Orangetheory Fitness

Last updated
Orangetheory Fitness
Company type Private
Industry Fitness
Founded2010;14 years ago (2010)
FoundersDavid Long, Jerome Kern, Ellen Latham
Headquarters
Boca Raton, Florida
,
United States
Number of locations
1,500 [1]  (2023)
Areas served
 Australia, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Germany, Guatemala, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Puerto Rico, Singapore, Spain, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States
Parent Company Founders ( -2016), Roark Capital Group (2016- )
Website www.orangetheory.com

Orangetheory Fitness (OTF) is an American boutique fitness studio franchise based in Boca Raton, Florida. The first studio was established in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 2010 by founder, Ellen Latham. [2] The classes are one hour long and involve two groups, one on the treadmills and the other group working with weights or on rowers. [2] As of 2023, Orangetheory Fitness has over 1,500 studios throughout 50 US states and 24 countries. [3] Since its founding in 2010, the chain has expanded, surpassing $1 billion in systemwide sales in 2018. [4] As of 2020, the chain has over one million members. [5]

Contents

History

Orangetheory Fitness was founded by exercise physiologist Ellen Latham, Jerome Kern, and David Long in March 2010. [6] It is the successor to a Fort Lauderdale-based Pilates studio, "Ellen's Ultimate Workout", founded by Latham in the late 1990s. [6]

Orangetheory Fitness was ranked #415 in Inc. magazine's "Fastest-Growing Private Companies" list [7] and #255 in Entrepreneur magazine's 2016 "Franchise 500" list of top franchises in the world. [8] [9] Its position on the "Franchise 500" rose to #25 in 2019 [10] and #43 in 2020. [11]

COVID-19 pandemic response

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Orangetheory Fitness attempted to instill precautions to keep their employees and members safe. On March 17, 2020, all corporate-owned studios were closed. Franchisees were encouraged to follow their lead. [12]

Orangetheory Fitness paused all payments on their memberships during this closure. Corporate studios continued to pay their employees throughout this period. Due to their studios being closed, they developed at-home workouts to give members a way to exercise during this time. [12]

During the closure, Orangetheory Fitness' Medical Advisory Board developed a plan for reopening in order to attempt to reduce uncertainty while also keeping staff and members safe. The new policies implemented follow the guidelines created by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which consisted of "temperature checks before entry; reduced class sizes to maintain social distancing; redesigned workouts to minimize equipment cross-contamination; class scheduling modifications to allow for thorough sanitation protocols in between classes; training and implementation of electrostatic cleanings; temporarily closures of showers and towel service; recommended use of face masks by members; and required use personal protective equipment by all staff." [13] Despite reopening their studios, however, the decision was made to continue providing their at-home workouts. [13]

Overview

Orangetheory workouts are a form of high-intensity interval training, alternating between short periods of intense exercise and long recovery periods. [14] These hour-long sessions are designed to generate excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC). [14] Excess post-exercise oxygen consumption is a physiological concept that occurs after an elevation in oxygen consumption as the body returns to its pre-exercise state. [15]

Studios are split into three stations: treadmill, water-resistant rowing machines, and weight training. [14] Attendees cycle between these stations over the course of a session. [14] Workouts are categorized as emphasizing endurance, power, or strength, or a combination of the three. [14] Workout sessions are group exercises led by a coach. Classes are pre-designed and not divulged to attendees prior to arrival. [14]

Members can book classes through the Orangetheory app which displays the location, day and time of open classes as well as which coach will be teaching. Members have the option to book classes at any OTF location around the world. [16]

Technology

Heart rate monitors are to be worn around the chest, forearm, or wrist. All metrics are shown on screens within the studio and for updated studios, they are shown on tablets attached to the treadmills or rowers.

There are five heart rate zones used in the Orangetheory workout; grey, blue, green, orange, and red. [17]

  1. The grey zone is 0–60 percent of an attendee's maximum heart-rate and is equivalent to an attendee's resting heart rate. [17] [18]
  2. The blue zone is 61–70 percent of an attendee's maximum heart-rate. This is considered a warm-up period. [17]
  3. The green zone is 71–83 percent of an attendee's maximum heart-rate. This is considered an aerobic period of exercise. [17]
  4. The orange zone is 84–91 percent of an attendee's maximum heart-rate and when an attendee may reach EPOC. [17] [18]
  5. The red zone is 92–100 percent of a participant's maximum heart-rate and represents a period of extreme physical exertion by an attendee. [17]

