Orangetheory for Beginners: How to Get Started | Verywell Shape (2024)

Starting a workout program can be intimidating, especially if you don’t know where to begin. With so many options out there, it can be overwhelming to figure out which one is right for you.

However, have you heard of Orangetheory Fitness? It’s a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workout that has become increasingly popular among fitness enthusiasts.

It’s known for its effective and efficient approach to fitness, and it’s perfect for individuals who are looking to kick-start their fitness journey.

Here, I will guide you through how to get started with Orangetheory Fitness.

How to Get Started with Orange Theory?

1. Schedule Your First Class

Sign up for classes. You will have to answer for it. You can even do it every day for a whole month. Just sit down and plan out your classes for the next month.

2. Get a good water bottle for yourself

You should drink a lot of water every day, ideally half your body weight in ounces. This will be very helpful. If you don’t have a water bottle yet, get one.

3. Tell your family and friends about your plans.

When you tell someone else what you want to do, they can help hold you accountable. It also makes you feel like you can go out there and do your best.

It also gets other people to join in. Maybe your family will start eating better and getting more exercise with you. So, tell some close friends and family about your goals.

4. Keep track of what you eat and how much water you drink.

Keeping track of what you eat is important not only so you know how many calories you ate for the day but also so you don’t eat mindlessly.

This will make you think about the food you eat. By the way, exercise apps are a great way to keep track of what you eat.

People who work out at an Orangetheory gym will be able to show before and after pictures.

5. Don’t Let Your Weekends Ruin Your Progress

You can ruin your whole week by going to the Cheesecake Factory. If you want to reach your health goal, you need to make a few changes to how you spend your weekends. But there will be good times and bad times.

There is no need to be perfect. It’s about getting better.

Find other Orangetheory members or even someone who isn’t from your area. Keep up with them on social media.

Find groups on social media so you can talk with other people about Orange Theory changes before and after.

6. Don’t be afraid

The next tip is to not let the machine scare you. Believe in yourself. More than anywhere else in the gym, the machine will show you how much you’ve improved.

Orangetheory Fitness Beginner Tips (FROM A BEGINNER!)

7. Don’t compare yourself to others.

Don’t look at the people on the bikes or rowing machines next to you. Keep track of your own numbers. Don’t play that game of comparing. It makes no difference. This is about being the best form of yourself, so you should only think about yourself.

8. Find a Coach Who Inspires You

The next tip is to find a teacher you really like and connect with and keep going to their classes. If you’ve started going to Orangetheory but don’t like your teacher, try again with a different one.

Certain things are needed by some people. Go to that teacher if you need someone to get you excited and pumped up. Go talk to that teacher if you need someone who is more calm and upbeat. Everyone has a unique attitude. And once you feel that bond, you’ll keep coming back.

9. Be Involved

The next piece of advice is to do everything OTF. Every year, each gym has a couple of different things to offer. There will be a makeover challenge, different runs, and events for the whole community.

Not everything needs to be done by you. But being a part of the community and going to different events will make you more responsible because people will get to know you better.

People will expect to see you at certain events, and when you’re not there, they’ll ask you why. At an Orangetheory gym, friends work out together.

10. Make Friends

Get your name out there and make friends with all of the personal trainers at your school. All of them are real. And one of the reasons they got their jobs is that they are people. So, make sure you’re talking to them and getting to know them.

Talk to the people in your studio who sell things. Ask them how they spent the day. They want to know you better.

Those small bits of conversation and seeing familiar faces can only help with that sense of accountability.

Also, it makes you happy and excited to go somewhere and see someone you know.

11. Get Comfortable

Tell your personal coaches how you’re doing. They want to see that the time and effort you and they are both putting in is paying off for you.

Don’t be hard on yourself. Don’t try to beat anyone else in that room except yourself. Try to do better today than you did yesterday. If you’re hurting, take a break. Then make sure to go back and trust the process even more.

By going to Orangetheory and starting to work out, you change the way you think. You don’t want to work out because you ate something bad. Instead, you want to go to the gym and work out to see what your body can do now and how much better it will be today.

Will you hit a new PR? Will you be able to row with more watts? Will you try to lift more weight? Will you increase your normal pace?

All of these things that you can measure show you how much better you are getting. Orangetheory is a great way to figure out how well you are doing.

What to expect at your first Orangetheory Fitness class?

Additional Tips for OTF Beginners

Tip #1: Wear the Right Gear

When it comes to Orangetheory Fitness, wearing the right gear is crucial. You’ll want to wear comfortable workout clothes that allow you to move freely.

You’ll also need to wear athletic shoes that provide support and stability. It’s important to avoid wearing anything too loose or anything that may get caught in the equipment.

You’ll also need to bring a water bottle and a towel because you’ll be sweating a lot!

Tip #2: Focus on Your Heart Rate

During an Orangetheory Fitness workout, you’ll wear a heart rate monitor that will track your heart rate throughout the workout.

The goal is to spend a certain amount of time in each heart rate zone to maximize calorie burn and improve cardiovascular fitness.

The five heart rate zones are gray, blue, green, orange, and red. Gray and blue zones are considered low-intensity, green is moderate intensity, and orange and red are high-intensity.

You’ll want to aim for at least 12-20 minutes in the orange and red zones during each workout.

Tip #3: Listen to Your Body

It’s important to listen to your body during an Orangetheory Fitness workout. If you’re feeling tired or sore, it’s okay to take a break or modify the exercise.

The coaches are trained to provide modifications for any exercise, so don’t be afraid to ask for help.

It’s better to take a break and prevent injury than to push yourself too hard and end up hurting yourself.

Tip #4: Have Fun!

Most importantly, remember to have fun! Orangetheory Fitness is a challenging workout, but it’s also a fun and supportive community.

Everyone in the class is working towards their own fitness goals, so don’t worry about comparing yourself to others. Just focus on doing your best and enjoying the workout.

MUST KNOW TIPS as an Orangetheory Fitness Beginner

Conclusion

Starting a fitness journey can be challenging, but Orangetheory Fitness makes it easy to get started. By scheduling your first class, wearing the right gear, focusing on your heart rate, listening to your body, and having fun, you’ll be well on your way to achieving your fitness goals.

Remember, everyone starts somewhere, so don’t be afraid to take that first step towards a healthier lifestyle!