Orange Shoe Personal Fitness

I LOVE THE GYM. I have been telling all my close friends about how much I like Orange Shoe so now I’m telling you strangers.
There are all ages and fitness levels in the classes and everyone gets a great workout every time. It’s not a competitive atmosphere– somewhere between the «honor where your body is» vibe of a yoga studio and «drag this tire across the parking lot with you teeth, you pansy» vibe of Crossfit. They’re not selling any protein powders or branded shit– it’s just about having a good workout and pushing yourself.
FITNESS: you can do 1−1s or small group workouts. Small groups have anywhere between 2 and 12 other humans and most classes are a circuit type training which I love because it’s not boring and the time goes fast. Lots of props around, but simply used so you’re spending half the time figuring out how to work equipment. Are you new to fitness? Okay you’ll be sore AF, but it’ll be fun. Are you a workout queen? Whatever, you’ll be sore too or else you’re not trying.
SPACE: The gym space itself is cool– there are multiple room for different size groups and 1 – 1 sessions. Windows for the nature people, barnwood floors if you jam in the yoga room, and a non-​contrived industrial décor vibe throughout. The bathrooms are always clean and comfortable. GOD BLESS YOU ORANGE SHOE FOR PROVIDING TOWELS. And hair ties.
STAFF: I also like the trainers, which is probably worth mentioning. Everyone does a great and consistent job of being positive and also motivating. I hate being yelled at when I’m working out since it’s hard enough without some manic workout king yelling about how you can do better than that. The trainers here can certainly deliver an ass kicking, but they also smile and say «good work» and adjust your form and other helpful stuff like that. The good team is obviously a testament to good management and training. They feel like a true team, but not in a gross culty way where you if you’re new to the gym it’s going to be weird like there’s already a dynamic established and you’re an outsider. Try it! Just don’t start with Brent’s class on day 1. ;)

So I moved away from madison back in August and I miss this place dearly. I was grossly out of shape when I started personal training. At first it was awful, I couldn’t believe I was paying someone (a lot) to inflict this kind of pain. But then I started seeeing results and actually looked forward to going. I absolutely adored my trainer. He pushed me harder than I thought possible without being condescending, all the while enduring my verbal abuse. After a few months of personal training I started going to classes instead. The classes are held in what looks like an elementary school gym, complete with those little scooter things. Recess is their cardio class, although I always found the the name a bit misleading. Elementary school recess was fun. Recess class is sweaty. But anyway… Even after all that training my first day of recess was still ridiculously hard and I vowed never to go back… until one of the trainers bullied me into trying push and pull the next day (they’re definitely into the tough love there). Soon I was doing both classes everyday and loving it. The trainers do a good job of challenging people at every level by providing variations on the exercises, pretty much every class had at least one severely overweight person and one crazy athletic one, and it worked for everyone. This place is kindof expensive, but totally worth it if you can afford it.