I tried Orange Theory in Wellesley. Here’s how it went:

Review of Orangetheory fitness in Wellesley, MA

Orangetheory Fitness is a boutique exercise studio with multiple locations. It offers monthly memberships with different rates for either 4, 8, or unlimited classes per month, as well as 10, 20 or 30 pack sets that expire in a year.

How much does it cost? At the time of this writing, prices in Wellesley were $179 for unlimited per month, $119 for 8 monthly classes, $79 for 4 monthly classes, $499 for 30 classes, $359 for 20 and $199 for 10 – PLUS either a one time fee of $99 or $69 for a heart rate monitor OR rent one for $10 additional per class. I bolded that for you because I somehow missed this in the paperwork and swear it wasn’t mentioned in my introduction. When I did my free class, they gave me a heart rate monitor to borrow and didn’t mention that they were an additional cost. For my 10 class package, renting it would drive my price up to $30 per class from $20. Buying it if I didn’t renew would drive my price up to $29.90 per class or $26.90 per class depending on my heart rate monitor choice. Sure, future classes wouldn’t have the additional cost, but since the whole point of buying ten classes was to see if I like it, I had no confidence I’d be back to capitalize on that investment. And no, you can’t wear the heartrate monitor you already own, it won’t hook into their technology. (So you could, but no splat points for you.)

Class Length: 1 hour

Description: The class splits your time between two stations: cardio consisting of intervals between the rowing machine and the treadmill, and strength which is sets of different floor exercises using a variety of mat, TRX, resistance band, and free weights.

Heart Rate: Orangetheory is a heart rate based workout strategy where their goal is for you to keep your heart rate in the orange or red “burn” category for 12-20 minutes. Heart rate monitors display your current heart rate in a color-coded circle up on the monitors visible for you (and the rest of the class) to see how many minutes you’ve spent in the orange/red “splat” zone and letting you know if you’re pushing hard enough or perhaps too hard according to the Orangetheory hypothesis.

Studio amenities: 

Street parking, metered, limited. There’s a parking lot within a few minutes walking distance, but know you’re going to potentially circle for parking and need a few extra minutes to get to class.

Lockers are small and don’t lock.

There are several bathrooms that also have showers in them – bring your own towel and shower supplies.

Refillable water bottle station right in the studio space.

My experience: 

I came into Orangetheory hoping to find a quick workout closer to home that’d cut down on my travel time while still giving me some much-needed incentive to strength-train. Despite owning that beautiful TRX Greg installed for me (without even rolling his eyes, that’s love) I basically never do any strength training. This puts me at a higher risk of injury and lowers the potential I reach with my running. Not ideal.

Orangetheory is nice because it has strength training and cardio but isn’t too intense on either. I felt able to work to my level and get some strength training in without feeling too sore the next day. Large monitors display the exercises and rep count for each one, and then after seeing the instructor demo it, people in the strength group do the repeats at their own pace and weight selection using the monitor for a reminder. The instructors in both classes I’ve taken have come over to help me with technique on multiple occasions, which is always appreciated and was definitely necessary.

I think the heart rate monitor is a great way for people who are re-entering the exercise world to feel confident that they’re pushing and focus on the effort they’re putting in, not the distance or speed they’re getting back.

The first time I did class, I used the heart rate monitor, and it actually slowed me down when I was on the treadmill. I was raking in splat points at my half marathon pace and so I slowed down so I would meet their “zone goals” or splat point goals. But… I didn’t feel like I had gotten as good a workout because of it afterward. That was sort of ok with me, because it meant that this could be a good non-running day activity where I get in light cardio, keep it light, and do my strength training and still run the next day.

The second time I did class, I opted not to use the heart rate monitor, because honestly there’s no way I believe the data is worth paying 50% more per class. I’m there to get strength training I wouldn’t otherwise, throw in enough cardio to make me feel good and sweat a little for the endorphins, and then go run another day. Oh, and to see some people I know since it’s a local class, hi guys! Love the community vibe.

A few things aren’t my fav: While I love the variety in the workout, the corrections I got while weight lifting, and the vibe that people could all gauge their own pace and really personalize their workout using the heart rate technology, there were a few things I didn’t love.

1. The music is painfully loud. This isn’t hyperbole – I forgot my earplugs for the first class and literally felt pain, held my head in my hands at one point while I was running, and had to go out and ask them to look one more time for earplugs which thankfully they found so I could complete the workout. The trouble with avoiding hearing loss with the earplugs, though, is that it makes it harder to hear the instructor when they’re giving instructions. So you can choose between pain and clarity or comfort and confusion.
2. Both times I’ve been in class the instructors have used physical appearance as a motivator during exercises. I’m there to be healthier, stronger and more energized – to maintain the strength and mobility to do the things I love as I age. I’m not there for the false promise of a flat abdomen on the beach in the summer because even though “thankfully you’ve got months to get there!” (direct quote) that’s not why I’m there and I don’t think focusing on body image is a healthy or positive way to motivate people. Gross.
3. It’s hard to get into the class times you want. When I did my sample class, I had to wait three weeks out to book into the class time and day of the week I wanted. During those three weeks, I received an email from Orangetheory every 2 days as well as a phone call reminding me that I hadn’t signed up for a package yet. I didn’t want to sign up for a package until closer to the date of the class I could get into and take because it’d reduce my package expiration date if I signed early. Not a huge deal, but be careful what email address you give them because you’re going to get a lot of emails if you don’t fork over for a membership pronto. The need to book classes in advance because they fill up could be frustrating for people who’ve paid for classes per month or who are using it as their exclusive way to work out. A note on that: I was told I won’t make progress if you’re not there a minimum of 2-3x a week – they really want to be your fitness solution, not your fitness supplement. Eh. I think some strength training once a week is a great idea for me since it’s that or zero, not that or me there 3x per week.

Overall – this is a good strength and cardio combo that’ll give you a nice workout and where you’ve got a little data to help you pinpoint the right level of effort for you in order to make good progress. It’s pricey per class and for the unlimited package you’d probably do better at a gym where you’ve got extra amenities like yoga classes and a steam room for the same monthly price or less, but for a local option that’ll get you doing some guided strength training and hitting some cardio intervals it’s a solid choice. I’ll enjoy riding out the rest of my class package, and then I think I’ll do my due diligence and really try to learn my TRX.

Know before you go:

Bring earplugs

Weightlifting gloves are a good idea to protect your hands from the rowers and free weights

Leave valuables at home, the lockers don’t lock

They want you to wear different shoes in the studio than you wear on the street

Bring a water bottle

When you arrive you’ll either get a treadmill card and start on a treadmill, or you’ll start on a rower or on the floor based on their instructions. Wherever you start, look at your station number. That’ll tell you which treadmill, rower, or floor space to use throughout the entire class. Wipe off your machines / equipment with a sanitizing wipe when you’re done.