What To Expect During Your First Orangetheory Class

Orangetheory Fitness is a fitness studio focused on strength, power, and endurance. The studio offers high-intensity interval training (HIIT) classes that rely on your heart rate to measure how hard you're working (via Byrdie). Endorsed by the company's medical advisory board, each hour-long workout class consists of half cardio and half strength training and is led by a coach. While every class is different, they typically entail some form of walking or running combined with squats, crunches, or pull-ups.

"New members can expect a high-energy, full-body workout, filled with a great community of members, quality coaching and exercises that'll get your heart pumping," Jessica Swedberg, an Orangetheory Fitness coach and Senior Manager of Global Fitness at the company, told Byrdie. "Some days workouts will focus more on one element more than the others, and coaches are there to support members by providing thorough demonstrations, verbal cues, and exercise options to meet a variety of fitness levels."

Although anyone can attend Orangetheory classes, they are best suited to people looking to tone their muscles or lose weight. For those looking to accomplish either of these goals, Swedberg recommends taking at least two classes per week, but encourages members to sign up for as many as four classes. 

If you're wondering what to expect during your first Orangetheory class, one important detail to be aware of is the heart rate monitor (via SELF). Since Orangetheory is a heart rate-based HIIT workout, you'll have to wear a heart rate monitor, which basically measures how hard your body is working, to track your heart rate. The heart rate monitor is also used to determine how many "splat points" you've earned. Splats points track how much time you spend in the orange and red zones.

The orange zone accounts for 84% to 91% of your maximum heart rate, which is supposed to be the threshold at which your body starts burning calories and fat more efficiently. The red zone, on the other hand, reflects more than 92% of your maximum heart rate. For each class, the ultimate goal is to rack up 12 spat points by the end of the workout. Since each splat point accounts for one minute spent in the orange and red zones, 12 slack points is equivalent to 12 minutes spent in the two zones. Reaching this goal allows your body to burn calories at a higher rate long after your workout class is over.