Orangetheory Fitness

I recently had the opportunity to check out 2 classes at Orangetheory Fitness to check out what all the hype is about this one-of-a-kind workout. If your unfamiliar with OTF, we currently have 2 locations here in Charlotte…
 Quail Corners // located off Park Rd. (this is where I went) 
 The Arboretum // located off Providence Rd.

The whole schtick at Orangetheory, is all about getting you into that Orange Zone! The Orange Zone is what helps you achieve the greatest “Excess Post-Exercise Oxygen Consumption” or EPOC. And what does that mean?? This increases your energy & metabolism post-workout resulting in more fat & calories burned. Wee 🙂
 During a heart pumping, 60 minute class, your guided through a combination of strength & cardiovascular — High Intensity Intervals, or HIIT, to be exact — in various, what OTF calls “blocks” on the treadmill, rowing machines or on the floor where you’ll be coached to perform a variety of exercises utilizing free weights, TRX or simply using your own body weight. 

A few things that really stood out to me in making Orangetheory unique…

1. Heart Rate Monitors: OTF utilizes heart rate monitors during your training. Strap the monitor around your chest and watch as you move from grey, to blue, to green & into the orange zone on the screen. Not only does this track your heart rate & calories burned but it offers a bit of friendly competition to get your name up in the ranks with the rest of the room.
2. Performance Summary: At the end of every class, a performance summary will be e-mailed to you, summarizing your calorie burn, average & max heart rate + how many minutes you’ve spent in each zone. (grey, blue, green, orange, red) The summary is a pretty sweet motivator as it helps to keep a record of how hard you worked from one class to another which again, creates a healthy competition (of the best kind) — with yourself. Nothing like trying to beat YOUR previous numbers, right!?

“The only person you should ever compete with is yourself. You can’t hope for a fairer match.”

3. Modifications. Whether your on the treadmill or on the floor working thru a strength block, a modification is often offered making the classes at Orangetheory open to almost anyone no matter your level of fitness. 

BASE. PUSH. ALL OUT.
When you first hop on your treadmill, you’ll notice a little chart on the top, denoting your Base Pace, Push Pace or All Out depending on the category you fall into — Power Walker, Jogger, Runner.
Revisiting modifications for a moment, I really love the fact that OTF offers an option for non-runners. I think a lot of people can easily be discouraged by the fact that they are not a runner, so this Power Walker category is super fitness-friendly to all populations. Power Walkers can make their treadmill block more challenging by revving up that incline! 😉

True to the name, the studio is well…Orange!
Speaking of the studio itself, its incredibly clean, nicely air conditioned & well laid out with plenty of space to perform your strength exercises on the floor. 

there’s plenty of lockers to store your stuff + cubby’s on the opposite wall. There are also 2 showers if you need to shower off afterwards to get back to work or meet up with friends. 

If your looking for a new & fun, get in & get out, workout to push you & produce changes in your body, Orangetheory Fitness will no doubt do just that! The classes are fun & super motivating as you sweat it up to upbeat music along with the guidance of your coach! There’s no reason not to try it out considering your first class is FREE! 😉  xx

Much Love, Health & Happiness.