Welcome to my second annual #StyleScribeWellnessWeek! I’m so excited to bring some brand new fitness, food and wellness content to you, in hopes it inspires and motivates you to start and stick to your goals this new year. Every single day this week (including Saturday and Sunday) I’ll be sharing something new – from recipes I recommend to the very best in activewear at the moment! Today, however, I want to address a question I have received a bunch over the last couple of months. As most of you know, I was addicted to spin class for a reeeeeally long time! I absolutely LOVE FlyWheel classes and went 3-4 times a week for over two years. In the last five or so months, however, I was really craving a change. And I think my body was too! As with any workout, your body can get used to doing the same exercises over and over which ends up making them less effective in the long run. I think it is important to mix things up every once in awhile to keep your body guessing! I also had been wanting to get more into running, and I’d heard Orange Theory incorporates that.
WHAT IS ORANGE THEORY?
My first Orange Theory class had me a little confused, so I wanted to do a basic rundown on what it is here for those of you new to it too! You can read about the science behind it here, but basically the goal of each class is to get your heart rate in the Orange zone for a minimum of 12 minutes to maximize the afterburn (when your body continues to burn calories long after a workout!). In order to monitor your heart rate (and to see your score during/after class) you need to rent or purchase one of Orange Theory’s heart rate monitors. So worth it to know those numbers!! Your “splat points” are the number of minutes you spent in the Orange or Red zones. The Grey zone is very light activity, Blue is a warm up, Green is challenging but doable, Orange is uncomfortable, and Red is giving your all out effort.
See below for a look at my Orange Theory “Beat Reports” from previous classes – one of these reports is emailed to you following each class so you can see your total scores, calories burned, etc. It’s so helpful to track your progress and it’s fun to share too! As you can see, I try REALLY hard in these classes – I’m in the Red zone a lot!
WHAT IS INVOLVED AND WHY I LOVE IT
After just one Orange Theory class, I knew it was such a good one for me personally. The class mixes work on a treadmill, on a rower and in a weight room area. Every day is different, with some days being heavy endurance days (longer time on the treadmill and rower), heavy power (heavy weights and short, fast pushes in on the rower/treadmill), tornados (short, fast spurts in each section), etc. I love the variety and it truly is such an amazing full body workout! I swear I can see my abs looking more defined the very next day – it’s nuts. It’s been a great addition to my fitness routine along with BBG! While there is a weight section in Orange Theory, it’s definitely not as challenging as my BBG resistance workouts – and my BBG resistance workouts are never enough cardio for me… so the combo of the two has been fantastic!
Okay, I know that all sounds super intense… BUT it really is designed for people at all workout levels. You can take it at your own pace, and there are modifications and levels for each section you can do. For example, you are given three options on the treadmill: walk (base speed of 3.5-4.5 mph), jog (base speed of 4.5-5.5 mph) or run (base speed of 5.5-6.5+ mph). If you choose to walk, instead of increasing your speed the instructor will ask you to increase your incline. If you’re a jogger or a runner, you will be doing pushes and sprints that are 1-2+ full points over your “base speed”.
I love getting outside and going on walks + runs, but I’m not nearly as good at pushing myself when I’m on my own. In Orange Theory the pressure of the score, teacher and other people in class whip me into shape and make me work my hardest! I never walk out of that class with regret. In addition to that, Orange Theory has given me the confidence and motivation to try harder when I do run by myself. I’m now able to run a full hour without a break! I don’t think I can say I’ve ever done that before this winter. I’ll share more on my fitness schedule Friday, but I do the three required BBG resistance workouts each week, plus a minimum of two Orange Theory classes each week. Since I usually work out six days a week, I’ve lately been doing a long run outside for that last workout day to mix things up… but it’s nice to have Orange Theory as a backup if the weather is bad!
Before you ask, yes I have tried Barry’s Bootcamp! But what I love about Orange Theory is what I loved about FlyWheel: being able to see my progress throughout class and after class in terms of calories burned, heart rate, etc. As a competitive person (with myself and others!), I LOVE seeing my score and pushing myself. I take a look every few minutes at the screen in Orange Theory to see how many calories I’ve already burned and how many splat points I’ve accumulated, and it motivates me to work even harder for the remainder of class!
PS // Here’s a PRO tip: Get there early and try to be on the treadmill for the first block! I’ve found my scores are always better when I start on the treadmill, as it provides a good full-body warm up. Also, if you want to increase your scores, choose to jog or run over speed walking!
