Everything You Need to Know About OrangeTheory Fitness

Workout trends come and go, or they come and become phenomenons. Think SoulCycle—the company has taken over city after city with their pulse-pumping cycling classes and positive mantras.

One of the most recent additions to the land of workout classes is OrangeTheory Fitness. The company describes its 60-minute workout classes as “a science-based, technology-tracked, coach-inspired group workout designed to produce results from the inside out.” But what exactly does an OrangeTheory class entail?

I’ve been an avid OrangeTheory-goer for about a year now, and I’m still as obsessed with it as I was when I first joined. I’ve even managed to get several of my friends hooked on it! I would described it as 60 minutes of nonstop movement.

The workout is divided into three main stations: the treadmill, the rower, and the floor. There are “2G” and “3G” classes, where 2G incorporates the rower into either the treadmill or floor portion of the workout, while the 3G gives the rower its own “block”.

Overwhelmed already? Don’t worry, I was too at first. The most important thing to know about OrangeTheory is that they have a LOT of phrases. However, after two classes, you’re basically fluent in “OTF language,” so worry not!

On the treadmill, you focus on three different paces: base pace, push pace, and all-out. The coaches at every studio are always willing to describe the differences and will yell out sayings such as, “Okay, time for a one-minute push!” throughout workouts. Everyone is different with their pace, so don’t feel like you need to be an amazing runner to go to a class (because I’m definitely not).

Every OrangeTheory workout is centered around “heart rate zones” and is designed to help you to burn as many calories as possible. Participants wear heart rate monitors (Fitbit’s and Apple watches work too!), and each heart rate falls into a color category: gray, blue, green, orange, and red.

So why is it called OrangeTheory? The goal is to spend as much time in the “orange zone” as possible. Every minute in the orange or red zones earns you a “splat point”, and if you get over 12 splat points in a workout, you’ll burn calories for the next 32 hours! Pretty crazy, I know.

But does the workout actually work? Personally, I have seen changes in my strength and endurance since starting OrangeTheory. Now, I can actually run for more than 10 minutes and lift weights heavier than 12 pounds—but the classes have NOT gotten easier!

I also love how every time I walk in, I have no idea what the workout will be like because each one is so different. It’s impossible to get bored of going! However, even more so than my physical changes, my mentality has changed as well. The motivation each coach gives during each class has completely changed my mindset… and not just in the gym.

While definitely pricey, especially with a college student budget, I wholeheartedly think OrangeTheory is worth it. Your first class is free, and the second one is only $12, so it’s definitely worth it to go at least twice! The studio closest to Elon’s campus is located in Greensboro, and they love seeing students there. Just give it a chance, and maybe you’ll become as obsessed with it as I am!