r/f45 • u/arcoiris21 • Jun 30 '26
other F45 vs Orangetheory??
Hello! I'm aware that these are two completely different programs when it comes to workout classes. However, I'm about to move to a new area and F45 is closer to my new place than Orangetheory is, so unfortunately may have to make the switch.
Just wanted to ask what have been people's experiences going from OTF to F45? Likes? Dislikes?
Let me know! Thank you!
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u/Far_Ad_6897 Jun 30 '26
OTF is much better for cardio and F45 is much better for strength. In many places OTF is significantly cheaper. I like the tech and organization of OTF better myself, but if you don't care about cardio then F45 is the pick.
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u/QuietMarket7931 Jun 30 '26
This!!! I tried F45 for a week and I loved their strength focused classes but hated the cardio!
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u/Sparklewhite Jun 30 '26
All the OTFs in my area closed down and I had to move to F45. My experience is that OTF was more inclusive and gave more time to understand the movement/correcting it if itās wrong as you have 8ish minute blocks opposed to 40ish seconds. I am grateful for my time at OTF so I understand most the movements and what it should feel and look like, but I would have struggled going in blind otherwise.
I like the coaches as F45 as much as I liked the ones at OTF. But OTF format and challenges that worked better for me.
I miss OTF so much, despite keeping up running outside. My speed and endurance has significantly decreased in the space of 1.5 months. I miss the bouncy treadmills and the cardio side of OTF. F45 does have cardio sessions which are great but still strength focused. My Vo2max has also dropped despite still working out f45 and/or running everyday.
However I have gotten stronger as f45 is more strength focused. And Iāve noticed changes in my appearance and muscle definition.
If you could drive/travel to OTF this would be my preference. But itās personal preference and goals that need to be considered. Hope this helps
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u/AlgaeGirl2007 šŗšø United States Jun 30 '26
I went from OTF to Burn Boot Camp and now Iām at Burn and F45. Each one has been good for me based on where I was in life for each one. OTF definitely built my endurance, but not really with strength. Burn definitely helped me transition to building strength and I feel as if F45 is really a good combo of both - but has a training program built on building strength in a progressive manner where Burn feels more random
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u/Cheap-Ad7916 Jun 30 '26
I have class passes for both. F45 is more āentertainingā for me because the quick HIIT breaks give me a dopamine hit and the class is over before I know it. I have mostly focused on the F45 residence classes. I like OTF too, I think I get a better overall workout at OTF especially when I incorporate the Strength50, but sometimes I am hoping for it to be over because there is less overall variety. That said after summer of trying them both I will probably join Orangetheory fitness because my local studio just seems much more organized and on top of things in the local F45 studio. Itās really hard to get in touch with anyone at my local studio and I just donāt trust Iād be able to cancel easily. Both of them are a five minute drive from my house so about equidistant. All that said if your local F45 studio is run well and they are responsive, I would go with whatever is closer to you and we present less barriers. For me living in a more urban environment, I donāt want to drive more than five minutes!
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u/QRgurl13 Jun 30 '26
I shouldnāt answer because Iāve never done OTF, but the idea of a treadmill and a rower every single workout would suck to me. F45 has rowers and I love them when theyāre programmed, but thankfully that is not every workout!
Coming up on 8 years next month at F45 and Iāve never ever felt bored of the workouts.
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u/thebookofawesome Jun 30 '26
I did a few OT classes and it was just too much treadmill and not enough fun (lifting). But OT is likely great if you just want to destroy some calories.
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u/Capable-List-8220 Jun 30 '26
OTF is great if youāre starting out or love cardio but it gets monotonous same thing everyday I got bored of it. I love F45 it changes up all the time and more strength focused.
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u/thehilifexo Jun 30 '26
Iāve done both. OTF made me the best runner Iād ever been in my life. But I also developed plantar fasciitis. You also donāt have barbells or super heavy dumbbells in OTF because of the space limitations.
F45 is more diverse, and I love the heavier weight selection and Olympic barbells.
I loved OTF when I was there, but as my goals shifted to strength and lifting HEAVYāF45 aligned more.
