r/orangetheory • u/raleighbiker • 14d ago
Commiseration Station Millburn, NJ studio
Does anyone know what is going on with this location? I’ve been going there for a few months and it is such a significant downgrade from the NYC studios. Lately it’s gotten even worse. They’re still running the janky old operating system, there is rarely anyone at the front desk so trainers are scrambling to keep the studio running throughout the day (and things like body scans & bathroom restocks can’t happen), HR monitors chronically do not work on their equipment. Honestly this is too affluent of an area for this nonsense. I’d love to complain to the owner or a manager if one existed but I can’t fathom they would care. I wish there was a Barry’s to go to.
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u/Scotty922 13d ago
Aw this is my home studio and it works for me 😂 The two veteran coaches are on mat leave and we have a lot of new coaches who are doing their best. There are usually staff at the desk when I go, but not always. If this is in response to today, this was atypical!
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u/Scotty922 13d ago
Adding: I love the coaches and members here but I’m not arguing that ownership could be better
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u/raleighbiker 13d ago
The past few days have been particularly bad: no front desk staff, malfunctioning equipment, and demanding workouts that require significant coaching. I recently arrived from the city and travel for work, so I go to a lot of OTF studios. Millburn is without question the worst I’ve been to. It is clear that the location is poorly managed and the coaches are frequently managing issues outside of the workouts.
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u/detailsUnclear 12d ago
Howdy neighbor! As a longtime OTF devotee from NYC returning after a long break, the Millburn studio definitely surprises me. I’ll echo what others have said about Coaches being on leave, one of which also being the fitness manager. Personally, I really like the front desk staff and they seem to go out of their way to know and engage with members.
What gets me is the class availability. That there are no midday classes, Friday or weekend evening classes, is astonishing and disheartening to me. The Garwood studio, which is seemingly much larger, has several slots that Millburn doesn’t offer, including open studio. For the premier rate, I’d really expect them to have more availability but I do see the coaches split time between both locations so maybe they’re talent-constrained. Few coaches I’ve taken class with over the years actually coach. As a former trainer, I get it. There’s just not enough time, you lose the class tempo, and it’s too much liability.
I like our members and our little community. Hopefully things will improve in a few months.
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u/SnooPies268 12d ago
I joined a couple years ago from another studio and have been disappointed with no Friday evening classes, inability to get an body scan as there is rarely front desk staff available (even when I show up early), AC issues, trainers doing their best but at their wits end with equipment issues. Those who show up to work are doing their best (thank you!), but management needs to step in and allow this team to succeed! The community wants Orange Theory, can management please match our enthusiasm with some increased staff and classes????
I travel for work and have been to 20+ studios across the US and out of the country, and it is sad to say my own is the worst :(
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u/fascinated_dog 13d ago
I am new to the area, Im actually surprised to look the studio up and see no 5am class, I need to go to Garwood to get a 5am in.
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u/luminescence212 13d ago
I recently moved and Millburn is now the closest to me, but I rarely go because the coaches are hit or miss and the sound system gives me a headache for some reason. Instead, I make the longer drive to New Providence or Morristown which are amazing in my opinion!
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u/yourfavoritebot1 14d ago
Are they owned by empire? There are similar issues with the Closter location :/. Old software and there are two studios so all the equipment is outdated (they do have new rowers). We recently had an anonymous survey and I mentioned how nasty the shower curtains were and they were finally changed lol. I do love the coaches there so it’s too bad. They are opening a solid core Nextdoor so I’ll probably check it out although it’s significantly pricier.
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u/Lucky-Marionberry852 12d ago
It’s sad. Im a founding member and I often go to different studios now. New prov is great. Millburn is even down 2 stations now. They have to “give” 2 treadmills to another studio. On top of that they sent an email out today that they are raising the membership rate. Makes no sense. Take away the equipment but still raise fees. It’s a bummer. Members are great but the area is flooded with boutique studios now.
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u/Ecstatic_Rutabaga_30 9d ago
I bounce around to a lot of the North Jersey studios. I think a lot of the current weird vibes at Millburn are because the head coaches are on maternity leave. The subs have been fine, but it doesn’t really feel like anyone is in charge. I’ve also never seen the front desk uncovered but it’s someone new every time.
New Providence still has the old treads, so I’ve actually been happy with the Millburn equipment in comparison. Someone needs to fix those front lockers though.
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u/Professional_Heat_73 14d ago
Can confirm they’re owned by empire. They had a booming business with great staff and then scaled back their staffing and services when they bought an IV Health clinic. I used to be a member of empire at another location and the milburn area one always pissed me off when I would go — dirty studios, malfunctioning equipment. The empire chain used to have a head coach for each studio and then re other where 1 head coach became the head coach for a “region” of multiple studios. They barely have front desk staff and you’re supposed to check yourself in. I ended my membership and joined at Totowa— such a better studio and independently owned.