Orangetheory Fitness Review

Studio and Class:

OrangeTheory Fitness 3G – Gonzales

Description:

OrangeTheory Fitness has two different classes, their standard class that they are well known for and a strength training class. I have only taken their standard class. The class is a HIIT (high intensity interval training) workout with lots of cardio and is based off heart rate training. Majority of classes you will spend time on a treadmill (walking to running), rower, and weight floor. Every portion of the workout is guided. On the treadmill you are given an effort/ heart rate zone to hit, speed, and incline so there is no guessing on how hard you should be working. Same goes for the rower and weight floor. On the weight floor there are TV screens with a person demoing each movement along with reps for your reference.

Classes can be very large, do not expect a lot of personal attention, but if you ask questions or need help the coaches are very accommodating. I would recommend this to beginners since it is very well guided, modifiable and approachable workout. The class is intense and may be best to do a couple times a week someone new to rigorous exercise. The heart rate monitor should help you see progress and help you cage how hard you need to be working not if you need to take a step back.

Class Length:

1 hour

Drop In Rate:

$25 (this varies by location)

Vibes:

This studio is super welcoming, other members are friendly. There are men and women of all ages in class, but mostly women like most group classes. Depending on the studio will determine how hardcore the members are. Staff can be pushy to get you to buy memberships and spend money on additional packages like the “Transformation Challenge”.

Locker Room Situation:

Lockable cubbies for belongings, a few individual bathrooms with showers.

Sweat Scale:

9/10

Intensity Scale:

8/10

What To Bring/ Wear:

Wear clothes you feel comfortable doing rigorous exercise in. I like wearing black leggings (to hide the butt sweat) and a bra top. I wear running shoes that do not have major padding so that I can feel the ground when I am doing leg excercise on the floor. Don’t forget to bring your own water bottle and a sweat towel if you need it. OTF also uses their own heart rate monitors that are available for purchase. These are not required, but if you want your name and heart rate on the board then you will want this. You can also find them used here.

Shop my favorite HIIT essentials here.

Additional Comments:

I have been to numerous OrangeTheory studios in four different cities. Each studio has a very different vibe depending on the members, location and coaches. as with any fitness class, a coach can make or break your experience. OrangeTheory fitness is a very high intensity workout and can take a toll on your body over time or by doing too much too soon. It is great if you are looking for a killer HIIT workout, or are looking to jumpstart your fitness journey. One thing I love about OTF is their treadmills, I know they are likely very expensive but they are super bouncy and easy to use.

If your goal is general fitness, I think OTF is great. If your goals are more specific I would look elsewhere for a workout. I have been an Orangetheory member, but I feel the workout no longer aligns with my current fitness goals.

One other thing I have ran into in my five years of dealing with OTF on and off, is that their staff/ organization has not been the easiest to work with. More than any other fitness organization I have been apart of I have noticed a lot of big egos and terrible admin problems (I have been struggling to cancel a membership for months). In their coaching training they are looking for a specific personality that just is not my cup of tea. While I have ran into some coaches and staff I do not care for there have also been many I adore.

Sign up for your first class free here!