By Cool J in Minneapolis
It’s always a good idea to give a workout a few chances before finalizing your review, because your opinion might change!
I posted on Tuesday morning a relatively positive review of Orange Theory Fitness, stating that I would recommend this workout to my friends (and to my blog-readers. Thanks for reading Mom!) And I still would recommend it. But my second time around, I was just a little less enthralled.
I went back to Orange Theory Fitness again on Tuesday, and had a much different experience than I had on Sunday. In fact, had I not gone on Sunday, I may not have come back a second time at all….
What happened Jess?
It started out okay. I was on the treadmill first this time rather than on the rowing machine. I still enjoyed the 25 minute workout there. It’s fun to see just how fast I can do the “all-out” intervals, and there seemed to be a good number of “push-pace” intervals too at this class. The instructors definitely varied in their exact treadmill routine, and this part of the class was still good.
However, the instructor on Tuesday seemed a bit more interested in meeting the ladies versus leading the group in the workout. He didn’t seem that interested in offering advice or guidance. On the contrary, the instructor from Sunday (Mallory) was much more welcoming and willing to answer our questions and explain the orange theory.
I definitely preferred Mallory’s class on Sunday. Tuesday night’s instructor didn’t use the two different headsets to cue the two different groups, so it was distracting to hear him cuing those that were in the weight room while I was on the treadmill, and vice versa.
I also didn’t like the circuits as much this time around. I’m sure that the circuits change at every class, so maybe this was just an “off” day. To start, we did a core sequence of drills, then back to the rowing machines, then back to a “speed” circuit of faster pace drills with the BOSU and the bench. I’m not sure if each instructor comes up with their own circuits or if the classes are planned by the studio, but for some reason, the circuits didn’t do as much for me this time around. My heart rate never got very high during that part of the class.
I am not writing off Orange Theory completely. I still think that it is a good workout. But this was just a reminder that, just like with any group fitness workout, your class experience can vary drastically based on the instructor. I have encountered the same with yoga, spin, yoga sculpt, and now with Orange Theory Fitness. I still would recommend this class as an effective workout, but I would caution that your experience may vary depending on the instructor.
I hope to go one more time during my free week, and then I have 4 sessions that I purchased with a Groupon. I may space those out over a longer period of time, rather than make Orange Theory a part of my regular routine.
Lesson learned?
Be sure to try out multiple instructors at a particular studio to determine whether or not you like the workout. Had I taken this guy right away I probably would never have come back. But since I know that the class can be better, I’m willing to go again.
And as always, this is just my opinion! Take it with a grain of salt, or don’t take it all!
Thanks for reading!
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