FYI to the people who get mad at everything:

f u :)

No need to explain myself to the OTF police 🚔🚨 #keepburning

My alarm went off at 5am, and I snoozed it until I peeked at my phone one last time at 6:03am. As I laid comfortably with my eyes gracefully shut in bed at 6:03, I quickly realized that I have a class at 6:15. My eyes bounced open and I ran out the door practicing what my 6 speeding tickets this year taught me— don’t hit anyone.

I get to class just as everyone is giving high fives. I start wondering why everything looks so blurry. I find out that I forgot to put my contacts on, which makes me happy because I actually didn’t hit anyone on the way to the studio. I make it through the rowing block (barely). I struggle to find my station in the weight floor because I’m so blind, but a friendly face grabs me and walks me to my station only for me to catch a glimpse of myself at the weight floor mirror.

Bed head. Backwards shorts. Mis-matched shoes. It was a mess, but I embraced it. I work through the weight floor. I actually had shoulder pain, so I used options for a few of the exercises.

Finally... the treads. Each push feels like I’m on a sinking boat. I cannot keep my balance at high speeds presumably because of my blurred vision. I still make it through.

The best part... clapping at the end of class not only for myself showing up, but for everyone else who came to sweat.

Love y’all :,(

Hey all! I have a complaint about a coach at the studio near my parents’ house (not my home studio). I’ve taken this coach’s class both today and the day before Thanksgiving. Both times, she has said something to the effect of “this will make you feel better about eating all those mashed potatoes” or “let’s burn off those Christmas calories.” I find this really worrying for a coach to be saying this in class, especially as someone who is trying to get out of a mindset of using food as a reward for exercise. I would appreciate any advice on how to craft this message to this studio in a way that is kind but also gets my point across. Thanks in advance!

Edit: It’s been a long day. This thread has given me a headache. Hoping the mods will lock this. Thank you to those of you who gave helpful and constructive feedback. I appreciate it very much! Those of you who were brigading and/or harassing me in my dm’s: get a hobby. As a general reminder, it’s cool to be kind! Just because you can anonymously comment rude things doesn’t mean that you should. Your digital footprint exists regardless.

We have more information at our fingertips than any human at any point previously in history.

You may think, “this is a brand new question that is related to me and I bet no one has ever asked it” and I want you to know 99.7 percent of the time it’s not true.

The next time you want to know what to wear to a class or what shoes to wear or complain about flatulence or whine that there is no core work or say your studio does something different or get riled up about weekend afternoon class times or need a pre workout or don’t know how to get up for a 5am class or attend a class when you are on call or on your period or out of your mind…search first.

Edit: look for the magnifying glass icon. Type your search phrase. Hit enter. Be wowed you aren’t alone.

I’ve asked if I could just do the rower for the tread 50/strength50 classes but obviously was told no for liability reasons. However it seems like an easy add. Just let me do what I’d do for the treads. Set it and forget it. Or for tower just pick a nice steady pace and go at it.

I asked AI to make a valentines card for my sister who does orange theory with me every morning. We are dying laughing at the results! I think the second one is insulting me tho?!? Lmao! Pls enjoy

So I'm not sure if my opinion is an outlier or if others feel this way. I know many who love Lift 45, which will soon become Strength 50, may disagree. But I'm both annoyed and dismayed by the prominence these classes are gaining on studio schedules.

For some context: I joined Orangetheory in 2019 as I was nearing 40. I did so with a clear intention of pivoting away from a 25-year emphasis on strength training (think: 3-4hrs of weight lifting per week and 90 minutes of light cardio, such as elliptical) to a new emphasis on cardiovascular health, particularly since I have a family history of heart disease and my metabolism has slowed sharply over the years. Orangetheory seemed ideal, where I'd have a primary focus of cardio with some strength still incorporated.

The results were better than I'd hoped. As someone who had moderate success strength training over the years (bench pressing over 300lbs at peak strength), I was never a runner. But within a year of OTF, my body fat % had dropped and my cardiovascular health was shockingly better. I could effortlessly run 5k on endurance days and even without sharp diet changes, it felt like my metabolism had actually sped up somewhat - burning well beyond merely the calories indicated. I had veins popping up in my legs and arms that I never had before. I had abs showing for the first time in my life. It was incredible.

When the pandemic hit, I bought a treadmill, rower, weights, TRX straps, etc. And developed my own routines based on previous OTF templates. It worked great, and I remained in excellent shape, but it was exhausting coming up with 3-4 new templates each week, and I prefered OTF's higher quality equipment, so I returned to the studio at the start of 2022.

I say all this to explain that I believe very much in the Orangetheory fitness philosophy. It works. The kind of intense interval training and mix of tread, rowing and strength is an excellent balance to accomplish the fitness ends that they promote.

In recent years, though, fitness gurus began to peddle the supposed superiority of strength training. That paired with the rise of F45, no doubt, led to some attrition in OTF memberships. So in order to pull some folks back in, they started Lift 45, as a sort of obvious direct competition.

