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Hey ya’ll! So, a few weeks ago I shared in my Instagram Stories that I joined Orange Theory Fitness! And I wanted to give you a little update since I have finished my first 10 workouts and had a lot of questions about it! This isn’t a sponsored post. I just wanted to share my experience with you because I had wanted to know more about it for so long!
First of all, this has been a long time in the making for a couple of reasons.
- The pounds keep slowly piling on and that has been a huge source of frustration for me over the past few years. I am sure that I am not the only one who deals with this especially as we get older. I realize that every time I have had success losing weight since having kids it has involved some serious workouts. I have dabbled in every possible diet from Keto to Intermittent Fasting to Whole 30 and counting calories and it always works great for a few weeks and then I fall off the wagon.
- I have wanted to join Orange Theory specifically for like 6 years but have never lived near one until now! They opened one in Overland Park, Kansas right before we moved to Illinois where there wasn’t one. Then we moved to California and again the nearest one was 45 minute away. Now in Dothan, Alabama I have one 3 miles from my house! I have watched so many friends fall in love with this place over the years and I knew that it was going to be a good fit for me and that enthusiasm is half the battle!
About Orange Theory
So, I am loving it so far! Before I go into the 10 reasons why I do want to share a little more about Orange Theory in general. Each day you can select from several different time slots and some in for your workout. It’s not a group class like Zumba or one where you are all lined up watched an instructor. There are three sections: treadmill, rower and weight room floor. You move around between the three for the duration with easy to follow commands from your coach! Your heart rate is monitored and big TV screens in the room show you what zone you are in, your calorie burn and splat points. More about that later!
Orange Theory is a science-backed, technology-tracked, coach-inspired group workout designed to produce results from the inside out. The hardest part of our workouts is showing up – we make it simple for you to push yourself, be your personal best and give you more. MORE results. MORE confidence. MORE Life. More than a gym. Because you shouldn’t live to exercise. You should exercise to live. “orangetheoryfitness.com
Now, I am not an expert. Obviously I just finished my 10th workout but for me that is when I sometimes start to be discouraged. Today I actually did my 11th but I started this post a couple of days ago. It’s my 4th week and I am having a great time and here is why! PS. This is my report after my 10th workout. 5148 calories you guys! That is almost 2 pounds. And guess what. I haven’t lost any weight yet. And that is ok! I feel stronger and it motivates me to eat better and I know that soon it will start coming off.
#1 The Calorie Burn
You can’t beat the bang for the time. With the classes being 1 hour you know that you are going to burn. Half the battle is getting there and I like to know that once I do I can make the most of it. I burn between 500 and 600 calories per hour workout. I am a runner at heart and when I run hard my average burn is about 100 calories /10 minutes. This is right on par with my Orange Theory burn and the classes are so much more fun and a better full body workout too!
#2 The Statistics and Reports
It may sound silly but this is why I knew I was going to love it! That screen in my photo up there. I get that summary and my report for the day in an email right after class. I can also go back into my app and look at it. I am so competitive by nature, even with myself, so this is such a motivator for me! You earn splat points during each workout which basically tell how many minutes you were in the highest two heart rate zones. They call it a SPLAT POINT because it’s sound of a fat cell exploding. LOL. As long as you have 12 or more per workout you attain your prime calorie burn. You do have to buy a heart rate monitor from them when you join to sync with their system. I believe they start at $59ish.
#3 The Mix of People
Ok, so I expected to see a bunch of already fit women in luxury yoga pants living their best list. I thought I would be an odd ball out. I mean back in the day I felt more like them but these days my Lululemon yoga pants are so tight the little circle looks like a pressed penny you get at a theme park. The struggle is real! But to my surprise it was anything but! The regular 60 min classes max out at 24 people Typically there are 15-24 and it is such a mix of people – at least at the Dothan one! Most often it’s maybe 65% women and 35% men. There are a few college kids and a few senior citizens. There are a handful of athletes. A few people are just stating their fitness journey. A lady who just came back from having a baby. And a few women just like me. I like to think I am athletic but out of shape but willing to work!
#4 The Accountability
Let’s talk money. Monthly memberships at mine range from $59/month to $159 a month. And while it is and investment they are so confident in the process that you do NOT have to sign a long term contract. This is an important thing for me. When I have joined a big box gym for a lot less in the past I didn’t feel invested. It was easier to make excuses. Plus, you sign up for classes in advance and if you cancel the day off you have to pay $12. You might be thinking NOT FAIR but I experience it first hand this morning when I almost didn’t go. It was one of those days but I made it there with a minute to spare and that made all of the difference!
#5 It’s Never The Same
Yes, the Orange Theory workouts are never the same! All of the branches use the same workout developed by corporate each day and they are always different. I love not psyching myself out in advance. You usually spend about equal time one the weights / rower and then on the treadmill. The fresh workouts daily make it go by so fast! The coach give you a quick overview ( it’s so easy to follow along) and then you get to work. They may be telling you to up your speed or incline every minute on the treadmill or setting you on autopilot with some weight and TRX bands. There is a screen in the weight area too that always tells you what you should be doing. They also have theme weeks – like all out Mayhem this week which keep you on your toes!
#6 You Can Go At Your Own Pace
Piggybacking off the last point. Every exercise can be modified and you set the tone with your pace or your weight. You might be thinking – treadmill! No I can’t run. Guess what? You don’t have too! They have levels and paces for power-walkers, joggers and runners. In the same 20 minute treadmill block you may have Jennie, the marathoner, running 5 minute miles while Beth power walks on an incline. This is something special! It is for everyone! I have already upped my base base a couple times and as I get stronger I can decide when and where to push myself more! If you are having doubt – YOU CAN DO THIS!
#7 The Community
I am not an extroverted happy-go-lucky workout gal. I like minding my own business and I loathe having to take group pictures for social media after my workout. The community feel that I have experienced so far has been really great! Just a high five here and a knuckles there. Everyone is working on their own and there isn’t time or a need to chat. Just a nice Good Job at the end! Last week I found myself stationed next to the same 20 something guy Tuesday and Thursday. We recognized each other and said hey and he gave me a fist bump after each workout block. Someone taking the time to do that meant a lot to this chubby old mom. And it made me work harder. I have been seeing the same faces and am excited to build some friendships!
#8 You Are Here Now
When I joined I filled out a short form and they greeted me and told me how to get started. I found my base pace and it’s all up from here. I have been to a couple other places in the past that focused on my past. One in particular had me bring in a photo of me at my “best” to use as a goal. Truth be told that is hardly attainable nor do I need to get there. At Orange Theory it’s like…. Here I am now. Let’s see where I can go! They even have benchmark days where you find your PR. No one cares that I ran a half marathon in 2 hours 3 years ago. They care that I ran a 9 minutes 30 second mile last week and they are building me up to beat that next time!
#9 You Can Go To Any Studio
With my membership I can work out at any Orange Theory. We have already had visitors in my classes over the past few weeks. This is awesome because we love to travel and I am looking forward to trying out some other studios around the USA!
#10 I Am Excited
That is whats most important to me. In my mind I have told myself that Orange Theory is what I need. I have built it up for myself for years. If only I had an Orange Theory to join, etc. Now, I know that is silly. But it’s about mindset for me and it took me a long time to get here and I have a new sense of excitement about this chapter!
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