2 years of Orange Theory Fitness – impacts and lessons learned

2 years ago this weekend, my wonderful daughter asked me to check out OTF with her.  She had started going ot OTF in her home town, and was visiting for Labor Day Weekend.  At the time I was running, had already lost almost 40 pounds, but was doing minimal variety in my workouts. I like it immediately, but because of an extremely busy travel schedule did not have time to get serious for several months.  I would go about twice a week, and looked forward to each session. After around 4 months I became an unlimited member, and have probably averaged 4-5 sessions per week.  As I began going more frequently, I had a learning curve about what OTF really is and how it can change participants. I have not lost significant weight over the past 2 years, but over the last 3-4 months, numerous friends, acquaintances and OTF coaches have commented on my “weight loss”.  OTF has reshaped me. I had started running 2 years prior to OTF.  Like many who run, I just ran without much of a fitness plan.  The mistake many runners make is just running distances.  But fitness is more than cardiovascular fitness.  If you read running literature or listen to running podcasts, you learn several things.  First, to become a better runner you need at least 3 types of variety – endurance (running duration), power (also called High Intensity Interval Training) and strength (hill running or inclines).  OTF provides all these varieties on different days.  Second, you need weight tr...
Source: DB's Medical Rants - Category: Internal Medicine Authors: Tags: Medical Rants Source Type: blogs