Alright guys, so it took me a while to start sharing any of my workout routines on the blog, cause honestly- I am so NEW to this whole world, I didn’t feel like I could be a trusted resources in that department.

Now, after a year of consistent working out, I feel like it’s time to start sharing.

Just a quick backstory on me- I have always hated working out. In highschool I always got out of running the dreaded mile, I never wanted to go hiking with friends, & growing up I was always thin so I never worried too much about it.

Then, I got older, & I wish I had experience in working out cause getting into it when you’re older is NOT easy. I wouldn’t say I was heavy, but I was definitely skinny fat. I had ZERO tone, the carbs were taking effect on my midsection, & I wanted a change.

It wasn’t enough though. Actually, it wasn’t till a back injury that I went to a doctor & she told me I HAD to start working out or my fractured vertebrae would cause me pain for the rest of my life.

SO- I started with a trainer because I knew that would hold me accountable, but after a year of that (it’s so pricey), I decided to spread my wings & take things into my own hands.

I had heard about Orange Theory from a ton of people, I liked the concept, but I was HORRIFIED. It seemed way too advanced for me, but I was willing to give anything a try. I wanted a workout that I could commit too, since that was my BIGGEST issue when it came to fitness, & this one just seemed intriguring to me.

So- I tried it, one day, on a whim. I just went. LEMME TELL YA- it was hard, but when I left, I couldn’t WAIT to go back. The class is seriously addictive & now that I am a proud member of the OTF family, I figured I could confidently drop some OTF knowledge on you guys!!

5 things I wish I knew before trying out Orange Theory

(& hopefully convince you guys to try it too, cause it really is a game changer!)

1. THE FORMAT: Orange Theory is a HIIT workout (high intensity interval training) which basically means your heart rate rapidly goes up & down. The class is split into three different blocks- treadmill, rower, floor & you will move throughout the room during the 55 minute class

It is based off of the EPOC (excess post exercise oxygen consumption) fitness principle- so the goal of the class is to spend 12 minutes in the “ORANGE ZONE” so that you can get that post exercise calorie burn.

It is a group class, yet has a definite gym feel to it… with a personal trainer who is there to correct and push you along the way.

I like to always start on the floor first, cause someone told me you burn more calories that way. In most cases, you will spend half the class on the floor/rower & half on the treads.

2. THE TECH: Orange Theory is the only work out I know based off of actual science. At your first class, you will borrow a heart monitor, but eventually you will want to get your own. They have an arm band option or one that goes around the chest. I wear the chest heart monitor, but a lot of people like the arm band (it’s new!).

The monitor tracks your heart rate & puts you into zones. You usually start class in the grey zone & work your way up to blue,  green, orange, & red. You can follow your zone throughout all of class on one of the many TV screens.

The goal, again, is to spend a minimum of 12 minutes in that Orange Zone to get that post workout HIGH calorie burn.

I LOVE the technology behind this workout because that’s how my brain works- I need to know what I am doing is working & if I am doing it HARD enough. I know that if I am not in that Orange Zone while the rest of the class is, I need to push myself harder. It’s like you’re competing against yourself, & it is SO motivating!

3. THE LINGO: base, push, all out- those are the three terms you need to know. If you’re trying Orange Theory for the first time, get there about 15 minutes early for the full break down, but to sum it up for you:

+ Base: when running at your base pace, which is different for everyone, but in general- it is 71-83% of your max heart rate. You should be working, but still able to hold a conversation.

+ Push: again, push varies per person, but at a push pace you will be using 84-91% of your max heart rate. Your push pace should be a challenge, but also something you can do for an extended period of time

+ All out: EMPTY THE TANK with your all out. When your instructor calls all out, you will be using 91-100% of your max heart rate.

4. IT’S LIKE A FAMILY: the whole experience is so encouraging, which is important to me. Gyms can be overwhelming & intimidating, but at Orange Theory- it’s nothing like that. Everyone who teaches & takes is so encouraging, which although it’s kinda corny high vibing your neighbor on a treadmill, IT IS SO ENCOURAGING. You are in it together & there are people of all levels taking the class. The instructors are so motivating & hands on, it really is such a fun experience.

I have made so many friends in Orange Theory, & the whole vibe is just very encouraging. The instructors are also always there to modify workouts for me to help keep my back pain at bay- which is AWESOME!

5. NEVER A DULL MOMENT: each class is different, & it keeps things fresh. Nothing more I hate than going to a workout class & it is the EXACT same every single time. Some days it will be an endurance day (longer runs), other days it will be strength day (lots of hills), & some days it will be about speed. Regardless of the day, you walk away feeling like you really made the most of your 55 minutes & you also leave knowing exactly how you did- they email you a report at the end of each class.

Basically, it’s amazing & I am addicted. The proof is really in the pudding though, & I promise you- ORANGE THEORY WORKS. I started seeing results within two weeks & I have gone from someone who NEVER ran on a treadmill in my life, to running 8 minute miles on an incline.

Have you guys tried Orange Theory? Do you love it? LMK- would love to connect w/ my OTF fam on the blog <3. x, E