The instructor, Sadler, and I after class.
Studio: Orangetheory Buckhead
Class: Orange 60
Class description from website: Orangetheory Fitness offer 60-minute workout sessions split into intervals of cardiovascular and strength training with heart rate monitors to track intensity and maximize metabolic burn. Increase energy, get visible results and burn more calories, even after leaving the studio. That’s the Orange Effect!
Really want to change your body and your fitness level? Join the best fitness movement in the nation!
The Orangetheory Buckhead staff.
Location: 3097 Piedmont Rd., Atlanta, GA 30305 (They also have locations in Midtown, Howell Mill, and soon to be Emory Point)
Phone: (404) 719-0170
Cost: Orange Theory is offering a special of 3 classes for free for new students. Drop in is $15.
What to Bring: Water and, if you sweat a lot, a towel. They provide cubbies for you to store your belongings while in class.
What to wear: Comfortable workout clothes. Yoga pants, leggings, tank top, t-shirt etc. Shorts are fine, but I always encourage you to wear bike shorts in a fitness class like this because you are on your feet, on your back, in a plank, jumping, running, rowing, and many other things that might lead to an unsolicited peep show. Comfortable athletic shoes (cross trainers, running shoes).
Class size: Large. There were 23 people including me.
Props used: Treadmills, rowing machines, suspension units (straps), dumb bells, and benches. They have other equipment as well but this was what we used for this particular class.
Weight room.
Weight room
Treadmills & rowing machines.
Volume and type of music: Loud enough to be heard over all the machines. Top 40, pop, hip hop. The teacher turned down the music when she was giving instructions so we could hear her more clearly.
Impact: High impact, however, you control the intensity of your workout.
Modifications: Before class, the instructor, Sadler, asked if anyone had any injuries that hindered their ability to exercise. She also said to come to her directly if it was something we didn’t want to mention in front of the other students. She was very clear about giving modifications if necessary and not working through injuries.
Format of class: Upon signing in for class, we were given heart rate monitors to wear for the class because the philosophy of Orangetheory is based on you working in zone 4 or 5, the orange and red zones or >84% of your target heart rate, for 12-20 minutes of the class. Our individual heart rates were displayed on a TV screen in two corners of the room. Throughout the class we were told to try to increase or decrease our heart rate (increase or decrease our intensity) to get to a higher or lower zone.
Before the session began, Sadler asked all the new students if anyone had any injuries and then took us into the workout area and gave an orientation of the class, explaining how to use the treadmills and the rowing machines. Sadler explained that when on the treadmills we had the choice to be power walkers, joggers, or runners. Based on this choice, we were given our ‘base’ pace, ‘push’ pace, and ‘all out’ pace. There was a laminated placard on each of the treadmills showing these options as a reminder throughout the workout.
Once our orientation was over we were ushered back out to the reception area to join the veteran students. Once again, Sadler asked if anyone had any injuries and we were guided back into the workout area with a high five. We were split in half, with one half starting on the treadmills and the other half starting on the rowing machines. I started on the treadmills. While the other group went back and forth between the rowing machines and the weight room, Sadler instructed my group through intervals on the treadmill telling us when to switch from ‘base’ pace, to ‘push’ pace, to ‘all out’ pace. We were on the treadmills for 30 minutes and then switched out with the other group.
For the next 30 minutes my group repeated what the first group had already done, alternating between the rowing machines and the weight room.
We began with a few minutes of intervals on the rowing machine and then went over to the weight room for seven minutes alternating between step ups with an overhead press, one leg jump squats with the suspension trainers, and steps ups with a hammer curl. After that we went back to the rowing machines for several more minutes of intervals and then back to the weight room for four minutes of burpees alternating with plank and push up variations. Following that round we went back to the rowing machines for a a few more intervals and then cooled down. We ended class with a quick stretch and then were able to review our results based on our heart rate. I managed to get 12 minutes in the orange zone and two minutes in the red zone.
What to expect:
- Expect an intense total body workout.
- Expect a cardio and strength training work out wrapped into 60 minutes.
- Expect to pay attention to the instructor the entire class. No zoning out in here.
- Expect plenty of opportunities for a water break.
- Expect orange lighting…who doesn’t like a theme?
Who should take this class:
- People who get bored easily. You are constantly changing your speed on the treadmill and the rowing machine and we did several exercises while in the weight room.
- People who love to cross train. You get a little running, walking, rowing, weight lifting, etc.
- People who like to work hard and push themselves.
- People who need an outside motivator like the heart monitor.
- People looking to knock out cardio and resistance training simultaneously.
Professional advice: If you are a new student, arrive 30 minutes early because you will need to fill out paperwork and get acclimated with the machines.
Be aware of your posture and body alignment throughout the class. It’s easy to slump and round your shoulders forward when on the treadmill and, as you get tired, it’s easy to ignore proper form when in the weight room or while rowing so be aware of proper body alignment throughout!
I thought the display of everyone’s heart rates would create a highly competitive atmosphere, but I was so focused on my own heart rate that I didn’t notice anyone else’s. That said, you should always keep your blinders on when doing any sort of fitness class to avoid injury or pushing yourself beyond your capabilities. Go at your own pace! I was a proud power walker during the class.
Thank you to my instructor, Sadler, for an awesome workout and your enthusiastic and encouraging attitude!
My friends, Josh and Corrie from lululemon athletica Shops Around Lenox, joined me for our Orange workout!
fitdesiree 