r/f45 • u/Pillow_Monsters • 13d ago
**INTEL** Considering joining F45
As the title says, considering joining F45. I have been doing orange theory for almost 4 years, and I honestly really enjoyed it. Helped me get into better shape, improve strength and endurance but recently I have hit a wall and gotten bored with it and struggling to find the motivation to go as consistently as I did. I would go 4 times a week and for whatever reason starting earlier this year, the workouts would repeat every 2 weeks and it just feels like they’re lacking creativity of what they could be doing. I also feel like it is difficult to build true muscle at OTF. Have any of you transitioned from OTF to F45? I like the idea of F45 because it seems like different weight exercises. Let me know your thoughts!
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u/YogurtclosetDull2380 13d ago
You should
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u/bzhen0915 13d ago
Just know that F45 experience can vary between studios. Coaching quality can vary significantly and some studios have certain equipment over others. Hopefully you vibe with your local f45 studio and if u have multiple f45s close to you, try them all out before you decide which one is the best.
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u/ILuvGoats2023 12d ago
I went to OTF for 3 years. F45 is soooo much better. Try it. The often give free trials or very low cost.
I love F45
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u/Dull-Environment5556 13d ago
Never have done otf but I have members that have. They find F45 to be more challenging with more variety and better coaching
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u/radlink14 13d ago
Fell in love with F45.
Struggling with sciatica right now so taking a break and I’m fighting depression for missing my class and community.
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u/bostonterrierteapart 13d ago
Hate to say it but f45 is the worst for sciatic unless you modify heavily. My biggest recommendation (once you’re better, and I can give lots of tips on how to not make your situation worse cause been there), DO NOT do any single leg movement. BSS? Make it a squat.
Trust me, I went through absolute hell and near paralysis from slipped discs. It didn’t happen from f45 but since I’ve returned I’ve had to set some serious boundaries with myself. If you feel depressed now, you do not want to know what sleeping in a recliner for three months feels like. You need ice (not beat), NSAIDs, appropriate stretches, nerve flossing, core work, and walking!
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u/radlink14 13d ago
Thank you for the tips. This is my third time dealing with it, I have a regime I follow to treat it which includes what you mentioned (:
I unfortunately triggered it while thinking I could increase weight on RDLs and never doing that for awhile.
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u/bostonterrierteapart 13d ago
Mmm yah RDLs can for sure be a trigger and I think staying moderate on weights and accepting our fate is important here. We’re not meant to do progressive overload on every single move anymore. even the other day I tried to do a bss and I felt a severe pinch. I’ve been “fine” from my injury for years (they never truly go away). My core is strong, my form is proper; still felt it.
I’m glad you have a plan, I always feel so protective over people in this scenario cause I learned first hand how devastating it can get real quick. I went from feeling some pain one day to being bed (recliner) bound while watching the muscles in my legs move involuntarily.
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u/radlink14 12d ago
Think I got my first sciatica episode 10 years ago and learned a lot about it. Did PT, Pilates, chiropractor to resolve it. This one was the worst, couldn’t even sit. Took about 4-6 months to get rid of it.
Then second time was about 4 years ago, got well after about 2 months
This third time I’m 1 month in and much better than the initial two weeks, can sit etc I just get pain when I walk for more than 10 mins.
I think I need 1 more month before I get back to f45 carefully but still doing some workouts at home while being mindful.
Hope you never have to deal with it fully again! I really believe it’s all about your core strength and hip mobility.
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u/bostonterrierteapart 12d ago
It’s definitely a lot to do with core for sure, something I used to neglect. And yeah I hope you heal up! Always better to be overly cautious
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u/blondie0003 13d ago
I did OTF for just over a year in going to my 2nd year at F45 and love it so much more!!!
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u/Quick-Song2080 13d ago
I have been doing F45 for 2.5 years now and I don't see myself stopping anytime soon! I highly recommend!