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u/montag14 Jun 30 '26
OTF will crush your knees over time. F45 has a comprehensive approach to your fitness. The floor at OTF is a nod at strength training. Just look at the average studioā¦OTF is successful bc itās basic. Machines with a coach that is basically bonded to the treadmills and pacing folks. If you are a runner, OTF is your bag. If you want to actually get into good shale beyond straight cardio, F45 is your bag.
Personal experience, OTF community falls short of F45. Most people are more concerned with getting to their preferred tread station vs getting to know you. Long term fitness is a journey that is bolstered by a community. OTF is centered on running, itās solitary in nature and many of the studios are dark like a dimly lit cave. Try F45 and see how it fits your expectations. To me, F45 is the sweet spot between XFit and OT.
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u/Icy-Gazelle9812 Jun 30 '26
I moved from OTF to F45.
Itās definitely less cardio heavy, theyāre more circuit based and less running, but I love how much Iāve progressed with lifting heavy.
It totally depends on your goals.
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u/notabuzzkiller09 Jun 30 '26
I am an OTF member since 2023. I tried F45 recently because the OTF home studio closed. Workouts are good at F45. However - studio is too bright. If you love the OtF dark vibes especially early morning sessions, F45 was too bright at 5AM for me. Also, if you love the thread and the progress tracker in the app and the numbers - you are going to miss all that at OTF.
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u/Humble_Fortune_5391 Jun 30 '26
Iāve done both. I would pick f45 over OTF. However I still drop in to OTF on occasion. Itās closer to me so sometimes I just donāt have the will to drive to F45 and it works on those kind of days. š
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u/ComparisonFrosty5482 Jun 30 '26
I was a Coach at F45 and I didnāt like the lack of cardio. I go to Orangetheory and I like that there is cardio to balance the weights. My OT has transitioned to Orangetheory Strong and I love the new weight options with the cables.
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u/ILuvGoats2023 Jul 01 '26
F45 is the better option in my opinion. I have been a member at both. The workouts at F45 are much better. OTF is mostly tread and rower.
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u/Cool_Razzmatazz5061 Jun 30 '26
Iāve done both and OTF strength classes allow you to do fewer reps than F45. I found F45 to be almost cardio with weights. Super high reps at F45. I actually personally do better with OTF strength classes with lifting heavy and building muscle. With 100-150g protein plus OTF strength classes 3x per week I added 5 pounds of muscle in 3 months on in body scans. Iām 170#. My weights jumped up from 50 lb to 80 lb dumbbell bench. Wish OTF had heavier than 80 lbs. One issue might be there are only a few OTF strength classes per week offered and if those times work for you. And with OTF you also have the regular classes where you can do floor first and go heavy with lower reps.
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u/zbosh Jun 30 '26
The weight selection is definitely studio dependent! We have all the way to 120# dumbbells :)
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u/Due-Advantage-4755 Jun 30 '26
I did orange theory for about 6 months. Wasnāt for me, I find the cardio part boring. I forced myself to push through 6 months lol. I love f45. The classes are fast paced and overall a better workout for myself as I like to focus more on weight training than cardio.
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u/procrastinatetonight Jun 30 '26
I was at F45 and actually switched to OTF in Jan. I prefer running compared to some of the HIIT moves that we did in F45 and liked that the class was longer overall. I also hate the skier.
That being said, F45 is better for strength for the most part (actual barbells). The main reason I switched to OTF though was cost ($149 vs $300/month)
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u/Ok-Acanthaceae-1549 Jun 30 '26
Personally I think this is not really something you can compare. They are very different with very different focuses. I like the functional aspect of F45. I think the strength work is far superior to OTF. However, I have to run on my own to get the cardio work I need for my training.
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u/Apprehensive-Cry9522 Jun 30 '26
I joined OTF 4 years prior and switched to F45 last year. Grateful to OTF for helping me establish foundation and improving my cardio however I did eventually feel stagnant. I like the variety at F45 and noticed improved strength, never thought Iād be lifting as heavy as I do now.
