**I was compensated for my membership at Orangetheory Fitness however all opinions are my own**
My name is Lisa and I’m addicted to Orangetheory Fitness.
My obsession with Orangetheory began after a full night of Black Friday shopping the day after Thanksgiving. On a whim I decided to pop in for an 8:45 am class with Kenpo Mendoza at the Gilbert studio.
As an endurance runner I was a little skeptical (and intimidated by the water row) but after 10 minutes into class I was hooked. Traditionally, I am not a fitness class person but Orangetheory draws you in by keeping the music pumping, upbeat instructors and high spirited classmates. This class was an extra bonus as we were joined by Arizona Orangetheory Fitness owner Travis Renner and local radio personality Johnjay Van Es. Travis was kind enough to purchase #Loveup shirts for the ENTIRE class to help raise money for the JohnJay and Rich Care for Kids Foundation!
But back to the class…after 60 heart-pounding, sweat-dripping minutes I couldn’t wait to go back again! I “officially” started my membership on January 9th and participated in their weight loss challenge. Not only does Orangetheory provide you with a killer workout but throughout the year provide fun challenges to keep things interesting. All participants in the challenge received a nutrition plan that was easy peasy to follow. No counting macros here!
The first studio opened it’s doors in Ft. Lauderdale, FL in 2010 by physiologist and fitness-enthusiast Ellen Latham, M.S. According to their website, Orangetheory is a 60-minute, five-zone, interval-based workout specifically designed to push your heart rate to the desired “orange” zone, which equates to 84 percent or higher of your individual maximum heart rate. Participants have the option to wear a chest or wrist heart rate monitor throughout the class and strive to spend 12-20 minutes maxing out their heart rate while utilizing treadmills, water rowing machines, free weights, TRX bands, Bosu balls and bodyweight exercises.
We often hear that while it is called Orangetheory Fitness the premise is to have 25 minutes or more in the GREEN or “fat-burning” zone and 12-20 minutes in the ORANGE thus creating up to a 36-hour after burn effect.
If you go you’ll hear these terms::
- Base/Zone 3: Based on your level of fitness, base pace will allow for conversation during the workout and your heart rate should remain in the green.
- Push/Zone 4: Slightly more challenging than base, you’ll likely hit the orange in a push pace.
- All Out/Zone 5: Time to give it all you’ve got! Short burts (aka sprints) are followed by an active recovery so turn it up!
- Splat Points: Total number of minutes spent in the orange and red zones.
- BPM: Heart rate.
- OTBeat Board: Monitors that are displayed around the studio featuring everyone’s statistics, including his or her BPM, estimated calories burned and splat points.
So what have my results been? In just 12 weeks I lost 11 lbs, 4.5% body fat, 6 inches overall and 2 clothing sizes! Personally, I’ve never had a workout work so effectively and so quickly PLUS be so FUN as my time at Orangetheory! In addition, to physical improvement my base, push and all out paces have all increased as well as my strength!
Thanks Orangetheory for helping me lead a healthier lifestyle!
