Hi all, happy Friday! We are still in Anchorage, Alaska. We are just starting our eleventh week into our assignment. We are really enjoying our time here, and can’t believe it’s coming to an end! We’ve done a lot of great things on our assignment, and let me tell you, our last few weekends are packed! I’m so excited to tell you all the fun things to do in Anchorage during the winter. One piece of advice, accept that winter assignment in Anchorage. You won’t be sorry.
During our month of love, Nick and I took a sourdough class. We really enjoyed learning another skill. I originally thought we’d do the class, then that’d be it. I was definitely wrong, and we are continuing this hobby. We’ve made a few loaves in the last couple weeks. It’s been a lot of fun. Any of my Anchorage readers, the house of bread in Anchorage holds an awesome sourdough class. It’s such a good experience, and we highly recommend it!
I’ve recently gotten a lot of questions about Orangetheory. I figured I would talk a little bit about it, especially because we are celebrating Orangetheory’s birthday this week! Before I go in great detail, I wanna make sure you know this isn’t a sponsored post. I’m writing it because my husband and I truly enjoy the workout, and want to spread that joy.
As you know, I’m a travel nurse that works in various parts of the United States. I originally joined Orangetheory for multiple reasons. My husband and I used to work out prior to Orangetheory. When I say worked out, we did Couch to 5k, and went on a lot of walks outside.
There was no lifting weights, hills, or running long stretches. I used to say I pushed myself, but now that I’ve done Orangetheory, I definitely didn’t push myself. I was lifting a heavy patient at work, and realized how weak I was… it was truly embarrassing, and something needed to change. I looked into Orangetheory, and convinced my husband to come along. I’m not going to lie, part of me joined thinking it would help me only lose weight. A year later, we are still hooked on Orangetheory, and it’s a lot more than just losing weight.
Ready to learn a little more about Orangetheory? Let’s do it.
What exactly is Orangetheory?
You probably have heard about Orangetheory or seen one, but do you know what it actually is? Yes, a gym, but what kind of gym? How is this “gym” different from another workout class or gym?
Orangetheory offers a full hour body workout, along with other specialized classes, like the new tread 50 and strength 50. Each day is a new workout, which focuses on either endurance, strength, and sometimes even a combination of them both. Each class integrates the treadmill, rower, and weight floor.
The workouts designed by orangetheory, focus on the science of “excess post-exercise oxygen consumption”. The goal is to maintain a target heart rate that stimulates the metabolism and increases energy. One of the coaches explained it as, “the afterburn after 36 hours post workout”. This is measured with a heart rate monitor and the zones you hit during your workout. We’ll cover zones in a little bit!
Heart rate monitors
The heart rate monitors show your heart rate, how many calories you’ve burned, along with your “splat points”. The monitor stores this information, along with how many meters you row, and how far you walk/run during each workout. You can find this information on the technology friendly, orangetheory app. This is where you also sign up for classes. During your first free workout, you’ll borrow a studio monitor to track your progress. They are for sale commercially in the studios or you can rent one daily.
All those orangetheory terms…
BASE, PUSH, AND ALL OUT…
Now I’m not talking about Anchorage Orangetheory moose’s yall. Check out these lovely friends that often sit outside Orangetheory. My husband and I have named them base, push, and all out.
Back to business, I love Orangetheory because you can push yourself, as much as you want! You can walk the whole class, walk/jog, or simply run the whole time. Orangetheory’s tread portion, bases on base, push, and all out. Let’s discuss them all!
Base
This is your active recovery/warm up phase. You should be able to look at the person next to you and have a conversation.
Push
Like a lot of the coaches say, get uncomfortable. When the coach yells push, you are increasing your speeds to the point you are uncomfortable, and feeling “tired”. Whether that means, increasing your speed, or increasing your incline. This will depend on the class, and whether you classify yourself as a power walker, jogger, or runner. Please see the chart below to break it up.
All out
This is where you empty the tank, and give it all you got. During an all out, you should be in the orange zone, and even in the red zone. Now let’s touch on zones.
Zones
Everyone has different personal goals of going into Orangetheory. A goal can be losing weight, gaining muscle, or even running for a longer period of time each class. The zones help with achieving these goals. Check out the zone chart to break it down a little bit. The goal is to spend about 12 minutes in the orange zone, and 5 minutes in the red zone to achieve that “after burn”. When I first heard this, I thought it sounded too hard, and I wouldn’t achieve that. Trust me, you’ll hit that goal early in the class. You’ll mostly hit it during the push and all out phases. These phases are also used on the rower, not just the tread!
What the heck is a splat point?
Splat points are the total amount of time spent in the orange and red zone. For example, if you spend 12 minutes in the orange and red zone, you’ll get 12 splat points. Typically I get anywhere from 12-20 splat points per class. Depends on how much I push myself. When we first started, I spent a lot of time in the red. I was getting 30+ splat points. You determine what zone you want to hit, and how much you want to push yourself.
