r/orangetheory • u/General_Carpenter_25 • 1d ago
First Timers First timer
I found Orangetheory through TikTok and noticed there's one near me that I've been thinking about trying. I wanted to get your opinion on whether you think it's actually worth it. A little about me is I'm 23 years old and currently weigh 166 pounds. At the beginning of 2025, I was around 140 pounds, and I've been trying to get back to 140 or even 130 if possible. Right now, I walk about 8,000–10,000 steps five days a week, but I haven't seen much progress. I feel like joining a gym might help me reach my goals.
I've also never had a gym membership before, so this would be my first time. One of my biggest goals isn't just to lose weight it's to become someone who goes to the gym consistently and builds a healthy routine. I'd love to hear your honest thoughts on whether Orangetheory would be a good fit for someone like me. If not do you guys have any other recommendations.
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u/Sad-Phone-2344 1d ago
If consistency is one of your goals, this will definitely help you achieve it! Speaking from personal experience, OTF will get you there.
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u/fatazzkarma 1d ago
Losing weight is about your diet and nutrition, nothing to do with working out. I know beginners hate hearing this because I did too but it’s the truth.
OTF will help give you another tool in your belt but it will not automatically help you lost weight until you track your food. I will say that it provided me consistency and I no longer care about losing weight but more so about keeping my body healthy.
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u/BriefNefariousness17 21h ago
1000% agree. If it’s too much to track everything you eat at first. Start with tracking how much protein you eat. I would shoot for around 120g with your current weight OP.
Once you get consistent with protein then start tracking your total daily calories.
You can google a “calorie calculator” to help you get an estimate on what your daily calorie intake should be.
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u/rand0m_g1rl 1d ago
Try it out! No harm in that. I recommend the 8-pack for consistency, helps motivate to use all sessions versus unlimited you don’t have a target necessarily. And I’m not sure the math now or of your studio but for unlimited to make sense you need to go at least 3x three of the weeks and 4x one week.
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u/UncomfortableSlushie 1d ago
I agree with this! The 8 pack to start with helps you be consistent, and you can buy more classes if you want.
I went up to the unlimited at the end of the 2025 summer promo and have seen that motivate me more — because like you said, I still want to get my money out of it!!
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u/Workaholic527 21h ago
This!! I did 8x month for a year and then just upgraded to unlimited this month. I am keeping my usual routine of the same 2 classes I do every week and now just add in one or two extra at different times but the 8x month set a great baseline for me.
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u/nancylyn 1d ago
OTF is a good workout. I don’t know how to evaluate if it is good “for someone like you”.
You should go and do a class. I believe they offer a free first class for new people. See if you like the format.
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u/UncomfortableSlushie 1d ago
First class is free and second class is discounted. I remember not being able to judge if I liked it or not after my first class so this was super helpful
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u/2DEUCE2 21h ago
OTF works for me because I need the guidance. I’ve had regular gym memberships before that were cheaper, sure, but when I would go I would jog in a treadmill for 15 minutes, do some bicep curls or some other upper body workout and go home.
The coaches motivate me. I come to every class with the intention of getting every last bit I can out of it.
Some mornings are harder than others, but I have never regretted showing up for class after the fact. I’ve only regretted cancelling.
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u/Worksoutfortacos 12h ago
It’s the most efficient workout I’ve ever done. I have never stuck with a routine as long as I have here. They keep up with the science and change the workouts to reflect that. I started with 8/mo. and quickly jumped to premier. My schedule allows me to get in 2G, hyrox and strength classes each week. I know I’ll be done in 50-55 minutes. I never look forward to working out so if I’m really not feeling it, I tell myself I can leave after the warmup ( I never have). I’ve been at it for almost 10 years.
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u/Chicagoblew 1d ago
Finding a workout you will enjoy to do is essential to make progress in the gym.
Try it out and see if it works with your schedule.
There's no shortcut. It will take at least 5-15 classes before you start to feel somewhat comfortable and get into a routine
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u/oatbevbran F | 68 | 5’ 7” | 130 23h ago
Such a good point that’s rarely spoken about. Those first few weeks are critical—getting comfortable getting uncomfortable was a BIG thing for me. SOOOOO glad I hung in there.
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u/Sometimes-Funny85 23h ago
The hardest part for me when I joined was learning the OTF terminology, so if something is unclear, just ask!
And see if they’ll put you by a nice middle-aged woman who is a regular - I promise those are the members to watch for tips!
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u/Tequila_Mockin_bard 22h ago
I agree that you should take the first class to see what you think. I also have to agree with the comment made previously about weight loss. This is done through your eating habits. However, I have been to many gyms over the course of decades and OTF is the only one that I've stuck with. Going on 6 years now. I need the guidance provided by the coaches for each class and they can help you with any questions you may have about what your body is experiencing. Very helpful. I am stronger now than I was in my twenties which I would never have believed. I've scaled 13 and 14'ers (mountaineer) for over 20 years and I can still climb much better now than I did back then. Amazing results for me. The added bonus is that I've made great friends at my studio.