Each attendee has the option to wear a branded heart rate monitor that is synchronized to a screen displaying performance metrics for the entire class. [14] Attendees are encouraged to accumulate "splat points," which are based on the amount of time spent in the orange and red heart rate zones, in order to achieve the EPOC effect. The recommended amount of splat points per class are 12-20, depending on your age, weight, and gender. [14] Statistics are delivered to each member after each workout via email and a mobile app. [14]

OTF recently partnered with InBody to give members the opportunity to see their body composition analysis through the InBody Test. [19] The test is performed by standing barefoot on the scale while it measures the weight. It then measures limb weight by standing still with arms out at a 45-degree angle while holding scanners. This 15 second test provides the user with a summary of statistics such as their metabolic rate, skeletal muscle mass, body fat percentage, and more. This test gives more information than a normal scale, allowing users to pinpoint areas of improvement. After completing the scan, users are asked to enter their email to get a copy of their in-depth summary.

Social involvement

Orangetheory Fitness hosts several challenges throughout the year, including the Transformation Challenge, Dri-Tri, Marathon, All Out Mayhem, Hell Week, Orange Voyage, Catch Me If You Can, Inferno, Capture the Flag, [20] and 12 Days of Fitness. [21] These challenges offer members themed workouts and apparel such as t-shirts, hats, or socks, for completing so many days of the challenge. [22]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aerobic exercise</span> Low to high intensity physical exercise

Aerobic exercise is physical exercise of low to high intensity that depends primarily on the aerobic energy-generating process. "Aerobic" is defined as "relating to, involving, or requiring oxygen", and refers to the use of oxygen to meet energy demands during exercise via aerobic metabolism adequately. Aerobic exercise is performed by repeating sequences of light-to-moderate intensity activities for extended periods of time. Examples of cardiovascular or aerobic exercise are medium- to long-distance running or jogging, swimming, cycling, stair climbing and walking.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Physical fitness</span> State of health and well-being

Physical fitness is a state of health and well-being and, more specifically, the ability to perform aspects of sports, occupations and daily activities. Physical fitness is generally achieved through proper nutrition, moderate-vigorous physical exercise, and sufficient rest along with a formal recovery plan.

Indoor cycling, often called spinning, is a form of exercise with classes focusing on endurance, strength, intervals, high intensity and recovery, and involves using a special stationary exercise bicycle with a weighted flywheel in a classroom setting. When people took cycling indoors in the late 19th century, whether for reasons of weather or convenience, technology created faster, more compact and efficient machines over time. The first iterations of the stationary bike ranged from the vertical Gymnasticon to regular bicycles on rollers.

V̇O2 max (also maximal oxygen consumption, maximal oxygen uptake or maximal aerobic capacity) is the maximum rate of oxygen consumption attainable during physical exertion. The name is derived from three abbreviations: "V̇" for volume (the dot over the V indicates "per unit of time" in Newton's notation), "O2" for oxygen, and "max" for maximum and usually normalized per kilogram of body mass. A similar measure is V̇O2 peak (peak oxygen consumption), which is the measurable value from a session of physical exercise, be it incremental or otherwise. It could match or underestimate the actual V̇O2 max. Confusion between the values in older and popular fitness literature is common. The capacity of the lung to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide is constrained by the rate of blood oxygen transport to active tissue.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elliptical trainer</span> Stationary exercise machine

An elliptical trainer or cross-trainer is a stationary exercise machine used to stair climb, walk, or run without causing excessive pressure to the joints, hence decreasing the risk of impact injuries. For this reason, people with some injuries can use an elliptical to stay fit, as the low impact affects them little. Elliptical trainers offer a non-impact cardiovascular workout that can vary from light to high intensity based on the speed of the exercise and the resistance preference set by the user.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Excess post-exercise oxygen consumption</span> Increased rate of oxygen intake following strenuous activity

Excess post-exercise oxygen consumption is a measurably increased rate of oxygen intake following strenuous activity. In historical contexts the term "oxygen debt" was popularized to explain or perhaps attempt to quantify anaerobic energy expenditure, particularly as regards lactic acid/lactate metabolism; in fact, the term "oxygen debt" is still widely used to this day. However, direct and indirect calorimeter experiments have definitively disproven any association of lactate metabolism as causal to an elevated oxygen uptake.

