In January 2017, I began investing $179 a month in oranges (well, sort of). Seeking to maximize my return on investment (ROI), I wanted a combination of growth and balance, as well returns in the form of personal dividends. I found it at Orangetheory Fitness (OTF)
OTF is the best investment in my personal portfolio. I believe Orangetheory Fitness (OTF) will have a long-term place in my portfolio for a number of reasons.
So far, the returns have been stellar: I feel stronger, I have more energy, and I’m pumped to workout! Wait, workout? Let me back up a minute.
Related: 365 Days Later: 137,794 Calories & 198 Workouts
**Do you love Orangetheory? I do. Health is key.
But also don’t forget to take care of yourself financially**
What is Orangetheory?
Orangetheory Fitness (OTF) is a group personal training workout or fitness class. Orangetheory utilizes heart rate monitors during classes to track and display your burned calories, heart rate (beats per minute or BPM), and your time spent in different max heart rate zones. The workouts are based on high-intensity interval training.
During each workout, participants are able to see their progress and levels across the various max heart rate zones:
- Red (Zone 5): 92% and above
- Orange (Zone 4): 84% – 91%
- Green (Zone 3): 71% – 83%
- Blue (Zone 2): 61% – 70%
- Gray (Zone 1): 60% and below
What Are Classes Like?
Each class is one hour long (give or take a few minutes in actual practice). The class workouts and exercises are always changing (lots of diversity and variety!). Depending on the time of day and your actual studio location, class sizes can vary.
I’ve been in classes with less than 10 and as many as 45, but I’d say it averages 20-25 in my local studio (note: my studio is in downtown Chicago, which is larger than an average size studio).
The core equipment used consists of treadmills, rowing machines, and floor-based equipment, including free weights, suspension unit systems, and other items.
Related: Orangetheory Fitness: 25 Things You (Might) Learn or Do After 250 Workouts
Endurance Days
Workouts focus on active recovery and typically consist of longer times and/or distances on the treadmills and/or rowing machines; weights and other floor-based exercises tend to be higher repetitions but with lower weights and/or intensities.
Endurance days are my personal favorite workout. Although, they are usually loathed by other classmates.
**Remember! It’s all about that base!
Sign-up to stay connected for the latest content!**
Strength Days
Workouts focus on strength (I guess?). Treadmill and/or rowing machine portions of the class are typically shorter than endurance days in terms of periods within a block (i.e., the mini chunks of time you spend doing a certain activity on a rower or treadmill).
Weights and other floor-based exercises tend to have lower repetitions but with higher weights and/or intensities.
I usually avoid the inclines on the treadmill during strength days. But I’ll just increase the pace or speed instead.
Power Days
Workouts focus on – you guessed it – power!
Each activity and/or block is typically even shorter than strength and endurance days, but with the highest intensities.
For example, power workouts typically contain a greater number of “all-outs” than an endurance day, but with more recovery time in between the intervals.
Power days are intense, but they are very effective.
ESP Days
Endurance, Strength, and Power workouts consist of a blend of all 3 types.
Other days might be a strength and power day. It varies greatly.
There can also be other combination days, special partner workouts, and other types of challenges (whether on an ESP day or not).
Related: Orangetheory Fitness: How to Win (Your Personal) Dri-Tri
Overall, every day of class is very different with a lot of variety in terms of exercises, portions of time spent on the floor, treadmills, and/or rowers, as well as an overall workout type.
If life really is like a box of chocolates like Tom Hanks said playing Forrest Gump, then Orangetheory Fitness (OTF) is a prime example.
How Much Does It Cost?
There are a couple of different costs associated with Orangetheory Fitness (OTF) and they can vary by location.
Monthly Cost
I’m a founding member at a “select” studio (i.e., a higher traffic thus more expensive location) that has pricing at higher rates. I pay $179 a month for an unlimited number of sessions (the “premier” level). The non-founding member rate would be $199 a month for my location.
Members can also choose to pay a lower amount each month to attend a fixed number of classes (“basic” and “elite” levels). You can also purchase pre-paid packages of classes in different increments. Checkout the Orangetheory Fitness (OTF) website for the latest details and to find a studio near you.
