Orangetheory Fitness Westchase – Tampa

Do you know how hard it is to cancel a membership here? I canceled in September 2014. I filled out all the paperwork and brought it in personally to cancel. Every single month for the past 10 months, they have continued to try to charge my credit card. In November I had them blocked from charging, so now I even get a call to go with it about the declined charge.
Over and over I’m asked to fill out these papers again, which I did in December, yet they still called me today after trying to charge my credit card once again. After I explained everything to them they tell me «they are just trying to help me get this straightened out.» You have received my cancellation paperwork twice, you have spoken with me numerous times, just do your job and cancel it. If the former owner/​manager was an ethical and committed fraud that is on orange theory not on me.

Orange Theory Fitness is a combination of fast paced group classes + interval training. Every hour long session (actually 53 minutes) includes a combination of treadmill running, rowing and various weight training routines.
Their system is designed to keep you at a Base pace for approximately 32 – 35 minutes and at a hard, high interval pace for 12 – 15 minutes.
What is it?
You don’t work out on your own and you don’t work one-​on-​one with a personal trainer. These are group classes lead by a trainer that incorporates the science behind interval training (aka HIIT).
There are three stations a) treadmill b) row machines and c) weights.
Each one hour class consists of approximately 40% cardio, 40% weights and 20% row.
You never do the same thing for more than 10 minutes so your body never gets used to a one exercise.
Unique Features:
A) Calorie Monitor
Burning calories is like a video game!
You run faster and your name heats up and your calories expended go up quickly.
You run or workout slower, you’re name getting colder, and your calories move the pace of molasses.
It’s like Sonic the Hedgehog but instead of racking up rings, you’re racking up calories.
Grey– Nothing
Blue — Slacker, pick it up!
Green — Cool, optimum fat burning pace
Orange — You’re heating up!
Red — Your in the zone, and you’re calories are raking up faster than points on a pinball machine
You can see the number get higher by the second. You don’t want your name to be in blue or grey but you also don’t want to be in orange and red for more than about 20 minutes.
B) Heart Monitor
At the beginning of each class, you’re given a heart monitor shaped liked an oval pod to put around your body with a special strap.
It detects your heart rate and the system adjusts your calories on the monitors from this data.
C) Orange, Orange + More Orange
The founder must have loved the color orange because everything is in orange. The lights, row machines, décor, paint, lighting, etc… it’s all in orange.
If you don’t like this color then this gym will sicken you :-)
D) Mobile App
You can schedule and book your classes on their mobile app. They just upgraded it to be more user friendly and if you like a specific trainer, you can schedule your classes more than a week out, if you’re so inclined.
Me, being the non-​planner I am, book my classes 10 minutes beforehand: p
Cost:
$ 160 a month for unlimited classes. They have lesser plans but are totally worthless and ends up being way more expensive.
It’s month to month so you don’t have to sign a contact. There are no enrollment fees.
I’m okay with the cost. I person trainer would put you through the exact same routines for $ 60 a session, on the lower end.
So if you attend a class just 15 days out of a full month then the cost per class ends up being $ 10.66 each. You go more and the cost goes down.
You’re not getting 1-​on-​1 personal service but you’re getting the next best thing at less than ¹⁄₅ of the cost.
My Opinion:
I work in marketing for a living so I can tell you, with 100% certainty, that you need to take everything most companies (especially franchises) tell you with a grain of salt. I’m a true optimist but a little pessimism is never bad.
I think that some of their calculations are implausible based on what I know to be true.
Your calories burned doesn’t take into account your age, gender, weight… just your heart. So I wonder if the calories shown on the monitor are 100% true. My thinking is that they are slightly inflated, as well as the amount of «after burn» you’re supposedly getting.
So you’ve got to be asking yourself why I’m write still giving Orange Therapy 5-​stars?
Almost every company does the same thing. I’m de-​sensitized to it by now.
It’s become, more or less, an expectation that I’m aware of but can move past if a company doesn’t go to far in «left field.»
I’m willing to give Orange Therapy Fitness the benefit of the doubt because overall, their science is legit, even thought their numbers are a little padded.
Because, at the end of the day, the ultimate question you and me want to know is: does this work?
And I think the answer is yes and this is one of the best put toe heather interval programs I’ve seen in a while.
I did the math on and even if they’re off by 20−30%, it’s still worth your time and money.
Even if your 750 calories burned are really 550, that’s still pretty good.
It’s better than nothing and if you went to the gym by yourself, you’d probabely burn 200 – 300 because you’d either not push yourself enough or quit after the first twenty minutes.
HIIT training works and if you can get in at least three times a week + maintain a good diet, I’m 99.9% sure you’ll see results. I’ve been more than please with them so far and I think their front desk staff and trainers are great. I can safely recommend this gym to anyone knowing they’re be happy the signed up.