Aerobic conditioning is a process whereby the heart and lungs are trained to pump blood more efficiently, allowing more oxygen to be delivered to muscles and organs. The skeletal muscles also become aerobically conditioned, as regular aerobic exercise produces a shift in muscle fibres from more type II into more type I (slow-twitch/oxidative). Type I muscle fibres have far more mitochondria than type II, making type I fibres the producers of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) primarily through oxidative phosphorylation rather than anaerobic glycolysis. Some neuromuscular diseases recommend regular aerobic exercise in order for the skeletal muscles to become aerobically conditioned, providing relief of symptoms or slowing the course of the disease, for example metabolic myopathies and Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Circuit training is a form of body conditioning that involves endurance training, resistance training, high-intensity aerobics, and exercises performed in a circuit, similar to high-intensity interval training. It targets strength building and muscular endurance. An exercise "circuit" is one completion of all set exercises in the program. When one circuit is completed, one begins the first exercise again for the next circuit. Traditionally, the time between exercises in circuit training is short and often with rapid movement to the next exercise.

<i>Yourself!Fitness</i> 2004 video game

Yourself!Fitness is an exercise video game, developed by Respondesign. It was published first for the Xbox, and later for PlayStation 2 and Microsoft Windows. Through a publishing deal with Ubisoft, Yourself!Fitness was ported to and released on the Wii in December 2008 under the name My Fitness Coach.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Health club</span> Place which houses exercise equipment for the purpose of physical exercise

A health club is a place that houses exercise equipment for the purpose of physical exercise.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Outline of exercise</span> Overview of and topical guide to exercise

The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to exercise:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bruce protocol</span> Test of physical fitness and cardiac health

The Bruce protocol is a standardized diagnostic test used in the evaluation of cardiac function and physical fitness, developed by American cardiologist Robert A. Bruce.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bulgarian bag</span>

The Bulgarian bag, also known as the Bulgarian training bag, is a crescent-shaped exercise equipment used in strength training, plyometric weight training, cardiovascular training, and general physical fitness. The bags are made of leather or canvas and filled with sand; they weigh from 11 pounds (5.0 kg) to 50 pounds (23 kg) and have flexible handles to allow for both upper and lower body training, and for building grip strength.

BodyAttack is a commercial group-fitness sports inspired cardio workout program including some sports-derived movements, aimed primarily at developing cardiovascular fitness. The program is created and distributed by Les Mills International. There is a release with new music and movements every three months. In the UK, it is offered at around 1,300 health and fitness facilities, approximately one fifth of such facilities in the country. It consists of a standardized class that is either 55, 45 or 30 minutes in length, led by a certified instructor who leads participants through various exercises to a contemporary music soundtrack. Like BodyPump and other Les Mills programs, the movements, exercises and music are standardized for all instructors. The aim is to develop numerous domains of physical fitness, particularly cardiovascular fitness and stamina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rebound exercise</span>

Rebound exercise is a type of elastically leveraged low-impact exercise usually performed on a device known as a rebounder—sometimes called a "mini-trampoline" or "fitness trampoline"—which is directly descended from regular sports or athletic trampolines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barre (exercise)</span> Form of physical exercise

Barre is a form of physical exercise, usually conducted in group classes in gyms or specialty studios. It is distinguished from other group fitness activities by its use of the ballet barre and its incorporation of movements derived from ballet. These classical dance movements and positions are combined with those drawn from yoga and pilates, and other equipment is sometimes used in addition to the barre, such as resistance bands, yoga straps, exercise balls and hand weights. Barre classes typically focus on small, pulsing movements with emphasis on form, alignment and core engagement. Participants hold their bodies still while contracting specific, targeted sets of muscles in isometric exercises. Repetitions tend to be high, range-of-motion small, and weights, when used, light. Barre classes focus on the lower body and core, developing strength and flexibility from the ankles up though the calves, knees, thighs, glutes and abdominals. Holding muscles in contraction for extended periods frequently leads to them shaking as they fatigue. This is particularly true of thighs, as the quadriceps tire.

