Happy Thursday! I’m thrilled to be back and chatting about another fitness routine you can fit into your schedule to up your game when it comes to staying in shape. You know by now that I often go Spinning and Yoga, and now I’m adding another cardio routine to my week: HIIT Classes at Orange Theory Fitness. It’s by far the hardest workout I’ve ever done and I’m completely a believer in this type of routine. Let’s dive into this.
You Need To Be Taking A HIIT Class
This post is sponsored by Orange Theory Fitness. I received complimentary classes in exchange for my honest review.
There are lots of reasons you need to be exercising on the reg, but a big reason that I advocate HIIT classes are the crazy benefits that A. I’ve personally noticed and B. science tells me so. So let’s dive into the many reasons that you NEED to be taking a HIIT class (at Orange Theory Fitness, preferably).
Here’s how Orange Theory Fitness works: There are 3 stations, treadmill – weights – rowing machine. You rotate through each station and the workout is determined by your coach for the day. One day you may rotate every 5 minutes, the next you may do one 30 minute stretch then switch. I prefer moving every five minutes because I hate the treadmill and 30 minutes of tread makes me want to cry (not even a joke).
You are supposed to get your heart rate up to the ‘orange zone’ (84% or higher of your maximum heart rate). You can watch your heart rate and calories burned on the screens in the studio to keep track of where you’re at.
Now the trainers can be a bit aggressive. I have a foot that I broke many years ago, and never got fixed, so things like running on the treadmill can be extremely painful for me. I opt for the fast walk or light jog as opposed to an all out sprint. Personally, if that means I’m in the green a little longer than I’m technically supposed to be, it doesn’t bother me. However, the trainers will look at you funny or yell at you to get into the orange. I know it’s their job, but I also know my body. I still got an amazing workout, but I also didn’t injure myself any further.
According to the Orange Theory website, the reason that typical gyms don’t work is that you stay in the green zone the whole time. It takes longer to lose weight. If you are looking to lose weight faster and tone up more quickly, this will definitely help you achieve those goals. I made it a point to get into the orange zone while on the rowers and when I did the weight lifting, so I made it up somewhere else.
I am not sure that this would be super great for someone who isn’t experienced in modifying the routines to fit their body. Someone who has never been to a gym before would have a really hard time jumping into a class like that. I would say Orange Theory is perfect for someone who typically goes to the gym, but is looking to beef up their cardio routine or has plateaued on the weight loss and wants to kick start losing again.
DISCLAIMER: you will be SORE. The first time I went to a class, it took SEVEN DAYS for me to be able to walk normally and sit down without wincing. My body just wasn’t used to such a high intensity right off the bat. However, the most I’ve gone, the recovery time has reduced, and I know with time, I’ll be able to brush it off much quicker. Just prepare yourself for the high intensity.
I wouldn’t go more than twice a week, three times MAX. It’s hard on your body. You need to give yourself time to recover. I’ve been doing it once a week, intermixing with my spin classes and hot yoga classes. It’s a good kick in my butt for my cardio quota for the week. I love the music, I love the competition and I find that it’s really fun if you take your friends (or in my case, my sister) with you.
BENEFITS OF HIIT CLASSES:
- Helps build endurance — HIIT classes have been shown to adapt the cellular structure of muscles. This can increase your endurance for any kind of exercise.
- Burns calories and fat in a shorter period of time – You can burn more calories in 15 minutes of high intensity interval training than you do jogging on the treadmill for an hour.
- Effective energy use – The HIIT system works based off of work-hard-then-recover situation. Alternating the workouts with resting periods helps your body use energy efficiently over time.
- Boosts metabolism – Studies have shown that in HIIT classes, your body consumes more oxygen than non-interval workouts, so you boost metabolism.
- Burn calories and fat hours after you leave the gym – Apparently, after a HIIT workout, you are still burning calories 24 hours AFTER your workout. (#SWEET). That apparently doesn’t happen with typical steady-pace workouts.
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All in all, I really enjoy my time at Orange Theory Fitness. The staff are so nice, super helpful and they genuinely seem to care about getting you into shape. My biggest recommendation is to know your own body. Know when to push it, and know when to slow down.
Have you ever taken a class at Orange Theory Fitness? What did you think? Let me know in the comments below!
I’ve been meaning to try this! There’s one right by my house.
You can do your first class free — so I’d definitely go test it out!
I used to be a member and I loved it. I plan to sign up again once I have more reliable child care and won’t be missing so many classes. It was such a good workout.
It definitely is a good workout!!
My friend used to work for orangetheory and she loved it! I have always wanted to try it!
I hope you do! IT’s a great workout!
This sounds like a great workout. I love that you mentioned that you adapt an exercise to suit your body, I think it is so important to realize that we all may have different injuries or health issues that mean we may need to alter a certain part of the workout. It is more important to participate and give it your all than to do a certain exercise in an exact manner. A good fitness coach will inquire as to why you are varying the exercise and offer suggestions to you, not judge!