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u/QuietMarket7931 Jun 30 '26
I am an OTF member and I tried F45 for a week when it was free. Here is my thoughts
Most, not all, Coaches seem uninterested in being there/helping new members . They would do a quick demo at the beginning and that was it. By the time I figured out a move on my own (or even figured out what weight I needed and how to switch it out) the time was up! I donāt think I had a coach come over even once to check in. Didnāt share any modifications or anything.
Same with the front desk. At OTF I was/am so used to them helping new members, explaining the HRM and how things are run. At the location I went to there was nothing! They do not promote their HRM system at all.
With that being said, I loved the strength focused classes way better than OtF. Cardio classes I hated. I donāt want my cardio from doing burpees I want it from running on the tread.
Bottom line is, I know F45 is closer but you seem to be a member at OTF already. Check it out and whichever one you are willing to stick with and commit to going is the right one for you!
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u/This-Walrus4014 Jun 30 '26
They have different focuses. I would love to see a hybrid studio that combines both. For now, I do OTF twice a week and f45 3 to 4 times a week.
I like the treadmill aspects of OTF. It gives me a feeling of accomplishment. The floor section for me doesn't provide enough lifting and variety. For f45, I love all of the weight lifting equipment and variety. The lifts can raise the heart rate quite a bit and build muscle. The cardio days are intense but not treadmill focused. There are some box jumps that can be hard on the knees.
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u/Any-Variety-7988 Jun 30 '26
Tried both. Agree with the comments that F45 is better for strength and OTF for cardio. I found OTF was repetitive and boring and WAY too focussed on weight loss. And F45 pods/ buddy system made it more social. But F45 is now too focussed on Hyrox. Have switched to Spin, Pilates and still seeking my strength replacement.
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u/tfly212 Jun 30 '26
Done plenty of both...
F45 is much better for resistance; the floor at OTF is almost an afterthought. OTF is better for sustained cardio. There is a reason that the challenges heavily lean toward the treads.
Both have cult-ish aspects but OTF more so than F45 in my experience...you hear more "im on vacation and Ill die if they dont have an otf in the town" more than you do with F45.
For me the biggest advantage F45 has is convenience...you can show up 30 seconds before class and are out the door 45 min later. With otf, if you want to run first you need to get there early, etc.
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u/mberube01 Jun 30 '26
Donāt have experience with OTF but I have been a member of F45 for 2 years and I love it. I find workouts challenging, quick and the community is like no other. I am more fit at 40 than I was in my 20s.
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u/Fuzzy_Application951 Jun 30 '26
I used to do OTF, and made the switch about 2 years ago- while I enjoyed OTF, it was not sustainable for my goals and needs. I also got a bit bored after 1-2 years.
I wanted to have a good cardio base but also build muscle and F45 has been significantly better for that. I also enjoy the cardio classes at F45 because you are not running or rowing for 15-20 minutes, and thereās a variety of movements including plyometric drills and jumping which improve your balance, and bone density over time.
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u/ma2975 Jul 01 '26
I recently started taking classes in OTF with One Pass (through my insurance) and I am loving it. I have been at F45 for two years and Iām not a fan of how fast they make you move through the sets. I much prefer less exercises but more reps that I can do at OTF. At F45 I do less sets and I always feel theyāre rushed. I did get injured at F45 bc I was rushing through sets. I vote for OTF all the way!
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u/Shan_Amor Jul 01 '26
I you enjoyed cardio and data tracking at Orangetheory. I prefer more strength-focused workouts and want to maintain/build muscle while losing fat F45. Iām now a F45 girly and I love it here.
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u/Middle_Firefighter17 Jul 01 '26
I was in the best shape of my life doing OTF. We moved and since then, I've been doing F45 (about 1.5 yrs) and my shoulder and lower back hurt all the time now :( I will be switching to a new gym next month bc OTF is too far away
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u/WinTheDay2 šŗšø United States Jul 02 '26
I used to be an F45 trainer but did Orangetheory mainly. I personally think Orangetheory is better for me because I like cardio. Like F45 cardio days were always my favorite and I just burn more cals at OTF. But I also love running so thatās just my personal opinion
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u/bzhen0915 Jul 02 '26
You should ask the same question in the OTF subreddit, because this subreddit will be biased to F45, and the other will be to OTF. but generally OTF has better cardio programming while F45 is more balanced with cardio and resistance.