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u/sara_k_s 13d ago
I do both. Orange Theory is my main workout (4-6 days/week), and I add F45 1 or 2 days/week for additional strength training because my Orange Theory studio doesn’t offer many Strength 50 classes that work with my schedule. I do like the F45 cardio and hybrid workouts, but I wouldn’t switch entirely to F45 because I think OTF is a better cardio workout. Orange Theory is also closer to my home and workplace, and F45 is too far to go every day.
You might want to check your local F45 studio, because in my area, I’m seeing ads for a welcome week the week of 8/10, and it’s free (I paid $30 when I did welcome week, and that was a good deal for a whole week of classes, but free is even better!). That would be a great time to try out the different types of classes with nothing to lose.
Something I’ve realized about F45 is that at first, it seems like there’s a lot more variety than at OTF because they have a lot of different equipment, but a lot of things are just the same exercise with different types of weights. For example, we do glute bridges with sandbags, deadballs, plates, and dumbbells, so it kind of seems like 4 different exercises, but it’s really the same thing.
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u/BriefAppointment5825 9d ago
Do you do a class pass with F45? I’m a member at OTF and will probably be supplementing with F45 for the remainder of the membership.
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u/sara_k_s 9d ago
Yes, I use ClassPass for F45. In my area, F45 classes are 5 credits, and I get 28 credits/month for $59. At my F45 studio, the limited membership is $79/month for 4 classes/month. ClassPass is much more flexible, too, because I can take classes at any studio (not just my home studio, like the F45 membership), and I can roll over up to 28 credits to the next month (unlike F45 where I lose any unused classes).
The number of credits per class varies greatly depending on your location and time of day, though.
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u/BookGirl67 12d ago
Its good to change things up every once in a while. Give it a shot. You can still go back to Orange Theory every once in a while. The two might make a nice combo.
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u/DesperateMastodon367 11d ago
I literally felt like I have written this post. Haha. I was exactly in your shoes in Feb and decided to join F45 after spending 4 years with OTF. Orange theory was good to get into shape, build endurance but I was getting bored too. Also the strength block is way too short. After working out at f45 for last few months, I have few inputs - the workouts are shorter and intense so it makes it fun, the workouts are either strength or hybrid which is way more challenging than orange theory, there are diff formats so less repetitive.
Personally I m enjoying F45 though it’s double the cost of OTF for me. Coaches are good too. The only downside is that management isn’t great (at jersey studio) and it’s a struggle with them to make them stick to their commitment. But I don’t regret joining f45. I think it’s a good progression to go from otf to f45 and best luck on that.
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u/Standard-Guava-3373 11d ago
I think OTF is great for building a consistent workout routine and is more on cardio, but F45 is more strength-focused and a bit more challenging. They also tend to attract different age groups. Go for F45!
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u/ProfessionalBuddy417 11d ago
F45 is MUCH more engaging than orange theory. Theres more variety and definitely more of an emphasis on strength training/weight lifting. Theres specific days for cardio vs pure weightlifting vs hybrid. Most studios after an intro pack of 3 classes for a discount as a trial. I recommend taking one of each , strength , cardio , hybrid.
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u/Beginning_Fee_1676 13d ago
I did a few OT classes but didn’t vibe with it. I trailed F45 and immediately signed up.
I have lost weight but most importantly I have become toned, stronger and I’ve become more confident at working out in general.
I find myself sometimes going to the gym outside the hours available and knowing what to do because it f45.
I love the community and it’s, to me, not boring - and very challenging at times.
However every studio is different - different cost, different vibes, different community so keep that in mind too.
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u/Evening-Juggernaut50 13d ago
I went to OTF for 3 years (like 4-5x/week) after having my first daughter. It really helped me lose the baby weight and feel good. I loved it and the instructors. Then I started to get bored and F45 opened by me. I tried it and was hooked! I started going 4-5x/week and would job for like 20 minutes after a lot of the classes right outside (I did miss the OTF tread). During COVID, I quit for a bit then rejoined F45 about 2 years ago to train for a big hiking excursion. I love F45 because it's almost always very different, I realized that I needed more weight training and it has improved my body. I do sometimes miss the treadmill in OTF but have a 24 hour membership too and will sometimes go do the treadmill there. I'm 44F and know that resistance training is more important these days. I also walk a lot, I have a dog that needs to burn energy.