YES! SO TRUE. A good instructor won’t judge you for listening to your body. They will help you modify. Exactly!!
I’ve heard soo many good things about Orange Theory and that it’s SUPER hard! I don’t know if I’m in shape enough for it yet but I definitely want to give it a try soon!
Kristen | http://www.sophisticatedgal.com
I just started this at my gym! It’s becoming popular!
YAY! I hope you love it!
I have such a hard time doing HIIT by myself, but I think taking a class would motivate me more. I had no idea that OrangeTheory was named for the orange zone you’re supposed to stay in!
Yes! So cool, right?? And I have a hard time doing HIIT by myself too. I just am terrible at keeping myself on track.
I don’t think I have an Orange Theory near me (I don’t even know – must check!), but HIIT is INTENSE. My jam. Lovelovelove. Get it, girl!
Coming Up Roses
THANKS GIRLFRIENDDDD. I love it. Bring on the abs.
I’ve heard lots of great things about Orange Theory, but I definitely don’t think I’d respond well to the high-intensity environment.
I don’t believe there are any gyms in my area that are doing HIIT yet, but I hope that one of them will start with it soon because I would like to check it out.
This sounds like fun! I mean, it will definitely kick my butt, but still sounds fun. 🙂 I’ll have to give it a try.
I hope you do! It’s an AWESOME way to get your cardio in!
there is an orange theory near by my house..i need to check it out. it sounds like a fun, intense workout.
It totally is! You’ll love it!
I’ve never tried HIIT in a gym class, but I love it at home! I’m a stay at home mom, so I love any workout that will give me the most bang for my buck. I love that I can do ten minutes, but still feel like I got a great workout!
Karin
truncationblog.com
YES! You definitely want to get the most out of your time!!
I LOVED the OT class I took a little while ago. They’re putting in a studio right near me. Thank you for the reminder that I need to go back when it opens!
You are so welcome!!
Everybody at work does OT! They RAVE about it, and when I’m not 1,000 weeks pregnant, I think I might try it!
LOL. Yes! It’ll be great for after baby! 🙂
This sounds like a great class! I’m pregnant so I’m always looking for ideas to get back into shape after baby comes.
I am NOT a fan of HIIT because I basically rely on falling into a mindless routine of working out lol! Maybe having a class like this would help me more, because I know the benefits to HIIT are neverending 🙂
It’s so unique and different for everyone. I think the key is to find a workout that fits YOU.
Nice! I love doing HIIT on my own, I’ve seen so much progress instead of traditional cardio…great stuff!
Yes! Thanks!
I know HIIT is the way to go. My friends swear by Orange Theory, and I totally need to get my butt in to a class. How about if u and I partner… I’ll do the treadmill and u do the rest. LOL The only exercise I can get myself to do is running. LOL
LOL. YES LETS PAIR UP. It’s so good for you, I know, but I just hate running.
I’ve heard OrangeTheory is quite challenging, so good for you! I love HIIT workouts, but like you say, it’s good to know your body, too. Thanks for this review!
You are so welcome!!
Yeah, i’m not sure I’d appreciate the staff yelling at me. LOL I mean, it’s true, you know your own body. Granted, I’m SO not in shape for something like this but I’m glad it works well for you.
I definitely think you need to work up to it. It wouldn’t be good if you’ve never worked out before.
I’ve been wanting to try this as well. But I am glad I read this post because I can walk for hours but I’m not in this kind of shape! I can get there but I would def need to modify or I will be with u not walking for a week!
Thanks! great post
LOL. Yes. I seriously couldn’t even sit down. It was pathetic. haha!
I have been seeing these classes everywhere!! I need to take them! I need all of the motivation that I can get!!
Being in a class setting definitely helps!
I love HIIT workouts! I’ve been wanting to try Orange Theory, too, so this was fun to read!
I love HIT classes. I have been wanting to try out Orange Theory Fitness. Thank you for sharing about HIT!
Such a timely post for me – I’ve been thinking about doing an Orange Theory class but have been a little intimidated!!! I regularly workout in barre classes, but not a traditional gym setting. I can’t tell you if I’ve ever used a rowing machine before honestly…but I’ve heard such great things about how good of a workout is that I want to give it a try. Good to hear you should only go once or twice a week – seems much more reasonable 🙂
Absolutely. If you already do barre, you could definitely jump in on this!
My friends always rave about their HIIT classes, and I always want to try it for myself! But I have to wait a little bit and gain some more weight first haha – otherwise I’ll lose too much doing all that cardio!
Love OrangeTheory!! It really is the best workout. Unfortunately we don’t have one that’s very close 🙁
This looks awesome…I don’t like going to a typical gym do this seems like it could be perfect!
Ugh all my friends keep raving about Orange Theory but I’ve never given in to their requests to join them. Now that I know all the other benefits, I don’t thin I can resist any longer!
I’m totally with you on the treadmill thing. I hate it! Would need to only do that for 5 minutes at a time. But you’re definitely making me want to change my regular gym routine to HIIT. Are these Orange Theory classes 30 minutes or one hour long?