Who goes to Orangetheory?
Orangetheory is filled with people of all sizes, and athletic capabilities. It truly is a nonjudgmental zone and everyone respects each other.
Getting started
Definitely take advantage of the first free class. This is where you’ll decide if this gym is right for you.
Memberships
After that first free class, they will talk to you about the different memberships available. The costs differ depending on the location of the studio. Anyone at the front desk can assist you on deciding what would work best for you.
Etiquettes
During your first week, you’ll learn a few of the Orangetheory etiquettes. First off, wipe your machine, and everything you touch after finishing. It’s just simply a common curiosity. Second, when you enter class, you’ll pick a machine number. That number is yours for the whole class. If you choose rower 2, you’ll be on machine 2 on the treadmill and weight floor.
Benchmarks and Contests
Honestly, I really enjoy the benchmark classes. It allows you to see how you are progressing. We just did a 12 minute tread benchmark and I was happy that I progressed. We are in the middle of a transformation challenge. You complete an in studio body scan, and choose to lose body fat or gain more muscle. All of these contests and benchmarks are truly a completion with yourself. It really has helped me be accountable.
Frequently asked questions
How much running can you do in one block?
You typically are running anywhere from 20-30 minutes. During this time frame, you are having walking breaks in between the pushes and all outs. You can also power walk during this time. Typically my husband and I run anywhere from 1.5-2.0 miles depending on if we are power walking or jogging.
How many calories do you burn?
Typically, you can burn from 500-1000 calories per class. It depends on your weight, and how hard you are pushing yourself. There are times that some people will burn over 1000+ calories. My husband will often ask me, “did you work out?” because he typically burns a lot more calories than me. I can never understand it because I have more splat points! Your heart rate monitor/app will inform you of your calories burned at the end of class. Another benefit of the heart rate monitor!
Can you start from ground 0?
Absolutely! Start power walking, and move up to intermittent jogging. You can also start with 8lb and 10lb weights. Almost every workout has an alternative if you can’t do it. This is also helpful for people with injuries. If you have an injury, it doesn’t mean you can’t participate. Ask the coach for an alternative workout. I don’t have the best hips, therefore, there are a few of the workouts that I struggle with. They are always happy to give modifications, which still help you gain strength, but won’t hurt you. Everyone needs to start somewhere. My husband and I started out with power walking and worked up to adding in jogging/running.
Does my weight restrict me in any way?
My plus size friends, there is no weight restriction and your weight will not restrict you in any way. It’s “plus size friendly” in the sense that no one is going to judge you for your weight or limit you on any machines/workouts.
Will I look stupid?
ABSOLUTELY NOT. Honestly, Orangetheory is really a judge free zone. For real though, no one really cares or is paying attention to what you are doing. The coaches are… they are always so willing to give feedback! This feedback ensures you are getting the most from a workout and also not hurting yourself.
Do you always workout with your partner? Is it hard to fit in the workout into your week?
Nick and I have been working out in the mornings before work for almost a year! It gives us time to spend together and work on ourselves as a team. It’s not hard at all to fit it in our weekly routine. We even spend big days, like moving days to our next assignment or even our anniversary!
What’s the difference between all the classes?
2G, 3G, tread 50, strength 50, 90 minute 3g… so many words and not much explanation. Let’s break it down a little! A 2G workout is two separate groups using three different workout stations (tread, rower, and weight floor). This is often used for smaller classes. A 3G workout has three separate groups using three different workout stations (tread,rower, and weight floor). A 3G is used more often with bigger classes. Tread 50 is a newer class that’s being offered. This is a self led class for 50 minutes of just being on the treadmill. If you want to test your limits and get those splat points, sign up for a tread50. A strength 50 is an instructor lead 50 minute session just on the weight floor. I really enjoy these classes! The studio in Anchorage Alaska, currently is offering 90 minute classes on saturday mornings. Typically, if I’m not working, my husband and I will take it. This is a 90 minute class using all three stations each for 30 minutes. It doesn’t feel super long (unless you are on a rower LOL), but you will definitely be tired after.
Comment if you have any other questions!
Find an Orange Theory near you
As of 2023, Orangetheory has over 1,500 studios! You can find a list of their studios on their website. www.orangetheory.com. My husband and I love Orangetheory because it works great with our travel nursing. We can always find a studio. The Anchorage Alaska location is our 9th studio that we’ve worked out in. If you are in Anchorage, Alaska and interested in taking a class, come join us! The coaches and staff are phenomenal!
Happy birthday week Orangetheory! We are so glad you came into our lives!
This wraps up the our review of Orangetheory. Stay up to date on our Alaska journey, travel tips and suggestions, and of course Flicks_withnick movie reviews online. Give us a follow on Instagram or subscribe.
TravelingbeebryantRN & Flicks_withNick 
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