It is my one year anniversary of working out at Orangetheory Fitness, so I thought I would share my thoughts & results in the interest of hopefully helping or encouraging someone out there. Apologies in advance for the long post.

My Background

I have been a lifelong runner. A decidedly average runner, but a runner nonetheless. I ran up until the day my doctor told me she no longer recommended it as a form of exercise when I was pregnant with my son. After he was born, I took my time getting back to running. I started slowww with my BOB jogging stroller and eventually worked my way up to running half marathons. I was nowhere near my previous paces and still had several extra pounds but I was happy & healthy. Fast forward to a couple of years later, I started to get the bug again to improve my race times and possibly crack my longstanding half marathon PR of 2:22.  I had a couple of friends in other cities that told me that Orangetheory Fitness (OTF) had helped them improve their times at nearly every distance.

I learned that Orangetheory had plans to open a location near me (to locate an OTF near you click here), so I jumped at the chance to sign up as a “founding member” but with all my excitement I knew it would be 5-6 months before I stepped foot into this location, but the seed was planted.

What Is Orangetheory

Orangetheory’s signature workout is a 60 minute class using heart rate monitors that has everyone’s individual heart rate projected onto a screen within color coded zones (the goal is to get 12 or more minutes (aka splat points) in the ‘orange’ zone).  The workout is split between treadmills, rowing machines and free weights, BOSU trainers, & TRX suspension training. It is a largely self-paced work out with each individual setting & controlling their own Base, Push, & All Out Paces.  Each day there is a different work with a focus on either endurance, strength, power, or some combination the the three called ESP. All OTF centers globally do the same work out each day, so you can easily discuss your workout with your other OTF friends that may attend class at other studio locations.

Why I Wanted to Try OTF

In anticipation of the workout I tried to put myself through interval paces on the treads at the gym, but admittedly fell back into my routine of steady state cardio. For me the biggest draw to OTF for me was A) coaching –I needed someone to put me through the paces and correct my form & B) the addition of strength/floor training but C) to finally be able to chat knowledgeably with my friends who were so obsessed with OTF!

My OTF Experience

I took my first OTF class on August 26, 2017 and immediately knew I would keep coming back.  I found the workout challenging, the coach motivating, the staff friendly, the clientele eager & positive.  As a runner, the treads were my happy place, while I found the floor to be particularly challenging for me. I was very weak in this area as this had never been a priority for me.  The fact that I was able to immediately recognize this made me want to get better. I immediately started to have Orangetheory-centric goals forming in my mind and it was my first class.

Goal Crushing

When I started OTF my paces on the treads were as follows: 5.8 base, 6.8 push, & 9 all out. My primary goal was NOT to lose weight but to GET FASTER. My mindset was to push my pace & challenge myself daily. I am now at a 7.3 base, 8.3-8.5 push, & 11-11.5 all out.

Now, did I lose weight in the process? Yes. In order to achieve my goals outside of OTF I wanted to fuel my body efficiently so I tried to really clean up my diet without being restrictive and by following an 80 20 rule. I eat really healthy and  clean 80% of the time and the other 20% of the time allows me to have a glass of rosé or go get ice cream with my son–this helps keep me sane.

Outside of OTF, I was able to PR in a range of distances including the the half marathon (2:10:11) & the 5K (26:19). Within OTF, my recent benchmark mile time was a 6:48. After a year of OTF I am ~40 pounds lighter, fitter, & faster and all that thanks to OTF & the motivating coaching. On the calendar I have the Cow Harbor 10k and I hope to PR this hilly course. I don’t have another half marathon on the books just yet, but my BIG goal is to run a sub 2 hour half marathon and I fully intend on continuing OTF to help me achieve it.

{Disclaimer} Please note that this post is entirely my own opinion & experience and in no way sponsored by Orangetheory. (In fact, I pay them!)