Orangetheory Fitness

Reviews 3

TH

Thrifty Minded Mama

OTF offers a wide range of 60 minute HIIT classes with a mix of interval training on treadmills/rowers with strength training blocks mixed into the work out. Every single work out is different so I’m never bored and I’m always being challenged to the max. Strength training equipment includes free weights, body weight, TRX, ab roller, bench and weighted medicine balls. You will wear a heart rate monitor that you can either borrow or purchase. I bought the wristband and prefer it to the monitor that wraps around your chest. (Be sure to charge it after each class.) Your gender, height, weight and activity level are entered into the system and heart rate will appear on a large TV for everyone to view. What was most eye opening to me was to think I was working hard, yet I wasn’t even close to the orange zone of 84%. This simple fact has now shown me that all of my work outs prior to OTF, and prior to wearing a heart rate monitor were absolute crap. To really understand what I mean, take a free class at OTF. You will push yourself in a way that will truly maximize your efforts and burn calories in a super efficient way. After the class, your final results will be up on the screen and it will be emailed to you for your review. Intervals are usually 1-3 minutes that include a base, push or all out pace. For example, 3 minute push, followed by a one minute base, followed by a 2 minute push, followed by a one minute all out. Repeat. The trainer will guide you to what those speeds will be for you. Each day is either endurance, speed, power or all three. Another workout may be the above mentioned but at a 3.0 incline. What seems slightly insane becomes doable when they are completed in short intervals with time to recover allowing you to purposely go from the orange zone to green to orange again, hence the purpose of the interval. I also feel that the music is a big part of the work out as the trainer has the ability to speed up the songs to fit the work out. I love me some club music or even top 40. All of the trainers that have taught my classes are different but they are each phenomenal in their own right and well-versed in Orangetheory’s philosophy. They are all friendly, engaging, inspiring and motivational in a non-threatening manner. What I mean by that is I don’t need someone in my face yelling at me to push myself. I feel as if they respect you for being there, knowing you are about to bust your butt on a whole new level. Your heart rate is up on the screen so they know when to push you or have you back it down. Trust me, heart rate monitors don’t lie. This is the key to your weight loss and fitness success and what makes OTF different than the rest. As you prepare to sign up for classes, note that the popular time slots do fill quickly but if you put yourself on the waitlist, anticipate that you will get into the class. You will be notified by email if you made it in as well as a follow up phone call from OTF to confirm you can attend. You can also sign up for several of the same class (day/time), weeks at a time. I do wish there were more classes on the weekends as the studio usually closes after a 11:30 am class but I imagine this is typical as the gym has been open for 6 months. Most classes are full with 24 people— 12 on the treadmill and 12 on the rowers. Every class I take another person becomes a member. Classes held at 8:15 pm tend to be smaller but only run fall, winter and spring. When I say IF I CAN DO IT, YOU CAN DO IT, I mean it. I’m 40, overweight, carrying almost five year old baby weight around and I might be slower than some, but I finish every single time. My best may be better or worse than another, but every class I’m improving my times and recovery rate. There are people of all ages and fitness levels in the class and you have one hour to focus on yourself getting fitter, stronger and faster. Despite being a former college athlete, I have NEVER worked so hard in my life and I love every second of it. I feel so lucky to have found OTF-- life changer!

KI

Kim Srey

Since I joined OTF, I lost 30 pounds. Coaches- I like the variety of coaches. They all have different personalities and expertise but still motivates us to strive for better and improve our form on the tread, rower and floor. The trainers (and Andrea in the front desk) all have helped me PR on the treadmill to run longer, faster and get higher wattage on the rower. Workouts- I love that the workouts are challenging and are things that I would NEVER do on my own if I was to work out at my local gym. Its great that I am pushed to run hills and do sprints on the treadmill, because, who really goes to the gym and has the self discipline to do so? On the floor, I like learning new compound workouts like suit case squats, renegade rows and utilizing multiple muscles. I also love incorporating different equipment that I dont always have access to at my local gym (ab dolley, TRX, bench, rower). The calves stretcher and foam rollers available are an added bonus! Technology- I love being able to see my performance during and after class and knowing when I need to push a little bit harder to get myself into the target zone. If I were to work out on my own, Im sure I would mostly be in the green and probably coast along. Cooling/Stretching Its great the warm ups and cool downs are rushed! Its great that the new stretch routines are based on the muscle groups used for that class. Professionalism: All Staff (both trainer and front desk) are courteous, friendly and knowledgeable! Its not a random person of the street teaching a group class but they know the science and technology! They are available before and after class to help out and answer questions and are actually involved in other events (races, rowing clinics) Cleanliness: I cant say this about most gyms but this one is ACTUALLY CLEAN and the equipment actually functions or gets fixed right away if it doesnt. From the machines to the showers, everything is immaculate. Ive seen trainers rerack weights when they are not in proper place and Ive seen the front desk staff help maintain the lobby and shower facilities.

JO

John Gugliotti

Short Review: Orangetheory Burlington is a great place to go if you want to be sure you are getting the most out of 60min workout. Staff is great, the gym is clean, and the other members are nice and supportive. Long form review: I will start by saying I am a 32yr old male who never seriously worked out before joining OTF. I was nervous walking into a class with other people but after 4-5 classes the nerves go away. The classes are structured so that people of any fitness level can walk in start working at a pace that works for them. My first day at OTF Burlington was in June 2016. As I write this I have been going for over a little over a year. I started with 2x times a week for a few months. I now go 5x times a week and have been for last 5-6 months. The Orangetheory format is something that works well for me. Each class is a little different but you know you will get ~30min on the treadmill and ~30min of floor/weight exercises. You might be a little lost during the first class as you need to listen for instructions from the coaches. Don’t let that get to you, it only takes 2 or so classes to get the hang of things. The workouts are all about getting your heart rate up. This gives you some flexibility in how you go through the workouts. If you aren’t a strong runner and work up a sweat power walking on hills that is perfectly fine. I personally started off power walking then moved on to jogging. All the coaches at OTF Burlington are great. You can tell they legitimately enjoy their jobs and want to help you improve yourself. The best part in my mind is they take the time learn people’s names to help motivate you throughout the class. I have lost weight going to OTF Burlington, which was my original goal. However, after a few weeks the weight loss stopped being my driving factor. My goal became to see how well I could push myself and improve at the different elements of a OTF workout. I am happy to say I have improved in all areas, and I am still motivated to keep going.

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