So i live in a major city where everyone on planet earth is a skinny bitch and fitness freak lol. I’m slowly turning into that kind of annoying person too haha. So because of that, there’s every possible fitness class, fad gym, regular gym, fancy over priced boutique class available to me and they’re expensive as hell. So i’m trying to narrow it down.

Has anyone actually tried orange theory? Is it fun? Is it mostly weights, or cardio? Is it worth the price? Are the classes super long? And be honest, would you a actually stick with it or do you suggest something else?

T.I.A

They will let you try it free for a week. It’s important to find something you enjoy. It’s easier to go if you enjoy the people

Agreed. Im going to try it with a friend. Weird confession time: i don’t mind working out at all, but i hate classes. Something about being a room full of strangers creeps me out. So trying this would be new for me.

We have one opening up soon. What is it about? I mean like...what makes it different than any other gym?

To be honest I thought it was a juicing place at first [emoji23]

I can answer that for you. It’s a class not a gym, so you’re guided through each workout with your trainer. It’s broken down into 3 circuts or blocks. Like one circuit might involve tradmills or rowing machines, the next circuit might involve weights, the next might involve plymetrics and body weight movements etc. and you rotate throughout each. Everyone that has done it, loves it and it is intense. The trainers are friendly, it’s not designed to be like bootcamp per sei.

They put one inside my building so i was considering it. But even after my military discount it’s $169 per month in my area. Lifetime fitness has way more to offer for less money and out of the thousands of classes they offer each week, they have an orange theory equivalent class complete with heart rate monitors too. So i just joined that instead, it’s way cheaper.

I have a few friends who love it. You have a heart rate monitor and during each of the circuits you have a goal and "compete" with the displayed heart rates of everyone else to get in to the right zone. However, like the poster immediately above, I'm a member of a LIfetime Fitness and absolutely love it. I have access to personal training, classes, yoga, Pilates, spin, crossfit style classes, zumba - you name it. Do the trial week on them. If you like it, great. If the first session makes your skin crawl because there are too many people, walk away. You have to find what works for you.

I know this is a few months late and I'm sure you made a decision already, but I'm a big fan of OTF. Literally changed my life.

The workouts are about 60 minutes, and you are guided through the class by a coach. I started there pre-op at about 310 lbs. 2.5 years later and its my staple workout. I go 3-4 times a week. While the workouts can be intense, you move at your own pace and coaches will provide modifications for anything you struggle with. Can't run? Jog. Can't jog? Walk. It's that easy. When I started I was a "Power walker" meaning any treadmill work was done at 3.5 mph adjusting incline to increase intensity. Now I'm a jogger/runner AND on days my legs aren't feeling it or maybe I overdid it, I power walk again. No shame in power walking. You'll also hear people talk about "splat points" which is just the sum of minutes you got your heart rate over 84% of max during the hour. They tell you to shoot for 12 splats. I've gotten zero and I've gotten 40+. In the beginning, just walking, I'd hit 84% HR just walking into the place.

At max weight I was burning 1000+ calories per class. Now being lighter and fitter (and I think just being a dude) that has gone down. I can burn anywhere from 500 - 800 depending on the workout.

The biggest point of anxiety I hear from people is "I don't want my heart rate up on the screen". Guess what? No one cares. Literally, everyone is busy looking at their own stuff. The zones are based on your heart rate and help you quantify your work.

Now the kicker, its hella expensive when compared to traditional gyms. Pre-op I had a membership to a number of traditional gyms and if I ever actually went, I half-assed the elliptical for 30 and went home. Zero motivation to go, very little financial consequence to not.

For me, and this is just me. I need someone telling me "ok, pick that up, ok put that down, now go over there and do this". I walk in, I do the things and I leave. No guess work, no figuring anything out. Even on days I'm not feeling it or don't give 100% I still feel good knowing I did something.

Given all that, it works for me. For people looking for something, I'd recommend everyone at least try it a couple of times.

Hope it helps.

On 02/20/2019 at 11:23, jongetsfit said:

I know this is a few months late and I'm sure you made a decision already, but I'm a big fan of OTF. Literally changed my life.

The workouts are about 60 minutes, and you are guided through the class by a coach. I started there pre-op at about 310 lbs. 2.5 years later and its my staple workout. I go 3-4 times a week. While the workouts can be intense, you move at your own pace and coaches will provide modifications for anything you struggle with. Can't run? Jog. Can't jog? Walk. It's that easy. When I started I was a "Power walker" meaning any treadmill work was done at 3.5 mph adjusting incline to increase intensity. Now I'm a jogger/runner AND on days my legs aren't feeling it or maybe I overdid it, I power walk again. No shame in power walking. You'll also hear people talk about "splat points" which is just the sum of minutes you got your heart rate over 84% of max during the hour. They tell you to shoot for 12 splats. I've gotten zero and I've gotten 40+. In the beginning, just walking, I'd hit 84% HR just walking into the place.

At max weight I was burning 1000+ calories per class. Now being lighter and fitter (and I think just being a dude) that has gone down. I can burn anywhere from 500 - 800 depending on the workout.

The biggest point of anxiety I hear from people is "I don't want my heart rate up on the screen". Guess what? No one cares. Literally, everyone is busy looking at their own stuff. The zones are based on your heart rate and help you quantify your work.

Now the kicker, its hella expensive when compared to traditional gyms. Pre-op I had a membership to a number of traditional gyms and if I ever actually went, I half-assed the elliptical for 30 and went home. Zero motivation to go, very little financial consequence to not.