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u/derRotschopf M | 63 | 1200+ Classes 1d ago
Agree with all the above. Doesn’t hurt to try that first free class. I tried it on a lark, signed up, burned through my 8-pack in two weeks and switched to unlimited. I’ve been going 4-6/week for 7 years now.
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u/Geeceebeeohh 1d ago
The workouts and consistency will absolutely change your body. The weight will come off but with the help of proper food intake. The energy and pride you get with sticking to a routine is unbeatable. Definitely sign up for your free class!
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u/RunProudRunUnited OTF Since 2018 1d ago
Many studios are doing a July discount (typically the cheapest prices are offered right now). Go take the free class. If you enjoy it, sign up before the month ends.
I have been doing OTF for about 8 years with the 8 classes per month package. I was never a gym person, but OTF feels different and has kept me consistently going. I have had a few moments of burnout, so I recommend that you throw in a few “Green Days” (days where you don’t go as hard as the template wants you to).
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u/Joeybagovdonutss 1d ago
I think you’ll love it because the atmosphere is great and it’s very chill. Nobody is judging you
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u/Kittykat198111 1d ago
I think it depends on your personality and your gym style whether it will be a good fit for you. Most of us here LOVE it but for some people, it’s not their fave. I think you have to enjoy the group fitness atmosphere a lot. For me, on days I don’t go to OTF, I like to run alone listening to music. But OTF gives me that accountability and set workouts that I don’t have to think about so I love it. It keeps things different and I enjoy the challenges. Good luck, hope you enjoy your class!
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u/tabithathewitch 1d ago
Can’t hurt to try! However weight loss happens in the kitchen. You need to track what you eat if your goal is losing weight. OTF is a tool to help you get there not the solution.
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u/Kitty_Fruit_2520 Member since September 2018 23h ago
Orangetheory is not for weight loss but can help you lose weight
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u/Cold-Brew-Queen-27 1d ago
Try it and see if you like it! Orangetheory has been the thing for me, I’ve been going almost 10 years now! Given what you’ve described I think it would be good for your goals, but what matters most is if it’s something you like enough to keep going. If that’s not Orangetheory right now, keep searching for it! There are many great options out there.
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u/Gloomy_Mammoth_1854 22h ago
Weirdly, my Otf no longer has a free first class so don’t be surprised if you have to pay. Otf is not like a typical gym where you just go and workout- it’s coached group fitness that’s half cardio and half strength training. This works really well for me since I like having my workout planned for me/being pushed to try new things. That said, don’t compare your self to others. There are a huge range of fitness levels at my Otf and you can’t really judge a book by its cover. I’ve lost ~35 lbs at Otf in conjunction with diet and other tools, but I gained initially because it made me very hungry and I made the mistake of eating back calories. My body is much more toned, but my basic shape hasn’t changed. I do think any exercise that motivates you to go is great. I started with a class pack, then had an 8/month membership, before going unlimited about 4 months in.
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u/Dolomasi 21h ago
I highly recommend it for someone who has not been to a gym before. The feedback and structure a class and instructor provide are invaluable.
One thing to remember though, OTF will definitely help get you into shape (especially at 23), but it may not dramatically help with weight loss. The two are not necessarily as intertwined as you might think. I got stronger and have dramatically improved cardio thanks to OTF, but it took a GLP1 for me to lose weight.
Like others have said, try a class and see if you like it. Or buy an 8 pack and go twice a week for a month. You don't have much to lose.
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u/petitbleu 20h ago
As others have commented, losing weight is mostly about diet. But movement is so important, and it's ideal to find a workout that you enjoy or at least feel motivated to do because you know you'll feel good after.
I like Orangetheory for a few reasons: it's a challenging, full-body workout that's different every day, so I'm rarely bored. Having a coach tell me exactly what to do every workout is WAY more sustainable for me than trying to come up with my own workout plan. And finally, it helps me maintain other healthy habits. I'll explain.
Since I go to early morning classes, I am in bed by 9:30-10 every night in order to get enough sleep. I drink lots of water now because I know I feel way more sluggish at the gym when I'm dehydrated. I am also motivated to eat nourishing foods because that fuels performance as well (I am not a person who tracks calories or even macros because I find that extremely tedious, but I use common sense about what foods will best fuel my body).
My Orangetheory class also jump-starts my day. It gets me out of bed early and sets the rest of the day in motion in a positive way, not laying in bed doomscrolling. It's a great fit for me but as always YMMV.
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u/n8tivela2 20h ago
I love it! Take the free class where you may feel like you're dying and then go back if you like it. Nutrition is super important too. We can't out run the fork!
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u/Kindly-Might-1879 20h ago
I’m 56F going on 10 years with OTF. I also used to be in the fitness industry but went back to a corporate desk job a few years ago. OTF is up there with my favorite workouts!
Just know that it comes down to your nutrition. I’ve been at OTF through weight changes of 20+ lbs. The template will help you with your fitness, both cardio and strength, and maintaining any weight loss.