Rock My Run is a mobile running/fitness app founded in 2011 that provides running and workout music in the form of DJ mixes. It is owned by Rock My World, Inc., a health and fitness technology company based in San Diego, California. The app allows users to listen to these professional DJ mixes on their smartphone while running or working out to enhance and motivate their performance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peloton Interactive</span> Exercise equipment manufacturer

Peloton Interactive, Inc. is an American exercise equipment and media company based in New York City. The company's products are stationary bicycles, treadmills, and indoor rowers equipped with Internet-connected touch screens that stream live and on-demand fitness classes through a subscription service. The equipment includes built-in sensors that track metrics such as power output, providing users with real-time feedback on their performance and leaderboard rankings to compete with other users.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jacki Sorensen</span> Originator of aerobic dancing

Jacki Sorensen is the American originator of aerobic dancing, popularly known as aerobics. Inspired by Dr. Kenneth H. Cooper's 1968 book on aerobic exercise, she created for women an aerobic dance routine to music in 1969 in Puerto Rico, teaching U.S. Air Force wives. She expanded this concept into a teaching method and studio franchise, Aerobic Dancing Inc., that rose to 1,500 locations and 4,000 instructors teaching 170,000 students in 1981 at its peak.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fitness (Apple)</span> Mobile application developed by Apple

Fitness, formerly Activity, is an exercise tracking companion app announced by Apple Inc. during their September 2014 Special Event. The app is available on iPhones running iOS 8.2 or above for users with a connected Apple Watch, later expanding to all iPhones regardless of Watch connectivity with the release of iOS 16. The application displays a summary view of user's recorded workouts from the Apple Watch or supported third-party apps and exercise equipment, as well as acting as the home for all Apple Fitness+ content.

References

  1. ↑ "Orangetheory Fitness location count". Orangetheory. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
  2. 1 2 Valverde, M. (2014, February 19). Orangetheory Fitness in healthy expansion mode. Sun Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, FL), p. 1D. Available from NewsBank
  3. ↑ "Orangetheory® Fitness Taps Grammy Award®-Winning Director Dave Meyers for Latest Advertising Campaign". February 28, 2023 – via Club Industry.
  4. ↑ Dominic, Anthony (February 4, 2019). "Orangetheory Fitness Exceeds $1 Billion in 2018 System-Wide Revenue". Club Industry. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  5. ↑ Bondy, Halley (January 2, 2020). "Fired at 40, comeback at 54: How Ellen Latham built fitness giant Orangetheory". NBC News . Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  6. 1 2 Lima, Debora (April 17, 2016). "Fort Lauderdale-based Orangetheory Fitness grows 'like wildfire'". Miami Herald . Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  7. ↑ "Orangetheory Fitness: Number 415 on the 2015 Inc. 5000".
  8. ↑ "Orangetheory Fitness: Number 255 on Entrepreneur magazine's 2016 "Franchise 500" list".
  9. ↑ Herold, Tracy Stapp (6 February 2015). "Top Fastest-Growing Franchises for 2015".
  10. ↑ "Orangetheory Fitness: Number 25 on Entrepreneur magazine's 2019 "Franchise 500" list".
  11. ↑ "Orangetheory Fitness: Number 43 on Entrepreneur magazine's 2020 "Franchise 500" list".
  12. 1 2 Orangetheory® Fitness to Close All Corporate-Owned Studios Amid COVID-19 Pandemic. (2020, April 5). Medical Letter on the CDC & FDA, 436.
  13. 1 2 Orangetheory Fitness studios reopen. (2020, May 20). Journal Record
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Hosie, Rachel (March 3, 2019). "Why the world is obsessed with Orangetheory, the heart rate-monitoring workout that hit $1 billion in sales in a single year". Business Insider. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  15. ↑ Lecovin, Geoff. "(EPOC) Exploring Excess Post-Exercise Oxygen Consumption". blog.nasm.org. Retrieved 2021-09-03.
  16. ↑ "How Do I Book A Class". Orangetheory Fitness.
  17. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Group, Sinclair Broadcast (2016-04-01). "Orangetheory takes science, fitness to the next level". DC Refined. Retrieved 2020-02-19.
  18. 1 2 Yi, Nicole (2018-06-04). "Orangetheory Fitness: What the 5 Different Zones on Display Mean". POPSUGAR Fitness. Retrieved 2021-09-03.
  19. ↑ InBody. "InBody Partners with Orangetheory® Fitness to Advance Technology Offerings with Body Composition Analysis". Cision PR Newswire.
  20. ↑ Al, Eliass (2022-10-19). "OrangeTheory's Capture the Flag Workout [Guide]". Ectomorphing. Retrieved 2022-10-20.
  21. ↑ Al, Eliass (2022-10-15). "OrangeTheory's 12 Days of Fitness 2022 [What You Should Know]". Ectomorphing. Retrieved 2022-10-20.
  22. ↑ Orangetheory Fitness. "Seven Events to Flex Your Competitive Muscles". Orangetheory Fitness.
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