So, I have drank the orange Kool-Aid. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, I’m sure you’ve heard of Orangetheory Fitness. They are popping up all over Indy. Orangetheory is great not only for your body, but your mind too and that’s what I love so much about OT. When you can do hard things in a workout, you feel stronger and able to do hard things in your life.
Let me share a bit more about the science behind OT. It’s a one-hour workout where you run on treadmills, row on rowers, and perform bodyweight and weighted exercises on the floor. An Orangetheory workout is based on heart rate training, where you are trying to spend at least 12 minutes or more in the “orange zone” (thus earning 12 orange “splat points.”) This is called EPOC (excess post-exercise oxygen consumption) where if you challenge your body at the right intensity for you, your body will work super hard to recover that oxygen during a workout, thus revving up your metabolism to burn calories even after your workout.
This is what I love most about Orangetheory. Each workout is personal to you, and you have numbers/data to help you see where you can approve/push yourself harder. This is a mental workout for me, as well as physically challenging. I have a very low heart rate, and I have to push myself to the limit to get my 12 orange splat points. I leave there feeling like Beyoncé at Coachella. Not only is the workout amazing, but the coaches are incredible at motivating you under those orange lights. They help you to push yourself and realize you can do hard things.
Interested in giving it a shot? Here are a few tips you should know before you try out Orangetheory:
- It’s an investment: you pick the monthly package that works best for you. It’s pricey, but it’s for sure an investment in your health. When selecting a package, also be realistic about how many times a week you can realistically get there.
- Plan ahead: because Orangetheory is so freaking amazing…classes fill up FAST. So, book your classes far in advance so you don’t catch yourself as #23 on the waitlist for tomorrow’s 5am class.
- Give yourself grace: there have been times when I haven’t made it to my 12 splatter points, and I leave feeling so defeated and comparing myself to others. Know that you tried your best and went all out!
- Arrive to class early: you get to pick which station you want to start at first, so get there early if you want treadmills first (that’s where I like to start) so you don’t get stuck on the floor!
- Various levels offered: if you aren’t able to run, they have stationary bikes. The coaches are wonderful at getting modifications on the weight floor as well if you need it.
I hope this helps if you’re looking for a new workout to try! Orangetheory is super addicting, and you’ll soon want to go “ALL OUT” in other areas of your life as well the more classes you do. I want to know…have you drank the Orangetheory Kool-Aid too? (and shout out to my coaches at OrangeTheory-Avon!! Love you all!)