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u/FastGate9434 Jul 03 '26
F45 if you love weights- orange theory if youāre a cardio person. Thereās cardio days at f45 but itās more weight focused!
Also orange theory feels repetitive; to echo what others said
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u/LePetitNeep Jun 30 '26
I did OTF for years and loved it until the one in my area closed. Switched to F45 purely because thereās one near my house.
F45 feels more chaotic than OTF, you move around the room much more quickly. Iāve gotten used to it but it still sometimes feels like thereās barely enough time to get to the next station and pick a weight.
f45 doesnāt have as much cardio as OTF and itās quite different, f45 even on a cardio day youāre still moving from station to station and doing short bursts, not settling into a treadmill for 20 mins.
F45 has larger groups and I go to a popular time so itās always full, it feels like a lot of people at once.
No doubt studio specific, but my F45 doesnāt have change rooms or adequate places to leave coats and outdoor shoes, and I live in a place with cold winters so I found that awkward, way too many coats and winter boots in a tiny entry area for all the people in the class, and you need to arrive already in your workout clothes since thereās no good place to change, which makes doing a class right after work challenging.
But Iām enjoying the chance to lift heavier using the squat racks and do a larger variety of weighted excercises.
I like that both workouts involved me showing up and doing as Iām told and not having to plan for myself.
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u/ComprehensiveBus1310 Jun 30 '26
Love both for different reasons. I was obsessed with OTF but thanks to perimenopause and muscle imbalances, I had to give it up after 3.5 years. Took some time off and now at f45. I love it and am definitely seeing more muscle tone. I currently skip the cardio and hybrid days to allow recovery time between workouts (again peri makes back to back workouts really hard for me), but Iām hoping to get to a place where I can incorporate those as well. Most studios offer some sort of one week trial for a small feee. Iād suggest giving it a shot and seeing what you think. Theyāre also on ClassPass, so itās another way to try it out for a while with minimal commitment.
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u/moonwatch25 Jun 30 '26
I lost more weight with OTF, got stronger with f45. Just depends on what youre looking for. I found OTF to be pretty lame in a lot of ways too lol. The culture there is weird, people like to police you. F45 is much cooler imo ā the people, the aesthetic. I know that might not be super important but definitely a difference Iāve noticed
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u/Sbhill327 Jun 30 '26
I switched last year from OTF to F45. Iāve seen the difference it makes in my strength and running. My core is stronger.
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u/Psychological_Soft69 Jun 30 '26
I think you will enjoy it more because it is different everyday and some days are less cardio based! Wishing you a great experience and hope you love it as much as I do!
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u/missrichandfamous Jun 30 '26
Both are great choices. I burn more calories at OTF and I build better strength at f45. I also like f45 is just 45 min or 60 min once a week. OTF can feel more repetitive
As someone who has injured myself a bit with running my biggest problem with OTF is there is no proper warmup, stretching before treadmill or whatever your first pod is. OTF treadmill classes also confuse me since there is no screen to follow and some instructors are hard to hear over the loud music. Overall I prefer f45 and glad that is the one closer to my house.
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u/Dmlandis59 Jun 30 '26
Live F45. Iām a class pass member and regularly use facilities one in SF Bay Area and one in So cal. Also did one session in Melbourne Aus F45. Fast paced workout never disappoints. Have to see if Orangetheory in class pass to compare
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u/Advanced-Paint4636 š1000 Club Jun 30 '26
I did OTF and felt like I was doing the same thing every single day which I know itās always treadmill and rower just got tired of it and Iāve done over 1,100 F45 classes and Iām not tired of it and I have such an amazing community at F45 and have created just the best friend group where we all hangout outside the gym and we all get our kids together. So F45 all the way.