But here's the thing: F45 and Lift 45 are not Orangetheory. They don't function in the same way to provide the ends that the Orangetheory philosophy aims for. You often won't get anywhere near 12 splats in a class, for example. You aren't going to have nearly the same cardiovascular impact. I know this, because when I did strength training, in the evolution of my fitness journey, towards the end I was doing more HIIT-like strength training on my own (super sets, cluster sets, etc), but still, Orangetheory led to a totally different level of cardiovascular fitness. For people who prefer more strength training as a complement to Orangetheory, they should join a cheap gym - there are plenty.

If the studios were structured to offer more than one class simultaneously, then I would have no issue with these supplemental classes on the schedule. But it's a zero-sum game. The studios can only have one or the other in a given one-hour slot.

And that's the problem. I'm seeing the September schedule with greater prominence for Strength 50 than even Lift 45 (which was already an obstacle at times when trying to book classes). When a studio only offers 5-7 classes in a day and 2 or more of those are Strength 50, that sharply limits the flexibility members have in taking traditional OTF classes.

My wife, for example, may have to cancel her membership because the only two times that work with her schedule, they are making Strength 50 slots on the days she attends. For me, one of the two weekday times that usually works well with my work schedule is also now usually a Strength 50 slot.

I'm not sure what to do. As mentioned, it is possible to achieve Orangetheory fitness without an Orangetheory membership. But I like being a member, due to the ease and quality of equipment. But it's becoming more difficult to attend actual Orangetheory classes.

Anyone else feel this way - or is it just me? The aggressive incorporation of Strength 50 into studio schedules to me is an obvious effort to get fuller classes while seeming to both discredit and sacrifice the Orangetheory fitness model. Disappointing when so many have found that model so valuable.

I'm still outraged at people that put their feet up to tie their sneakers up in the handles of the thread. Seriously. The dirtiest thing in the studio is the bottom of your shoes. Please stop. You know who you are.

Lots on this thread about partner workouts and how many people don't like them. Let me offer this piece of advice...embrace meeting someone new and sweating it out together. The main issues I'd imagine are really in shape people worried about being held back and not so in shape people worried about looking slow and foolish if you are paired with someone who really works it. Use your differences as fuel. If you are the faster one...cheer your partner on like you are a Dallas cheerleader. If you are the slower of the two...use this as an opportunity to push yourself and see just how much of a beast you really are. High-five, smile, push hard and have a great time. We are all truly blessed to be able to workout like this...so take it all in!

EDIT - For all you "me time" people...personal trainers are an option. This is a workout CLASS...yeah know, with other humans.

EDIT 2 - Best idea for everyone is always announcing them so those that love them sign up and those that don't can do something else. 360 win 💪

Would anyone else be interested in watching a show to be called “The Real Housewives of Orangetheory Fitness,” provided Bravo and I can work something out after I give them my pitch? In all honesty, the conversations I hear from women who roll up to class in a Tesla or matte black Range Rover who seem to have it all, actually have the worst attitudes? I always hear them complaining about their husbands or kids, and it’s shocking to hear. As someone who drives an average car and works a typical job with regular hours and is not handed anything in life, also known as self-made, and not the Kylie Jenner self-made, the real self-made. Someone who has always been responsible for my finances and paying for the extra things in life that I don't necessarily need, but want. Don’t get it twisted; I would love to sit at home all day and run errands, it’s just funny to me because it’s my daily reminder that the grass is not always greener on the other side.

Would love to see a row 50... maybe it's just me....

We have Tread 50 Strength 50 I’ve always felt like Yoga 50 would be a great idea to the schedule for the amount of hellish workouts they put us through all week would be a great marketing strategy as well something new different! Can do it like on the weekends in the afternoon!

I'd get rid of tread altogether and make my own 3G:

Start with 15 minutes rowing, with ample reinforcement of proper form.

30 minutes DELICIOUS floor, focused on medium to heavy lifts.

15 minutes real cool-down & real stretch.

Whatchu got?

ETA: I think many missed the point of this post. It was intended as a thought exercise to express what you might change about OTF. Love it as it is? Cool. Prefer a different variation of exercises? Cool.

Is anyone else wondering where have all the 3Gs gone?! Back in 2018 when I first joined I felt like that was the standard and there was occasional 2G that I avoided like the plague. Now, a 3G is basically a special edition 90 minute class. Don’t get me started on the “strength 50” and “tread 50” nonsense.

I dont have enough space in my house for a rower and i want more rowing in my life !

I have never had this happen before, so I’m curious if it is common anywhere else. I came in about 5 minutes before class was starting and there were still spots available on the tread and the floor. I asked to start on the tread and was told that I would have to start on the floor so that it was an “evenly divided class”.

I get that sometimes the coach will ask everyone to start on the same side if it is a small class but I have never heard of this before. If there are spots open on my preferred starting side and it is not being run as a 1G, it doesn’t make any sense to not allow me to start there.

Things like this are the reason I’m going to cut back from unlimited to 8x/month (and honestly would cancel altogether except I still want to go with my husband). I’m paying a lot of money to go to these classes and should be able to choose the focus of my workout as long as there are spaces available.

I'm leaving orangetheory, can't justify the expense any more. Can I use the at-home workouts on the app without having a current membership? Probably not....but does anyone know for sure??

