Orange Theory | #SweatDate
- Grace
- Dec 15, 2016
- 4 min read
Orange Theory offers a 60-minute workout that incorporates high intensity intervals of cardio and strength training. The class is split with thirty minutes on the treadmill (or bike if you are looking to go light on your knees) rocking intervals of mixed sprints on hills and flat roads and then flips you to the strength and conditioning segment where you spend the remaining thirty minutes jumping back and forth between intervals on the rowing machine and weighted exercises. It may sound confusing, but it really makes a ton of sense.
Beside the workout itself, the unique part of Orange Theory is their heart rate monitors and zone tracking. Upon checking in you will be issued a chest strap heart rate monitor. You won’t even remember you are wearing it after ten seconds, so be sure to not walk out with it. The principal behind heart rate monitoring is to show you, quantitatively, how hard you are working and how much harder (or lighter) you should be. The instructor will give you your targets between your personalized heart rate zones and you have to do the rest. Your heart rate is displayed live, on screens throughout the class studio so you can see quickly where you are. Keep your heart rate in the key zones to maximize metabolic burn. The whole point is to increase energy, get visible results and burn more calories, even after leaving the studio. That is what they call the Orange Effect!
Today I began my workout on the rowing machines. Orange theory uses water resistance rowing machines which feel very different compared to the regular wind coil resistance machines. Not only do they feel different, but they look cool - and for people easily distracted like me, it is a welcomed mental diversion to watch the water swirl around.
(watch the video below to see the workout)
We were given a distance to row and then instructed to run over to the strength area of the studio. Once in the weights section, our instructor walked us through and demonstrated the lifting portion of the day utilizing free weights, TRX bands and bodyweight movements. Everyone there was able to customize their own difficulty by selecting the weight or modification appropriate to their fitness level. Remember, your heart rate monitor is there to keep you accountable! With a quick glance up at the screens I often found myself under-training and needing to push it even harder or faster. The 30 minutes of rowing and strength training flew by as we did multiple sets changing up the lifts each round.
Having a personalized workout while maintaining accountability WITHOUT having a trainer yell at you like a drill sergeant is a refreshingly unique experience. It became very easy to mentally zone out and focus on my sets without harsh solicitation from the instructor. I may have done this a little TOO much because I realized I missed my cues a few times.
After the strength portion came the endurance and cardio. We quickly wiped down the machines before switching with the other half of the class that was on the treadmills. Everyone does this at the same time, and Orange Theory instructors orchestrate it amazingly. With almost no down time, I was up on my treadmill running. We were increasing and decreasing our speed and our incline to simulate hills, sprints, slow climbs and recoveries. The constant changeups solved one of the biggest problems I have with treadmills - boredom. I am almost exclusively and outside runner and yet I didn’t notice ever being bored with this Orange Theory run. At the end of the 30 minutes of running, we completed a quick stretch segment in the lifting area and that was it.
Now this is pretty unusual for me since I “squirrel” pretty frequently but I didn’t really notice who was working out around me. I can tell you nobody was grunting or acting macho, but I could not say if they were super elite athletes or just beginners. This is probably another one of the great things about Orange Theory Fitness. You WILL fit in. You WILL get an amazing workout without feeling externally pressured. This should not take any credit away from the instructors though! Today’s workout was with Halle and she was the perfect blend between being a fitness badass and a therapist. She educated us on every move and guided us seamlessly throughout the class. Even though her instructions were for everyone, it felt like she was always talking directly to me.
After 60 minutes, I was spent. Orange Theory was everything that it advertised itself to be and I actually loved it. Although it is a national franchise, this Orange Theory has everything you would want in a boutique experience. With three other locations in Charlotte plus additional franchises in the Charlotte area, there are plenty of locations to find the one most convenient for you. From the staff knowing everyone by name to just the overall community feel, Orange Theory is the real deal.
Classes Offered
Orange 60
Skill Level
Beginner to advanced; All Levels
Class Size
Medium Class Size
Duration
60 Minutes
Equipment Needed / Attire
A water bottle and comfortable workout clothes you can sweat in.
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