For me, and this is just me. I need someone telling me "ok, pick that up, ok put that down, now go over there and do this". I walk in, I do the things and I leave. No guess work, no figuring anything out. Even on days I'm not feeling it or don't give 100% I still feel good knowing I did something.

Given all that, it works for me. For people looking for something, I'd recommend everyone at least try it a couple of times.

Hope it helps.

Thank you! Thank you thank you!!!!! This was super helpful. There is one literally in the lobby of my building and i still haven’t gotten to try it yet lol. But now i’m definitely planning on it. I think they have different teirs to their memberships right? I still have my lifetime fitness membership which i love. So if i join, i wouldn’t necessarily need the unlimited OTF membership.

This was sooo helpful by the way, thanks again. I’m glad you’re succeeding with it too!

I was scared because correct me if I'm wrong. Seriously please do. I'm 4 months post op. 5'3 265 pre op today I'm 215 down 50 in under 4 months. Wahoo! I haven't started hitting the gym yet because I own my own cleaning company and I am constantly moving and doing a lot of manual labor so I feel pretty exhausted for the most part. Early mornings, long days & sometimes nights. But regardless of that part. My biggest fear was burning way more than I eat. Is it true it's not healthy for me to burn so much more than I eat? Plus I burn alot at work? My client is begging me to join orange theory. My soul wants to. I'm scared. I like what Jon said about needing someone to just tell you what to do.

On 02/20/2019 at 15:30, dndshepherd said:

I was scared because correct me if I'm wrong. Seriously please do. I'm 4 months post op. 5'3 265 pre op today I'm 215 down 50 in under 4 months. Wahoo! I haven't started hitting the gym yet because I own my own cleaning company and I am constantly moving and doing a lot of manual labor so I feel pretty exhausted for the most part. Early mornings, long days & sometimes nights. But regardless of that part. My biggest fear was burning way more than I eat. Is it true it's not healthy for me to burn so much more than I eat? Plus I burn alot at work? My client is begging me to join orange theory. My soul wants to. I'm scared. I like what Jon said about needing someone to just tell you what to do.

You can still definitely workout. You won’t “over burn” and you’ll be fine. Also, you’re nervous about being exhausted, start with a low impact workout instead like zumba or water aerobics, barre class etc.

Orange theory is more of a high intensity workout, but you can modify it for your needs.

3 hours ago, xoxococojay said:

Thank you! Thank you thank you!!!!! This was super helpful. There is one literally in the lobby of my building and i still haven’t gotten to try it yet lol. But now i’m definitely planning on it. I think they have different teirs to their memberships right? I still have my lifetime fitness membership which i love. So if i join, i wouldn’t necessarily need the unlimited OTF membership.

This was sooo helpful by the way, thanks again. I’m glad you’re succeeding with it too!

Yes there are three tiers. If you plan to go more then 3x a week, unlimited is the best value. However, most people I've talked to start at elite which is cheaper and gives you 8 classes a month, but they don't rollover. Most studios will let you move between tiers pretty easily. My wife also goes, she does the 8 classes a month, but occasionally does an extra or two. In that case she pays the "drop in" rate. I think its $18 dollars per but I'm not sure.

3 hours ago, dndshepherd said:

I was scared because correct me if I'm wrong. Seriously please do. I'm 4 months post op. 5'3 265 pre op today I'm 215 down 50 in under 4 months. Wahoo! I haven't started hitting the gym yet because I own my own cleaning company and I am constantly moving and doing a lot of manual labor so I feel pretty exhausted for the most part. Early mornings, long days & sometimes nights. But regardless of that part. My biggest fear was burning way more than I eat. Is it true it's not healthy for me to burn so much more than I eat? Plus I burn alot at work? My client is begging me to join orange theory. My soul wants to. I'm scared. I like what Jon said about needing someone to just tell you what to do.

My experience, I needed to start slow. Right after surgery I'd take 15minute and then 30 minute walks and need a nap. I believe I got the OK to work out at 8 weeks and wowie, those days were ass kickers. First of all, I'm not a doctor or a NUT but I wouldn't worry to much about the calorie deficit. That's kind of the whole point right? Plus at this stage you should be meeting with your doc regularly, check in with them but I have a feeling you aren't going to waste away. As long as you are getting your protein in you are probably ok. Plus working out doesn't just burn fat, it also builds muscle. AND working out regularly will help you build up your stamina. I know it sounds cliche, buts my endurance and heart rate recovery are frustratingly good. I'll workout, lift, run, whatever, HR is great. I stop moving for a second and it plummets. That is a good thing, but frustrating when working out.

Again, not a doctor, just my thoughts.

Oh one more thing, this guy on youtube is a big OTF fan, he started a year or so ago. His videos are pretty good:

Oh one more thing, this guy on youtube is a big OTF fan, he started a year or so ago. His videos are pretty good:
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Good advice. You're probably right. I'm probably just overthinking it. I think I'll just join. I'm starting to look like a burning candle lol Thanks Jon. What's your stats?

Oh one more thing, this guy on youtube is a big OTF fan, he started a year or so ago. His videos are pretty good:
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He said "I got fatter" lol

On 02/20/2019 at 21:31, dndshepherd said:

Good advice. You're probably right. I'm probably just overthinking it. I think I'll just join. I'm starting to look like a burning candle lol Thanks Jon. What's your stats?

I know they offer a free trial class and some studios are nice enough to let you try a week free. See if you like it first. I can be honest with you and say whatever you decide, make sure you truly enjoy it first before comitting, because reality is all workouts work.

For example, i tried solider fit, and i hated every minute of it. Not the actual workout, but i hated being yelled at or punished for going at my own pace. The one nice thing about orange theory is that it is month to month, if you don’t like it.