year ago and almost signed up but didn’t want to pay the price. I think for 8 classes about $150 per month?
It can definitely be a bit pricey depending on where the studio is located and if you are a founding member or not. My rate is $99/month which I think is affordable as it works out to $12.50 a class, which is more than worth it for the workout that you get.
I did OTF for a while years ago. I did like it, but I get bored so easily with fitness classes that I eventually left to try out a different type of cross training. I can’t ever stick with one type for very long haha! I may go back and try it soon. I did notice that it helped me to get faster when I was doing it.
I haven’t gotten faster yet but I have noticed that my endurance is much better, which is a big bonus!
It was useful to read your review, thanks for the details! That’s good to know it may not be the best for complete beginners.
No problem – I definitely wanted to add that part because that’s the one thing that I disagree with them on.
I haven’t tried OTF. I know you & Coco love it! For a long time there wasn’t one close to me, but now there actually is. However, it’s a bit pricey, although I’m sure that I’d only go for basic.\
Thanks for the thorough review, Kim!
It can definitely be a bit pricey depending on where the studio is located and if you are a founding member or not. My rate is $99/month which I think is affordable as it works out to $12.50 a class, which is more than worth it for the workout that you get.
I know a couple of people who go to OTF and from what they tell me I can’t imagine someone without even a little aerobic base going to one of those classes and surviving.
I’m glad you like it. It can only help your running.
I find that it is helping my running so far. I’m not running faster, but my endurance is much better.
Sadly we don’t have Orange Theory Fitness near us. I love the idea of it though and how the workouts are based on zones.
It’s my first time really working out with a heart rate monitor and i love it!
Beautiful review. Here I have never heard about OTF but it sounds interesting.
In my Garmin I have the heart rate monitor but I use it only to check that my effort is not too high.
I think my next thing to try will be running with a heart rate monitor so that I can really figure out my easy, moderate and hard efforts. I love that Garmin has that option.
I runfess that I’ve never taken OTF. And here’s why: I signed up ONCE for info about one of the studios before they opened here. They (and others) haven’t stopped bothering me since. It’s really frustrating because it sounds like a fun workout but I’m so annoyed by them that I don’t even want to go.
But I’m so glad you enjoy it! I love seeing your posts on IG! Keep up the good work.
Oh that’s a bummer 🙁 I’m sorry that you didn’t have a good experience with that studio. Harassing people is never the way to build up membership!
I have yet to try Orange Theory, but I have been tempted. As you know, it’s pricey, and I’m afraid I will sign up and then not go enough to get my money’s worth. Maybe some day…
Totally understand! And yes for the price you want to make sure that you are going at least 2 times a week for it to be affordable.
We have an OTF in Palm Desert, which is about a half hour drive from home. So I’ve never been. It is interesting to learn about, so maybe I’ll give it a try some day.
The main reason I was so excited about this studio is because it’s about a 10 minute drive from my house – the other studios were about 25-30 mins. It’s all about convenience!
I’ve never tried but I’ve always been curious how it’s set up. Thanks for filling plus in and sharing all the details.
No problem! I hope you decided to check out a class one day 🙂
Question: how are the zones individually calculated? What do they use to determine your zone? And then when they do determine it, what tracks your time in zone?
Each zone is determined by your heart rate. We wear a heart rate monitor so it tracks your amount of time in each zone.
So cool! I have never done OTF (there really isn’t a studio close to me) but I know so many people who go and love it.
I find it interesting that you say it’s not for all levels. Do they offer modifications for those who may not be as fit coming in?
So glad you found something you love!
They do offer modifications like if you have injuries, etc, but I just don’t think you can go from not working out for 5 years right into an OTF class. That’s a recipe for disaster, lol