VEST (more sizes here!) // LONG-SLEEVE TEE // SPORTS BRA (also available here!) // LEGGINGS (also available here!) // SNEAKERS
I’ve been wanting to try Orange Theory! So this is good info!
http://www.rdsobsessions.com
I’d love to try Orange Theory, I agree it’s good to mix things up! Currently on Week 10 of BBG but will probably do something else after!
Olga
http://www.littlethingsolga.com
I love your Wellness Week posts! I did Orange Theory for about 6 months and loved it and can’t wait to start back (I’m pregnant). I always tried to start on the treadmill first as well. It definitely keeps your heartrate up. They also do lots of challenges through out the year (Hell Week during Halloween– so hard but amazing) that really gets the competitive juices flowing.
I love OTF I did it for about 2 years and did it through my whole 5th pregnancy… they would my modifications for me and I just listened to my body. I was still running at lifting at 40 weeks and 4 days. I just had to being tums to do the rowers Ha!
This came in one of my news feeds. I have been a Orange Theory member for almost a year now and love it. I had a personal trainer before and wasn’t getting any results and needed something to keep more motivated. Doing OTF and also having a Peloton bike helps in mixing it up.
I wonder if this will be good fir me, I am 55, it sounds intense. I am in good shape! I’ll try it.
Kattia,
Before you decide whether or not this is a good fit for you, you’re going to want to try out a class. The first one is free… you’ll know during that class if Orange Theory is for you. I’m 45 and i have lost 35-40 pounds since I’ve been a member. I’m in great shape. My mother is 65 with Rheumatoid arthritis and hasn’t stopped going since she joined several months ago. Her symptoms and pain have decreased immensely due to being in better shape and eating healthy. If you have any orthopedic issues there are several options that the coaches will show you and go over so you have a safe and effective workout. The workouts are different every day, so you never plateau. What’s even better, you never feel alone. You are part of a family that will celebrate your victories with… big or small. Try it and let us know how you did! P.S. I’ve had my life changed so much by my experience at Orange Theory, I became a coach to pay it forward to others. ;)
Hi Kattia, I’ve been at OTF for 4 years. I am 60 years young! I am more overall fit now than when in my 40s when I was mainly just running. I learned to do some modifications especially when first starting. I love OTF!
I started last March at 66 and had not exercised in years. Turned 67 in October and still going to OTF twice a week
I love Orange Theory…get in and out! I love being able to work hard with a group of people in the instructor led environment. I seem to work harder.
I am a 60 year old woman that has never worked out. When the opening of a new OTF down the street coincided with my daughter’s deployment to Afghanistan I decided to dedicate an improvement in my well being as a way to honor her commitment to our country. I was so nervous but long story short, a year later, I’m rocking the workouts! She’s safely home and I am truly fit! It lowered my BP to a perfect rate as well. You work out at YOUR pace. There are days when I’m working next to a competitive triathelte! I reach my goals just like he does with high fives all around. The coaches are phenomenal and the best part is when they notice your improvment at a certain excersize and they acknowledge it. They truly want you to be the best you can be. I love OTF!
I agree with all of you, OTF is absolutely incredible – I’ve been a member for six months at a new location near my home. I’m a runner and since joining, my race times have all
improved, and I’ve become completely addicted (I get depressed when I can’t go and need a rest day).
So, I hope it’s ok if I ask Guy a question related to coaching?
I read your comment that you became a coach after being a member- that’s really cool. I’ve thought about pursing OTF coaching as well, and was wondering if you had any advice? I’m not currently a CPT, but I guess that’s the direction I need to go in first. I appreciate any comments :)
Thanks!
Hi Jennifer,
To be a coach at OTF you need to have a fitness certification of some kind… group fitness, CPT, etc. NASM has several to choose from and that always have specials. Hope you can join the family soon. OTF4Ever!
I signed up for Orange Theory after trying a few free classes. Shortly after I had an Orth doc tell me to stop, thst it was WAY too much impact for my knees. I talked to the OT manager about it and she proceeded to srgue with me, tell me my doctor was wrong, and made me jump through hoops to cancel my subscription for the next month. I did pay full price for the first month and didnt get to use it.
Orangetheory changed my entire life. Their slogan “more life” is exactly what it gave me. I was 200lbs at 5’3″ and have lost 50lbs in over a year by going three times a week. I have bad knees and there are LOW IMPACT rowers and options in the weight room. I’ve never felt stronger.