Orangetheory Fitness

I like OTF. Do I love it? No. Do I think I will continue to go for months to come? No, probably not. Do I think it’s an amazing workout? Absolutely.
OTF is a different type of gym, where you can’t just go in and workout when you want. They offer classes throughout the day that all follow basically the same concept: working out in blocks with a mix of treadmill/​weights/​rower/​TRX while trying to get, and maintain, your heart rate in the «orange zone.» Half of the class typically starts out on the treadmill while the other half starts on the rower… then we switch later on in the workout. The instructors are miked up so it makes it easier to hear them over the music (which is pretty much today’s top hits, just at a much higher rhythm).
Two of the things I do really like about these classes is that 1) you’re able to see not only how hard you’re pushing, but how hard everyone else in the class is pushing. I’m not going to lie, I get a little competitive so when I see that Joe Schmoe is working harder than me, I push myself. Not everyone is like that though and that’s perfectly fine! The workouts are Hella hard… it’s about how hard you push yourself, but if you are truly working in that orange zone then you’re going to be working! The other is that 2) you are immediately emailed your results from the class when it’s over so you can see how you did.
Two of the things I don’t like: 1) the fact that you can only do the set classes in this gym. I know that’s the way it’s set up, but it means I have to go find another gym to workout in on days I’m not at OTF (I do not recommend doing it everyday). 2) They charge you a hefty fee if you miss or cancel a class after their 12-​hr window closes. I know it’s policy but I hate it. Sometimes things come up and it’s hard to get in at 4:45 or 5:30 in the morning.
They also have an app you can download to schedule your classes and see your class history, which is pretty cool.
Overall, OTF is a cool place. It’s effective, it’s hard and it’s a niche in my opinion. I can see how people that only go to the gym a few times a week would love it! I like a little more variety though. :)

Went to a session today, day after Christmas (had to get rid of all those cookies), first session for my wife and I. Jay was our coach and the class was great. We’ve worked out just at a regular gym for years but the interval training and performance monitoring at OTF was awesome, you can’t beat it. It’s really for people of any fitness level — You go at your own pace but they push you. 1 hour goes by quick because you’re constantly changing activities and you can see how other people are doing so it makes you want to burn more calories or maintain a high heart rate, etc. Both my wife and I burned over 1000 calories a piece, so mission accomplished I’d say. Highly recommend it for anyone, we had a great experience.

Just finished my first Orangetheory workout. I have to admit, I was a bit skeptical. It seems there is always some new fitness craze that comes and goes, so I didn’t want to buy into the hype. But I am leaving a believer.
The idea here is you wear a heart rate monitor which feeds into your own personalized screen on the wall. The screen tells you your beats per minute, calorie burn, and your percentage of maximum heart rate. It’s color coded to 5 levels and the goal is to be in the 3^rd, 4^th, or 5^th level (though they encourage the 4^th, the orange level.) So you increase or decrease your effort based upon what level you want to be at.
The class starts with a warm up on treadmill or rower, goes into strength training using weights, body weight, or TRX straps. Then goes into alternating between rowers and treadmill. There is a coach telling you how many reps or how far to run/​walk/​row. The coach may also come to you if you stay in the max zone too long, just to make sure you are not over exerting yourself. The class is an hour long and concludes with stretches. Your results are emailed to you after so you can track your progress.
The hour flew by. I was so distracted by watching my rate change and each exercise is quick so I didn’t have time to get bored. The prices are decent. Cheaper than a personal trainer but more expensive than just a normal group class. But I think it’s a fair price for forcing me to actual spend an hour straight in a gym.
So, I joined the hype. Skeptic no more.

This is the BEST 1-​hour workout in the country! You get a full body workout every time you come in, the class is small and you get a one on one touch with a personal trainer! The high energy atmosphere is a great motivator for those of us who take more of a push to keep going. Definitely check it out!