Anonymous wrote:Please share your experience of going to orange theory? I am not in good shape, have been walking more to start somewhere (trying to walk about 2 miles a day). I was thinking about getting a person trainer as workout alone is more difficult to keep up and easier to quit.

I need to work on core muscles and work on posture etc. I have bad posture but need someone who understands that and the pelvic floor muscles for women and how all this fits together. Is there a personal trainer that understands all that, one can recommend?

I love OT but for what you're needing, I would get a personal trainer. OT is all about cardio for the first half of class and overall strength training for the second half which includes a little upper body, a little lower and a little bit of core. That said there really isn't much one on one guidance from the instructors. yes they walk around and adjust you if needed but they don't stay by your side. I can't recommend a trainer though, I don't live in the area.

*What works for my body, not what twirls my body!

I lifted and did cardio on my own for 10+ years. Have recently started Orange Theory and really like it! They have limited Lift 45 classes to build strength. I like OTF because I was just tired of coming up with my own workout plan, and started getting really lazy with cardio. But intense cardio intervals with some strength training (along with a good diet) have really helped with fat loss. But this is what twirls for my body, and I have a good foundation of muscle. So, your mileage may vary. I also like the variety at OTF—TRX straps, bench, bosu ball, etc. I feel like it’s a good balance of agility, balance, strength, and cardio. Surprised at all the negative posts!

OT is for old pigs

I love Orangetheory but have previously worked out with trainers and loved that, too. I think a trainer is the best bet for a jump start and personalized plan. Orangetheory can be a great way to augment your routine later. Agree that the lifting isn't the strongest part of OTF; I do heavy weight training on my own to supplement.

OP, based on the provided info I would get a personal trainer to teach you how to work all muscle groups with kettleballs, dumbbells or even just plain old using your body (probably for lunges, body squats,etc.). Also, adjusting your diet will help you get results sooner not fast though.

I workout almost everyday lifting weights and have done OTF once a while (I got session plan). I am in decent shape and normally run 3-4 miles.
The thing I like about OTF is real time tracking of calories/splat points, music (6am need something to pump you up). I normally only do the 3G 60 minute workout, it is a hard fast paced workout which I have burned anywhere from 1000-1300 calories. OTF is better than running for 60 minutes for me at least.

I like OTF, but you have to take it for what it is. The camaraderie can be fun and some studios are better than others when it comes to coaches (I really liked the Falls Church City studio post-pandemic, but a lot of my favorite coaches have left; same deal with the McLean studio). That said, the workout itself is two-thirds cardio and the minimal strength you do isn't very challenging, nor enough to make a noticeable difference. That's why people go for a long time and don't see changes, as other posters mentioned.

Trainers can be hit or miss, too, and very expensive, but if you find the right one, the workouts can be super challenging and helpful. Of course, diet ties into it as well. I know some gyms do specials where they offer a few personal training sessions for free: could you try a few trainers that way and see who's the best fit?

I couldn’t follow the instructors at OTF. The music was too loud and there wasn’t enough demonstrations of the moves.

I joined Lifetime. Did two PT sessions and started doing their GTX classes. Excellent demonstrations of moves, help with scaling and very encouraging.

I did OT at the start of my weight loss journey - for about 6 months before COVID shut everything down. I loved it and went 5 days a week, sometimes 6. It was great to start my journey and a great way to learn form, get in running shape, and meet some people. I will say - I got bored with it after a few months. Yes, I saw some awesome results, but I attribute that to mostly switching to keto. OTF is expensive if you don’t go often. For me, I paid $160/month and made sure to go at least 16x so the cost was reasonable . But, the tread workout become redundant. I hate rowing for long periods of time. And eventually you don’t want to do a set cadence of strength reps. You’ll have enough muscle that the strength sections are no longer challenging.
I highly recommend OTF if you need to get in shape or are starting a weight loss journey. If you like community, OTF is also amazing with a huge following on Reddit (you should check it out after reading this).
Hire a trainer when you want to focus on strength only

I think you should start with a trainer and then try a few OT classes in a couple months after training and see if you like them. It's a style of workout that appeals to certain people, but I think if you haven't worked out in a while, it would be overwhelming.

Ppl go to OT a lot, but their bodies take a LONG time to change. I don’t know why.

I like OT a lot, but in your case a trainer may be best for you for the time being. Once you gain strength and endurance OT may be a good supplement to your workout. I don’t think it’s a great workout for those early in their exercise journey.

Orangetheory is great for cardio but not great for strength. If you want to get stronger hire a trainer and learn to lift heavy.

I didn't enjoy Orange Theory, although I know a lot of people do. I found it boring, monotonous, and didn't feel like the instructors could help give you modifications - there's too much going on at one.

I feel like instructors in group exercise classes (at gyms) tend to be better, because they see most people at the same time and we're all doing the same exercise at the same time.

If you can afford a personal trainer, I think it's a great option to get some one on one instruction to help give you the right individualized tools.

Please share your experience of going to orange theory? I am not in good shape, have been walking more to start somewhere (trying to walk about 2 miles a day). I was thinking about getting a person trainer as workout alone is more difficult to keep up and easier to quit.

I need to work on core muscles and work on posture etc. I have bad posture but need someone who understands that and the pelvic floor muscles for women and how all this fits together. Is there a personal trainer that understands all that, one can recommend?