A little back story on me. I have been athletic pretty much my whole life. I have always been a runner, I have always enjoyed working out. I can say I think I have been a routine runner since 2006. Then I started doing army stuff in 2013, and my fitness level went to another level. I wanted to beat the boys, so I started running log distance, and doing a ton of body weight exercises.Long story short I had some health issues in 2016 and I stopped running distance because one of my knees killed, and with one of my health issues I lost so much weight I stopped caring about what I ate because I could not gain weight for the life of me (to the point where it hurt to sit down). Flash forward to 2019, I am on my deployment, the thought of working out exhausted me, and my horrible diet caught up to be about 20 extra pounds.
I tried just about EVERYTHING to get myself back into a fitness routine. I did not even have a goal, I just wanted to feel healthy/fit again. I tried to run again (my knee still killed), I tried getting into weight lifting (I gained a ton of muscle, but was not losing any weight), I tried spin class (I hated it), I tried BBG (I could not even get myself into the gym I hated it so much).
I get home and my mom signed me up to go to an Orangetheory class with her. I was hooked!
What is Orangetheory?
Their motto is "Run, row, lift". You run/walk on a treadmill, row on a row machine, and do circuit training (abs, arms, legs). They also say it is science based, so you will burn calories even after the class (super hitt type cardio). You also have a heart rate monitor, so you can see if you are pushing yourself too hard, or not enough. Which is nice because another thing was I was getting frustrated that I was not as good as I once was. Then at the end of the class it sends you how far you went, and how many calories you burned. You are never on anything long enough to get bored.
Do you like it?
This is the first workout I have done since college that I like. In fact I LOVE it. It is super self paced. I have even gotten back into speed training (which I NEVER thought was even possible with my knee) In fact I think my knee hurt for so long because I was going the same pace. My knee, for the most part, feels fine now!
Have you noticed a change?
I feel less fluffy and more tone from this. I have been doing this for 4 months now, and I love how it makes me feel happy after the class, and I already feel healthier. In fact I ate something the other day where I was just so incredibly bloated, and 20 minutes into the class I felt a million times better. I am not saying it is magic (the class kicks your butt), but I love how it makes me feel.
How much does it cost?
It depends what area you are in. I do the 8 classes a month. In Michigan it was 65 dollars a month, Downtown D.C. it was 165 a month, and DC suburbs it is 99 a month.
Can I do it if I am new to working out?
Yes! If you are a walker you can do it. If you are an ex athlete you can do it. Seriously anyone can do this class and get results.
How do you stay motivated to go?
Remember? I only go twice a week! I need to start putting a long run in there, but I am giving myself grace and just making myself go twice a week. And I also do a strength training day once a week because #abs #shoulders.
Do you feel like you will get bored with the Orangetheory Workouts?
They are designed where you will never do the same workout twice! Which I agree, I have not done the same one twice! Some days focus on going longer distances, and some days you are at each station for like 3 minutes at a time and rotate. Also I normally would do a rotation of running and circuits. Rowing is kind of new for me though, but it is a fun way to get cardio in.
What if you can not do something?
I would talk to the coach, they understand, but also if you can not do something (circuit wise) you can skip it or do your own thing. I went to the Beta store a couple of times (I did not like it so I switched places) and they had some weird things, and I just substituted them for something else.
Do you get stronger from this class?
It is not a "lifting class" I would say you weight train for sure. People that worry about getting too big, this is a good class for you. You do enough weights to keep your body burning for longer, but I do not see this being a class where you "get big".
What shoes do you wear?
Brooks! I love brooks shoes. In fact I am getting these shoes: Ice Cream. I think they are so fun, and I ONLY wear them to run or OrangeThoery. I have better runner friends and they all agree brooks ghost are the best. Yes the are ugly but you knees and feet will love you.
Why do you stay with OrangeTheory?
1. My body loves for me to run. I get my best results from running. (and a healthy diet)2. It is only an hour a day. 3. I can go only twice a week and see results. 4. I feel AMAZING after the class. This class seriously made me feel like myself again.
