A common misconception about Orangetheory Fitness is that it is a cult. As a member for almost two years now, I have had moments where I could have been convinced I was a part of this cult.
For those who are not familiar with Orangetheory, it is an interval based workout class and is a members-only business. The classes are split between time on the treadmill, the rowing machine and the weight floor. Each workout is considered either a strength, endurance or power day. Sometimes it is a combination of all three. No workout is ever the same, which is one of the reasons I have loved the experience so much.
As a freshman and sophomore in college, for the first time in my life, I was on my own to put together workouts and motivate myself to get in the gym. I have always played sports year round, so that meant 2 hour practices every day after school and tournaments on the weekends. I didn't need the extra workouts on my own. My coaches were already kicking my butt five, sometimes seven, days a week.
As a result, I have found that I need the coach aspect of the workout to really drive me. I need to be motivated by those around me, whether that is in the form of a working to help the team or competing against one another. So, after taking a couple free classes, I joined Orangetheory with a plan that included eight classes a month. One month in, I knew only working out two times a week was not going to be enough to see a difference in my health and fitness, so I upped my plan to unlimited classes.
Now, back to the cult aspect of it all. By signing up for unlimited classes, I was already succumbing to their marketing, social media and sales efforts. Numerous deals were offered for discounted rates if I signed up for the unlimited plan. I fell for it right away.
After getting to know the coaches and front desk employees, they encouraged me to bring friends and family to class. Soon, I had another friend hooked. When she signed up, my name was entered into a raffle for three months of free classes. And I actually won! They got me again.
The studios constantly hold month long competitions and challenges that members can sign up for, and of course pay extra. Luckily, they haven't roped me into one of those yet. As a member with unlimited classes, what else can I gain from this? I already workout there at least four times a week. What else do they want from me? Besides my money, obviously.
They sell Orangetheory merchandise and even partner with Lululemon to create exclusive collections for members. Everyone loves showing off their gear, especially the hard-earned "Hell Week" shirts that are awarded to members after completing some of the most impossible workouts the week of Halloween. You have to pay extra for those too.
It really is true that the members, including myself, rave about the workouts and the results that come from it. I absolutely hate running long distances. My whole life, I have run sprints the length of the volleyball and basketball courts. I didn't need to be able to run several miles non-stop. Now, I have run 356 miles since joining. That is something I definitely would not have done on my own in the gym or outside.
It makes me feel accomplished when people say "Oh wow, I have heard that place is intense." I will talk about it to anyone who will listen. I try to get my friends to join me. I even got my mom into it at home now. She will text or call with her results from that day's benchmark row or run challenge. I think the members' willingness to share is one of the main reasons people associate Orangetheory with some version of a "cult."
When I attended class on Wednesday, we did a rowing challenge where we all had to row in sync. Imagine seven women rowing completely in sync for 12 minutes straight. The runners on the treadmill were striding almost in unison with the music as well. I did think to myself, "This is a little scary and would definitely look weird to someone on the outside."
All in all, there are aspects of Orangetheory that seem odd to outsiders and even cult-like, but I enjoy being a part of a group that wants to prioritize their health. It is the best feeling in the world to schedule my workout for the day and check that off my list. I never regret a workout afterward.
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