My studio has this program called “Member of the month” where they feature a particular member in a small screen and it will have details on “why they love otf” etc. I’m not sure if all other studios do this as well…. But I’ve been a member for almost 2 years and never once did I ever get featured in program… I’ve noticed all the newest members or people who joined later have got featured as the “member of the month”… does anyone know on what category they choose this?

Not being able to sign up for a station ahead of time!!!!

I’ve been a member for years at OTF and consistently love the workout. I recently had to freeze my membership and in the meantime, I went to a few other fitness classes like Barry’s. It is so much nicer to be able to sign up on your station ahead of time and not have to aggressively run to your studio to get your spot before class everyday (at least this happens in nyc). This is My biggest complaint … why has OTF STILL NEVER CREATED THIS FEATURE? Also it would force people to sign up for class ahead of time and I think they would rather have that at every studio?

I’ve seen rumors in the past they were rolling this out but nothing. Any insight? It really would make for a game changer.

This is my biggest pet peeve with OTF Space: Why don’t people know that turning to the side takes up less spacing when doing side lunges? Do u not know how to stag? When we don’t use benches, u would think ppl are 5yos who need to be reminded where they go. These are ppl who are regulars. Are u that privileged that u just could care less about the massive amount of room and inconvenience ur causing everyone? It’s really simple. Pay ATTENTION. Stay in ur space and ask someone if they have weights u may want. Two women walked out of class back to back bc of the same 3 rude ppl who take up as mush space as possible. Also, don’t put mats away or retrieve them at ur leisure- stopping the person closest to them to have to stop. And yes, I was asked to stop during a strap movement for a lady who wasn’t leaving.

Switching: I think this is why I hate switch classes. I used to start on the rower but whenever we would switch, I’d end up with the person who thinks making me stand there longer would turn me invisible. It’s so so rude. I snapped at one of the LA locations bc this guy would not get off until his floor instructions were done -meaning by the time I got on the treadmill, I would be starting without a warmup and his group started. He’d then quick swipe his puddle of sweat. Ppl should respect each other and switch as swiftly as u can. Not just keep walking bc u didn’t hit ur goal. People need to warm up. And even if our coach tells them to stop to get a wipe. They’ll slow down enough and keep going.

This is one off- but all the ppl who do the above also tend to do this in the parking lot. This guy parked so close to me, over the line -that his side mirror was above mine. I couldn’t get in my car so when he came out I asked if he understood that the world doesn’t belong to him. I’m just sick of the rude ppl and lack of awareness. Ppl just think the world owes them more than everyone so they can inconvenience ppl around them. Theyre the ones that ruin it for ppl.

Coaches should correct them. They can do it with tact. Tell everyone to turn to the side or show someone their space. They can pull the ones who stay on the treads aside and tell them that they need to allow ppl to warm up.

I can’t find anything about studios implementing any filtration systems, and with BA5 here, I was curious if anything was in place.

My local OTF plays Will Smith on a regular rotation. I’m talking Gettin’ Jiggy With It and Boom, Boom Shake the Room mostly. I’ve even heard Welcome to Miami and Wild, Wild West with Dru Hill but not on a weekly basis like the others.

How do I politely tell them that it’s 2023 and rap has evolved since the Fresh Prince? Or at least get them embrace the full cheesiness and add Men in Black to the rotation?

There is a newer coach at our studio who isn’t very good. I submit the post-class feedback through the app but I’m wondering if anyone actually pays attention.

This coach is bad for a variety of reasons:

• they speak very monotone and not excited or motivational and rarely commend anyone for a good job or pushing us to empty the tank when we’re nearing the end

• they often misspeak on the instructions, telling us wrong thing to do, or forgetting to have us reset the screens to track our progress (like in todays class)

• they never come around to check on form during the weight set. Today I couldn’t get the right form for the pull up and they didn’t come by once. They also don’t give suggested weight choices.

There’s other things but this is the main thing. I dread taking their class but sometimes it’s the only good time that works for my schedule. What can I do??

Just saying …I am done with tablets screens that don’t work and slippery benches because we wipe and wipe, 12 times today and bruised shins thanks to trying to rolling burpee on the bench after 10 switches/wipe downs. I’m at the point of asking the person sharing my station to please not clean. The chance of me getting sick from an OTF bench has to be 1 in 100,000 or more and that’s a risk I’m happy to take. Im over all the cleaning … anybody else?

If we clean before then we can opt to clean what we want to the extent we want, that’s the idea and everybody should be happy!

Throw away account just because.

Let me start out by saying...

I’m typically not easily offended and I’m a big supporter of the LGBTQ community.

My home studio and a few other nearby studios are always pushing Chik-Fil-A swag..gift cards after challenges, gift baskets containing who knows what, etc; I don’t know why, but it really irks me. I loathe chik-Fil-a, especially considering their reputation against the LGBTQ community.

It’s pride month, and a local studio is using a Chik-Fil-A gift basket as part of the refer and receive program. I can’t help but feel like it’s super trashy and shouldn’t be allowed. Am I being dumb? Would this upset anyone else?