So what IS Orange Theory anyway? Orangetheory Fitness is a 60 minute small group training class that uses the science of Heart Rate Based Treadmill Interval Training.
How do I get started?
Deciding to start a fitness program is always the hardest part. Once you know you want to make that change, the next step is trying out what will work best for you. If you think you can’t keep up with a 60 minute Orangetheory class, give it a try first! OTF is truly is designed for people of all ages, abilities, sizes, and shapes. Although you’re working out in a group setting (maximum class size is 25 – 28), there is a trainer there guiding your workout, providing accommodations, and checking on you every step of the way. If they see you struggling to complete a movement, they’ll show you how to tailor it for your ability and level. Your first class is ALWAYS free! All you have to do is pick up the phone, tell them you’re new and want to try a class.
What should I expect?
Once you have committed to trying out your first Orangetheory class, make sure you’re prepared for the session. Dress in comfortable, breathable clothing, wear running shoes (whatever you walk around the block or workout with now will be just fine), bring a towel for sweat and a bottle of water. As you walk into a studio, you’ll see that the space is divided into four sections: the waiting and office area, the cardio area, the rowers area and the strength training area. OTF is also equipped with bathrooms, showers/​changing rooms and lockers for convenience. The waiting space is brightly lit and has benches and chairs to hang out in if you arrive a little early. Most locations sell merchandise and bottled water if you need/​forget something. Before the workout begins, everyone is given a heart rate monitor to wear under their workout clothes (against the skin), to monitor heart rate changes throughout the workout. While your’e working out, your progress (calories burned, heart rate, workout intensity zones) will be displayed on large flat screen televisions all around the studio. Each person will be assigned a section of the screen which will display the current stats of your progress during the session. The workout areas (treads, rowers and weights) are equipped with «mood lighting». The entire area has this awesome orange glow to it. The tunes are loud and really get you pumping. This is NOT just a regular, boring gym you guys. It really is FUN. Before your workout begins, your coach will come out to the waiting area to greet everyone, make some announcements, talk a bit about that day’s workout, and provide a little pep talk. No two workouts are ever the same. Coaches are constantly trying to get creative, and work different muscle groups each day. If you think you’d get bored at OTF, you’re wrong. Every workout packs a punch and is always a total surprise. Throughout the workout the coaches will be providing you with direction, assistance and modifications if necessary. Once the workout is are completed, you’ll clean up your workout area (they provide disinfectant wipes for you!), put any equipment away, and remove your heart rate monitors. Then, the coach will lead the group into a 5 – 6 minute cool down session where they incorporate a variety of stretching and yoga poses to help you in your post-​workout recovery. Then, the coach will walk the group over to the nearest screen to review final stats. Everyone will have their own section of the screen that will go over calorie burn for that workout, maximum heart rate achieved, and how much time spent in each colored section of intensity. You’ll also receive an email explaining your results for that workout, and each and every workout after that!
What do I love most about Orangetheory?
I love the science behind their system. The data is right there. I can monitor my progress throughout a workout, adjust my intensity if needed, and know exactly what it takes to push my body to meet my caloric or heart rate goals for that session. It really is an easy system, and gives you a lot of control. You don’t have to be a fitness expert. You just need to listen to your body, watch your stats and follow your coach.
I love the technology. I love that you can book sessions online, and receive email breakdowns of your performance after each workout. I love that the coaches are available on social media, and interact with members. It’s an added confidence boost when coaches specifically shout out your accomplishments, no matter how small.
I love the investment. If you’re currently buying fast food meals or Starbucks coffees multiple times a week, then you can afford Orangetheory. It all comes down to priorities, and what kind of investment you’re willing to spend on your own health. There are no contracts, so you’re not locked into anything. They offer everything from class packages to unlimited monthly deals (that’s what I have), which will fit into anyone’s budget.

I actually signed up at the St. Pete branch, but personal circumstances brought me to the Westchase location for my first ⁴⁄₅ visits. The trainers here are simply awesome. We came in contact with three different trainers, each with their own personality, all equally positive and motivating. The gals behind the desk, sadly, are not quite as helpful or friendly; this is not super important, as that is not where I spent the bulk of my time. The music starts bumping (sometimes shockingly so — can you say unedited 2LiveCrew?!) and before you know it, the hour is up and you are energized, a hot and sweaty mess, and ready for anything! We had a few annoying things happen (faulty equipment, late reports) but I am sure these kinks will be worked out soon enough. I am loving the workouts; I am hoping to have an equally wonderful experience at my home base branch.