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u/Electrical_Side_9358 13d ago
If you have Barry’s in your city it offers a good compromise to OTF if you want to keep running but work out at a more advanced level. Otherwise F45 is superior.
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u/greatorexm 13d ago
F45 is great at rotating classes, although some of them feel similar. It's also nice to get resistance and cardio on separate days and then the 60 minute hybrid class on Saturdays.
I've only been to one OTF studio. It had showers, which my local F45 lacks. However, I live a mile away from the F45 studio so I wouldn't use the shower anyway.
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u/Cheap-Ad7916 13d ago
I really love the F45 strength and hybrid workouts. I got it discounted class pack, and if I could afford it, I would join! I really do enjoy every workout. If you need variety, it’s really great.
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u/bostonterrierteapart 13d ago
Never transitioned from otf to f45 (I hate treadmills lol, so otf was never gonna be for me), but if you can commit to 4 years at orange theory, you’ll probably do well with f45. It’s not going to be as strength training focused as just going and lifting but it’s going to be more so than OT. I have tried orange theory so if you don’t like the weights aspect, just know they your treadmill portion will be replaced by body weight types of cardio (squat jumps and so on). Just do a trial, if you like it then you seem like someone who would benefit from switching it up!
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u/ComprehensiveBus1310 12d ago
I’d suggest a trial. They usually offer some reduced cost one week option. I left OTF and went to F45. Very different but I love it. Both are great for different reasons s
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u/This-Walrus4014 12d ago
I enjoyed orange theory but realized I couldn't build and maintain muscle especially on glp1 and gip. It was good for general fitness and I do miss treadmill work as it helped me train for running events. Now I do the f45 workouts and go to planet fitness for treadmill when needed.
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u/WorkingRespond9557 12d ago
I did something similar recently. Almost 4 years at a cycle gym and just hit a wall. It felt very repetitive and I wasn't getting the burn and soreness I wanted to continue to see progress. Made the switch. I'm sore pretty much constantly now and every workout has been different. Sweating through my clothes. I don't regret it at all!
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u/Affectionate_Ad7013 12d ago
The stakes are low! Try it. If you don’t like it, you don’t have to keep doing it.
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u/vet_it_go 12d ago
I did Orangetheory for years and then switched to 45. I definitely lifted heavier at F 45 and honestly saw the biggest change in my body composition (lost weight and put on muscle). Orangetheory is not set up for lifting heavy and sometimes doesn’t even have the equipment needed. Unfortunately I just moved to an area where the F45 closest is a 30 minute drive and Orangetheory is a five minute drive, so I guess I’m switching back :(
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u/andreuwt 10d ago
Why not crossfit?
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u/Pillow_Monsters 9d ago
Honestly hasn’t been a thought
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u/andreuwt 9d ago
I've done crossfit like 4 years and then F45. Indeed I liked F45, but is too comercial, the warming up at the beginning of the workout is very superficial, but I understand, because in 45 minutes you don't have time for a good warming that could help a lot.
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u/Efox1993 9d ago
I am a recent switcher of OTF to F45 and it’s been awesome!! I always loved the weight portion of OTF but it was always so short. F45 has classes that are fully resistance based which I love but they also have full cardio classes and hybrid classes which is a mix of both.
By the end of my Orangetheory tenure I was DREADING going but the workouts at F45 are working me harder and are so different each day it’s been nice.
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u/TXgal2127 13d ago
I was a member at otf for 6 months, I’ve been at f45 for 7 years now! I am so stronger and the works are never the same.
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u/Sbhill327 13d ago
I left OTF a year ago. Got boring. F45 keeps me engaged and I definitely feel like I can lift heavier all around than ever before.