Start-Up / Gear Costs
I didn’t encounter any initiation fees per se, but you do need to purchase one of the Orangetheory Fitness (OTF) heart rate monitors, the OTbeat (comes in different styles / features). I paid $69 (plus taxes) for the chest-worn version. Again, this can vary by your location.
Late Cancellations / No Shows / Late Arrivals
This is one of the reasons I love Orangetheory Fitness (OTF) – it deters me from getting lazy, holds me accountable, and keeps me motivated. If I don’t cancel a class before a certain period of time, fail to show-up to a class, or arrive too late, I get charged $14 (this can also vary by your location).
That’s enough to keep me from hitting snooze in the morning or from going home after work and sitting on the couch with a beer. Admittedly, not all the time though – especially if there is a really good beer in the fridge.
How Do You Book / Manage Classes?
Overall, technology is really at the core of Orangetheory Fitness (OTF) workouts. With the app, you can book your classes and perform a number of related activities. After each class, you also receive an email with your workout results and related details. It’s also easy to add your classes to your personal or work calendar.
One of the odd things (if not really a downside) though is there are two apps – (1) Orangetheory Fitness Booking and (2) Orangetheory OTbeat. The former is utilized for class bookings and administrative items, while the latter tracks your performance and results. It would be nice to get these two apps combined.
On the positive side, you do get an email after each class summarizing your results.
Summary
Orangetheory Fitness (OTF) is one of my favorite and best performing investments. I’m seeing returns on my investment: dividends in the form of my health and well-being.
Overall, I find it much more cost-effective than a personal trainer and it keeps me motivated and accountable.
While not cheap, I do believe OTF is definitely worth checking out.
Readers, how do you stay in shape mentally and physically? Do you have anything you’d recommend? What are your thoughts?
Related:
160,962 Calories and 209 Workouts: 365 Days Later
Orangetheory Fitness: 25 Things You (Might) Learn or Do After 250 Workouts
2018 Goals Overview: What Do You Want To Do This Year?
A 10-Year Reflection: To Gym or Not to Gym?
Orangetheory Fitness: How to Win (Your Personal) Dri-Tri
Our favorite free financial tool is Personal Capital. We use it to track our net worth, manage our spending & savings, and to monitor our investments. It’s simple and free to use.
Just got back from a 4 mile stroll with my wife Mike, but it can’t compare to the fitness you get from this program. It it’s working for you, stick with it. Good job. Tom
Thanks Tom. Any bit of activity counts!
Maintaining health is super important and worthy of the investment. I’ve never heard of OTF before but it sounds great, although I agree with you that it’s not cheap. But, if you can afford it, then why the heck not?
Thanks for your comment. Yes, unfortunately, OTF is not as cheap as I’d like, but it’s absolutely worth the price for the return and value.
Awesome article and summary! I actually am an OTF member at my local studio as well. I just signed up in the Fall as a founding member for the studio and it’s been open since December. It is AWESOME! Such a great workout and it’s fun. I opted for the Elite (8 times per month) at $79/ month (Founder’s Rate) and am happy with that one. Plus, my employer lets me expense $50/ month towards a gym membership so it’s very cost effective for me. My personal opinion is that it is definitely worth it. I do have a friend with the unlimited package who goes to another local studio and I think he gets his money’s worth! I like your blog and my future dividend / financial independence blog is coming in the future!
Thanks Mike – appreciate your feedback. I’m glad you’re enjoying OTF. And agreed – it’s a lot of fun and a great workout.
Glad you like the site. Good luck on your upcoming blog as well! Let me know when it’s up and running. – Mike
I joined OTF about a year and a half ago – I have always worked out pretty intensively, but had plateaued-out and needed a new challenge.
I eat a semi-paleo diet but don’t watch calories. I wasn’t aiming to loose weight but knew that I could do with some improvements in the cardio department.
I still eat whatever I want (but do avoid as much sugar/carbs as possible – don’t want them anymore anyway)
The result: I actually ended up losing 25 lbs and now weigh about what I did when I was 30 (I’m now in my mid 60’s). Every week someone comments: “Hey you’r’re looking great/buff”
Yes, it is expensive – but a lot cheaper than hiring a Personal Trainer -n and it gets results :o)