I love the enthusiastic, helpful coaches. I like the discipline of cardio, strength and balance training, which has helped me to get in shape. I like the variety of workouts and the opportunity to compete against my previous efforts. I find the app very helpful in tracking efforts and improvement.
I had two primary hesitations to joining OTF. Price & Time. I'm just a cheapskate - my other gym charges me ~$11 a month and I have access to all the weights, rowers, ellipticals, treadmills, etc. that I could possibly need. How much more value would I get from OTF? For time, my schedule's not extremely rigid, but an hour workout plus a 12-minute drive there and back put my normal lunchtime workout out of reach. I'm not a morning person and I didn't think it likely that I'd work out after work.
Fast-forward 5 months past my stylist's insistence that I give it a try (and earn her $100) and I couldn't be happier. I can afford the membership fee - that was never really an issue. I do find that I get ample value for my membership fee. I love the workout varieties; I push myself harder (am pushed...) to do more with greater intensity than I ever did working out by myself. As for time - my favorite class is the 6:15am class. I never would have thought that...I'm not much of a morning person. I wake up at 5, make some coffee, feed the animals, drink some water, do my bible-study, and am ready to leave by around 6. I'm back home by 7:30 and can get showered up and to the office (ok...a room in my house) by around 8 - and feel amazing the rest of the day.
I don't have any hesitation recommending OTF - and do so already.
I've been a member for 7+ yrs. Love the workout blah blah... Same stuff. But this location in particular, has an amazing head coach. How does Coach Austin do it? How is he able to make each and everyone of all fitness level feel like we can, we are doing a great job!?! I just love listening to him interact with all the members. I love listening to him push us on the mic. I have to drive 2x the distance to attend his class and he is worth it!!
Kayde, the coach was fantastic. Heather was so kind and informative. The workout was interesting and I liked that you could push yourself but still set your own pace.
I love how even after 4 years the workouts are still challenging to me. I have seen such positive changes in my body. More importantly, Orangetheory gives me the confidence to overcome anything life throws my way!
The workout is fun and efficient. The workouts are always a challenge, yet able to modify if I'm having an off day. Great coaches make a huge difference.
I joined Orangetheory to add variety to my rote workout routine. I work out 4'ish times per week and have just stagnated. I didn't really push myself that hard and the variety just wasn't something I had the time nor talent to create. So far - after 4 workouts - I really enjoy it. I'm definitely pushed beyond what I'd normally do on my own, I don't get bored, and love the fact that I don't have to think about what I'm going to do that day. I'm still a member at my other gym. I will supplement my OT workouts with some heavier lifting days and "maintenance" cardio, but so far, OT has given me exactly what I've been looking for.
Why didn't I give it a 10:
1) It's loud. My watch gives me decibel warnings every time I'm in class. I thought about bringing ear-plugs, but then I don't think I'd be able to hear instructions from the coach. I'm worried about long-term damage to my hearing:
https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/hearing_loss/what_noises_cause_hearing_loss.html
2) Each of the coaches I've met have all been great - but for newer people they talk so fast that I have trouble comprehending what I'm supposed to do. Today, for example, I was totally lost on the treadmill/rower - I had no idea I was supposed to go from the treadmill to the rower...I just copied the girl next to me. I did tell a coach, "I think I missed the instructions." - He just told me that I was supposed to row 10 times - he was busy calling out times for the floor people. So I just kept copying the girl next to me...At the end of that block - I saw a piece of paper on the treadmill with instructions. That would've been nice to see at T=0 instead of T+20.
There are two types of people in this world. Or, possibly a few more than two. Actually, there are probably like 5 or 6 types of people. However, for this review, I am going to discuss the two most common types of humans: those that like to work out and those that don’t.
I fall in the latter designation. The issue is that my body likes me to exercise but my brain loathes the activity. In order to combat this cognitive dissonance, I have to overshoot the exercise part and focus on the post-workout happy feelings. In grade school, this was referred to as a “natural high”. And since I promised my 2nd grade teacher I wouldn’t use drugs, I am all about the natural high. Orangetheory offers the most effective and least sucky fitness experience I have found to date. Plus, the orange lights give the gray in my beard a sheen unparalleled in conventional illumination.
In closing, despite my natural aversion to elective physical activity, I love Orangetheory. It keeps me mentally sharp and physically robust. I mean, let’s be honest. Out-of-shape Sean is an objective 6 out of 10 at best, even grading on a curve. Orangetheory Sean is a strong 6.75, possibly even a 7 on a good hair day.
Love how everything is tracked with the heart monitor. Instructor led class allows quick activities within a one hour time period. The time is used very strategically