There's always that one moment when people find out I'm a trainer and judge me accordingly. Recently, this occurred at a family dinner with my girlfriend's relatives. The topic shifted to OrangeTheory, a popular boot camp fitness program that combines strength training, cardio, and technological elements.
Katie, my girlfriend, had been going to a local franchise for a while, and everyone was curious to hear my thoughts on the exercise program.
People probably assumed I would attack OrangeTheory with the same ferocity I had just consumed a dessert. Everyone was taken aback by my response, but it serves as a helpful reminder when looking for the best exercise routine for you.
How to Find the Right Workout For You?
For over 15 years, I have been a trainer for various clients, including some very famous ones. However, my first response is often unexpected when asked for my opinion on a person's exercise routine.
I began by inquiring about the desired and actual frequency of physical activity each week.
The consistency ratio is the most underappreciated factor in determining which workout is best for you based on your goals and current physical condition. If you are given the world's best program but can only stick to it for a few months, you will be disappointed with the results. If you completed an inferior program 80% of the time for a year, you'd get much better results than the current strategy.
Is Orange Theory a Good Workout?
The sister of my current girlfriend. She finally started working out regularly for the first time in her life. So long as she wasn't in any discomfort, I told her to keep going.
Don't sweat the small stuff if you've found a solution. Maintain your presence. When it comes to Orange Theory specifically, there are aspects of the program that help in terms of consistency, the setting, and the exercises themselves.
Full-body Orange Theory workouts last an hour and incorporate cardio and weights to boost stamina, muscle strength, and explosiveness. Plus, heart rate monitors to track your improvement throughout the workout and display the data on monitors for everyone to see.
Where Orange Theory Can Improve
Before beginning an Orange Theory program, there are some things you should think about from a fitness perspective. Again, these aren't arguments against the strategy, just considerations that may make it a poor fit for you.
No Cycling Intensity
Combining 26-28 minutes of high-intensity circuit-based strength training with 26-28 minutes of treadmill-based cardio puts a lot of strain on the body for a long time.
My first issue with OrangeTheory is that it promotes extreme effort as a virtue without guaranteeing positive outcomes. What constitutes a "great" workout should be kept in mind. Intensity is necessary, but only when used correctly.
It's dangerous to define a "good" workout as one in which you burn 800 calories and leave the gym covered in sweat angels. Also, some people may believe they must "earn" food through strenuous workouts.