I Tested Every Fitness Studio so you Don't Have to *F45, Barrys, Soul cycle, & more*

Ugh I still can't get over the idea of working out in a group…. like nooooooo thanks lol

Please do a deep dive on orange theory. I have always had bad vibes about it, but mostly because of how I have seen people using the rowing machine there. As a former rower it gives me the ick

Poor makes everything 😮😢😢

Up until about 5 years ago I ran the 3 highest rated OTFs in the country. Took hundreds of classes and met thousands of members. Saw soooo many transformed lives and bodies. Then went into my own workout routine of strength and HIIT. But I still swear by OTF 110% to this day and just started taking classes again to complement my regiment. And boy — I missed it. OTF is everything it's cracked up to be. With that being said, here are some things I picked up over the years:

1. Wear your monitor properly. In almost all cases the HRM worked but it was not work the correct way. You will find your sweet spot. (And do NOT leave it plugged it constantly.)

2. Form form form in the weight room. Stop rushing through the sets. Breathe and take your time. And do NOT jump the rails. And do not hold the handles if you're on an incline. You're messing up your hips.

3. It is NOT your goal to be in the red (ALL OUT) or even orange (PUSH) a lot. Your goal is just 12-20mins. Tops. As time goes by you will find yourself less in either because your body is adapting. So up your weights, speed and/or incline but see #2.

4. You should be in the orange/red mid-way through the given time. Meaning: if your push or all out is 60sec, pace yourself that you hit your color by 30sec. 90sec: 45sec. Then pace yourself that when you stop, you can get back into green (base) before the next set.

5. 3-4x a week. TOPS. You need rest days. And 3hrs at OTF is like 9hrs working out on your own.

6. It takes about 30 days to feel a change; about 90 to notice a change. Even if subtle, you will have improved in a number of ways. But even if you don't see a massive physical difference, what's going on inside is improving. Plus, you could still weigh the same but built muscle. That's good.

7. 80% diet, 20% workout. Something to that effect. Make sure to eat and eat right. Doesn't matter if you burn 1000 calories then eat 2000 in pizza that night.

8. In the weight room, your last rep should be TOUGH. If you keep breezing through your sets, you need to increase your weights. Make it that your last reps are always hard. But see #2.

9. Guys, you can build muscle at OTF. Whatever the weight section is, turn it into strength. Just up the weight and lower the rept. On treads, increase that incline and walk. Or up those gears on the strider. (My personal fave.)

10. NO ONE IS JUDGING YOU. 99% of our new members we had were not gym rats. Not by a mile. Nobody is looking at you. They're all just trying to get through the workout. So don't be scared. Trust me: the staff is rooting for you and members aren't even noticing. They were just like you. So let's Goooooooo.

11. OTF is a great complement. So again, try to do 3-4x a week especially if you're new. As time goes on, add things like yoga, Pilates, gym, whatever.

12. Anecdote: every so often we would get a jacked up, buff dude taking a class. Usually dragged in by an SO because guys are taught that cardio is bad. Anywho, these guys were ripped but could barely make it through 10min of class. Why? They've been so focused on muscle, they forgot about their heart and everything that it entails. Just another reason OTF is great: keeps the heart pumping, the oxygen flowing. A car can look great on the outside, but what oil and gas are putting in it?

this video was so accurate honest and funny at the same time.

Keltie, You're awesome!!!

I will not have this OT slander! Actually though I've been a regular at 3 different OT studios and it really depends on the franchise owner. The last studio I was at had a free to join weekly jogging club with the head coach. My current studio just had a 5 year party and everyone brought food to the park and a 12 pack of beer. It was a great time, I love OTF.

OTF was such an amazing experience with me. It could be location dependent but for the most part you go at your own speed! The locations are immaculate and vibes are always there. I’d recommend OTF all the way. Also, everyone is super nice and welcoming. Def all types of ages but again could be the area you’re in. I’d recommend to take the free class and check it out for yourself. I understand her pov all the way however it’s like going to work at your favorite store. You def lose love after you work at the place 😂

Watching even though I live in a small town that doesn’t have any of these fitness studios
👁️👄👁️

F45 is not weight training. It has some weight training but the volume is so low, if you are looking to strength train or work on hypertrophy this will not work. I would describe it as athlete drills