Orangetheory Fitness officially became a brand back in 2010 thanks to creator Ellen Latham. Latham attended the University of Buffalo where she received two degrees in physiology and set out to design a workout that would burn the most calories and help people break through a weight loss plateau. At first, Latham called it “The Ultimate Workout” that would be able to not only burn calories while working out, but also afterward when resting.
Eventually, Latham would open up several spots that focused on this interval training and set out on being a global brand. Now, there are Orangetheory Fitness locations in just about every state, with more than 400 businesses around the world. It has been quite the growth for a company that started just a few years ago in Florida and has become instantly recognizable in the fitness world. Let’s take a look at how Orangetheory Fitness operates, and see if it might work for your weight loss plan.
Celebrities That Use Orangetheory Fitness
While your friends might suggest some workout plans, it’s always nice to hear that celebrities would work out with a program, especially professional athletes. Let’s take a look at some of the celebrities that have signed up with Orangetheory.
T-Pain – Florida based rapper T-Pain signed up with Orangetheory back in 2015 along with his wife. He said that it wasn’t easy and was sporting a lot of sweat after his first workout, but said that it was a great way to burn calories.
Shawn Johnson – Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson won a gold medal and a trio of silver medals at the 2008 Summer Olympics. To get back into shape after retirement, Johnson started attending Orangetheory and has been spotted at a few of the gyms around the United States.
Manny Ramirez – One of the biggest personalities in baseball history, Manny Ramirez took his 555 career home runs to Orangetheory to workout. He might be playing overseas right now, but while he was a coach with the Chicago Cubs he could be seen hitting up some of the gyms.
Justin Tucker – Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker is one of the most accurate in NFL history, and loves staying in great shape. Tucker became a spokesman for Orangetheory in 2015 and is in love with the program. You can even spot him on some of the advertisements around Orangetheory in the United States.
An Orangetheory Workout
The workout that Orangetheory promotes lasts for just one hour, but claims that the calorie burning and energy boost that you get from it lasts for 36 hours. It has been estimated in studies that participants in an Orangetheory workout will burn between 500 to 1,000 calories in the 60 minute workout due to the Excess Post-Exercise Oxygen Consumption plan. To do this, strength training and cardio are combined for maximum results, and Orangetheory says that you can lose three to five pounds per week, which is higher than the standard one to two we hear.
Each Orangetheory location has a dozen treadmills, suspension units and rowing machines each while also bringing in free weights and benches. So using all of this equipment, what does the 60 minute workout consist of exactly? There are two groups that split up, with half getting on the treadmill and the other half getting on the rowing machines.
If you don’t like treadmills, then you can hit up the exercise bikes instead, as it’s up to you. The cardio portion lasts for about 28 minutes, then you get a couple of minutes to recover. After that, you hit the weight room where you combine strength training exercises that include TRX straps, dumbbells and the Ab Dolly. You are able to pace yourself depending on your fitness level, and you will have to hit three different levels.
Most people would probably get tired of doing the same workouts over and over, which is perhaps why Orangetheory has grown in popularity so quickly, as they avoid repetitiveness. The workouts change on a daily basis and some classes also offer focuses on different aspects if you are looking to build more cardio endurance or build strength. There are also extended classes with three groups if you are so inclined.
The Cost
Now the biggest part of any workout plan for some people is the cost. We will say straight away that Orangetheory isn’t exactly the most affordable program out there, but it also isn’t as expensive as another popular plan; SoulCycle. Here are the three plans that you can choose from with Orangetheory, none of which are contract plans meaning that you go month to month and can cancel anytime:
Orange Basic – Includes four sessions per month, costing $59 for an average of $14.75 per session. Additional classes can be purchased at $14 each with the Basic plan.
Orange Elite – The amount of classes doubles to eight per month, costing $99 for an average of $12.38 per session. Additional classes can be purchased at $12 each with the Elite plan.
Orange Premier – This is the best plan if you plan on working out on a near daily basis, as you are able to have unlimited sessions each month. This plan costs $159 per month, meaning that the average cost per session is up to you. However, this is not available in all states.
If you are lucky enough to work for a company that has a high focus on employee fitness, then you might also have your company check into corporate memberships for the entire work staff. There are large discounts for signing up with the corporate membership, though you have to contact Orangetheory on a corporate level instead of local.
Is Orangetheory for Everyone?
Some of the trendier workout plans can be intimidating for people that try it out the first time. Thankfully that hasn’t been the case for Orangetheory, which adds to its popularity. All fitness levels are encouraged and there are different forms of exercises that are used in case you aren’t an advanced fitness level. You will also wear a heart rate monitor while working out, so that you know if you need to relax a bit or push harder.
There are trainers in the Orangetheory classes, but they aren’t often yelling at your face to keep pushing harder, which is appealing to some people. With everyone focusing on themselves to get into the heart rate zones, you don’t have to worry about people staring at you, especially with minimal breaks. You’ll also find a locker room and showers at each Orangetheory, so you can feel safe that your belongings are secure.
What Are the Negatives?
Outside of the price that can be a bit high if you don’t have the means, there aren’t too many negatives with Orangetheory. It’s a fairly safe workout that monitors your heart rate, so that you aren’t overdoing it. If there has been one big negative for people, it has been the high impact workouts on the treadmill, but that can easily be remedied by using the cycle or elliptical machine instead.
Beginners might have a little trouble finding their way between the stations at first, but the trainers will be there to point you in the right direction. If you’re not used to pushing yourself in a cardio setting, you might not enjoy it at first, but your body will get used to it. Overall, the cons aren’t very glaring for Orangetheory.
Summing it Up
Although there are more than 400 Orangetheory locations around the world, it can be a bit difficult to find one unless you are living near a bigger city. You’re guaranteed to be getting a good workout in your 60 minutes, though it can also end up being a bit costly, especially if you want unlimited sessions. If you can get past the price tag, then it’s certainly something worth trying out at least once, as free intro sessions are typically offered.
In terms of promoting weight loss, torching calories is the most important part of dropping pounds, which is Orangetheory’s big focus. Each club usually has weight loss competitions with prizes, which can be a big motivator. If you plan on going, make sure to arrive early so that you can get the layout of the gym and get fitted for the heart monitor you’ll be wearing. The orange-lit rooms can also get a bit warm, so make sure that you’re ready to sweat, bringing a lot of water.