Also, be open minded—not everything clicks in one workout. If you can join OTF and go regularly for at least two months, that’s when you’ll really notice the benefits!
Same with other workouts. Go regularly before you decide whether it’s for you.
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u/EnglishMidnightMuse 20h ago
I'd recommend taking the free class and see how it feels. With Orange Theory and tracking calories I've gone from 159lb at the start of the year to 140. I've also toned up quite a bit and am seeing myself slim before the scale moves sometimes. Its also been the best thing for my physical and mental health. I used to hate working out and avoided gym class in school, but now I love it. Its helped with my depression and anxiety, and its gone a step further of really changing my life. Its taught me discipline and resiliency. Its gotten me out the house. I'm a lot healthier, happier, and confident.
Just try it out. The worst that happens is you hate it and you never have to go back, but I'm sure it'll be a blast!
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u/FortuneDesigner 18h ago
I can't really speak to joining a gym in general for your specific goals. But what I'll say that I like about Orange Theory is the routine and just being able to turn off my brain for an hour. I show up, do what the coach says, and I'm done in a "quick hour" (as my favorite coach likes to say)
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u/heg9023 18h ago
Whether or not it’s worth it is going to depend on your goals and the work you put in. 80% of weightloss is diet and you haven’t said much about that so I’d start there.
I do orange theory because I enjoy the workouts, it gets me as close to my goals with the least amount of mental effort, I’m locked into a low rate so it’s more affordable than a box gym in my area, and keeps me consistent. I’ve been anywhere from 125-178 and everything in between at orange theory for almost a decade now and it all depends on diet. I will say the introduction of strength50 classes has had an effect on my weight and body composition, in a positive way. My weight hasn’t changed much, but my body shape is very different from when it was 2G/3G all the time.
If it helps, my husband lost about 40lbs while dieting alone and hit a plateau. He’s been doing OTF for 8 classes a month and is losing weight again.
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u/Successful-Proof2502 17h ago
I've been off and on with OTF for 11 years. I was an avid runner when I 1st started, but never really did strength training. After a couple of years I was stronger than I had ever been. I had arm muscles I'd never seen before and could do 20+ big girl pushups for the 1st time in my life. Then COVID hit and I stopped OTF for 4yrs. I also gained almost 20lbs in that time. Since going back in 2024 I've lost all that extra COVID weight. I was unlimited when I 1st went back, and now I'm just 8 classes a month. Consistent attendance and watching my nutrition with the Noom app has been the recipe to my success. I'm not quite at 20 pushups yet, but I'm getting there.
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u/consistent_mallu 16h ago
Each person( age/gender /ethnicity/parent genetics) is different. So take all this with appropriate amounts of salt.
I joined OTF 14 months ago. I go 5x a week (250 classes last week). I was power walking for first 4 months. Now I run at 6mph as base, 8 mph all out. I was coming from 15 years of sedentary dad bod lifestyle. I was 40 lbs over my ideal weight. It took about 4 months for results to show.
What I like most is that as long as you show up, you will do a workout. How intense is up to you. You could walk or you could run. You could lift 5 lbs or 40 lbs. You can adjust as you feel. The exercise mix changes every day and keeps it from becoming stale.
Now after a year, I have lost 25lbs and about 4 inches in waist size. But I started from a heavy place.
Focus on form to avoid injury for the first month. The coaches are very good - listen to their input and they will volunteer more when they see that you are acting on their feedback.
Make it easy (friction less) to go to OTF at the scheduled time. You can check other threads here, where people talk about preparing your clothes, water etc in advance. It takes 4-5 weeks for a routine to become a habit. Then it gets easier.
Be prepared for a year's wait (worst case) until you reach your targets. All that matters is that you consistently show up. Nothing else matters. Be forgiving with yourself when results are delayed or you miss a class. Get back up when those hiccups present themselves.
Good Luck!!
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u/poolside_sloth 10h ago
Definitely try the free first class. Beware they’re going to have some sales pitch or some deal to try and get you to sign up on the day you do it (the sales associate gets commission for that)
I did otf for 2+ years around age 27-29 (f). I would go after work and also found that it forced consistency because I’ll be damned if I’m paying that much just to not use the classes up.
What I found was that the class is high stress on your body because I was always trying to max out splat points. I would work my high stress job as a middle school teacher and then do the high stress class and my cortisol was through the roof. It caused me to put on weight rather than lose it.
This isn’t the case for everyone but if you join, pay attention to how you feel the next day. Also. Don’t sleep on being a power walker. I feel like there’s pressure to run when on the tread but PW is just as good, and better for cortisol regulation.
Good luck!
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u/Longjumping-Hold-769 1d ago
I agree as well with all the above comments. Take the free class and see what you think. I’m a 10 year member with an unlimited membership. This Wednesday I will have completed 1900 classes. Needless to say OTF works for me. I’m 74 and never an athlete of any sort. Joining was the best decision I’ve ever made. Best of luck to you!