Fancy fitness studios surface in Canada
Orangetheory, 9Round workouts keep members coming back for more
Boutique fitness studios are the fastest-growing trend in the fitness industry and have been popping up across Canada. Although they can cost two-to-four times more than traditional health clubs, fitness studios offer personalized training and unique workout experiences that keep members coming back for more.
Two of the more popular fitness studio concepts are Orangetheory Fitness and 9Round Fitness. Both concepts are located worldwide, with a fast-growing presence in Canada.
Both also have locations in Lethbridge, Alta., where I’m from, so I booked a class at each to try them out. Please note that pricing varies by studio location.
Here’s what I found:
Orangetheory Fitness
The Story: Using a sciencebased workout that utilizes technology to measure performance, the workouts are based on EPOC — excess post-exercise oxygen consumption.
Your goal during the workout is to reach the Orange Zone: a minimum of 12 minutes in this zone will stimulate your metabolism and allows you to continue burning calories up to 36 hours after your workout.
Ellen Latham founded the company in 2010 and rebranded it from Ellen’s Ultimate Workout.
The workout: Orangetheory is a 60-minute, full-body workout, focused on training endurance, strength and/or power. Each studio is equipped with 12 treadmills, 12 rowing machines, 12 suspension unit systems, plenty of free weights and benches for sessions of 10 to 25 people, as well as bike and strider options.
Afitness coach leads the group workout through various stations including: running, row- ing and on the floor with free weights, straps, bands and balls. Workouts change daily. Classes are scheduled throughout the day and can be booked through their mobile app. Heart-rate technology: Members wear a heart-rate monitor, and the OTbeat heart rate-monitoring technology allows members to see real-time workout data on large screens throughout the studio. Monitor your improvements after a workout class through emailed results and by using the OTbeat app. Locations: More than 70 across Canada, including 30 in Ontario and four in Toronto. Cost: First class is free. Dropin: $25 to $33 for non-members, $10 to $25 for members. Membership: $89 to $200 per month. My take: Orangetheory was intense! My group started on the floor alternating between rowing, free weights and mountain-- climbers on the TRX straps. After 30 minutes we moved to the treadmills, where my Jell-O legs worked through a base, push and all-out pace at various intervals for another half an hour. I earned nine “Splat Points” for nine minutes in the orange zone. 9Round Fitness The story: Offering a kickboxing-themed fitness program, 9Round incorporates functional, interval, cardiovascular and circuit training regimens. World Champion kick-boxer Shannon Hudson founded the company in 2008 and developed a proprietary system of nine challenging workout stations. The workout: 9Round workouts consist of nine three-minute stations of activities that include cardio, weight training, core exercises and kicks and punches on100-pound, doubleend, upper cut and speed bags. Areal boxing bell will ring out to begin the workout; another ring will warn that the station is ending, and a third will signal the end. Members can take a 30-second active break between each round.
There are no set class times at 9Round, but a new circuit starts every three minutes. Workouts change daily, and there’s always a trainer to guide and motivate you. Heart-rate technology: The 9Round Pulse in-club display shows your effort, heart rate, calories burned and workout time. View your results and progress any time from the app or from your online account as well. Your results are also emailed to you after each workout. Locations: 130 across Canada, including 34 in Ontario and five in Toronto. Cost: First class is free. Dropin: $14.50. Membership: $99 to $129 per month. My take: 9Round had me sweating from the get-go, starting off with three minutes of jumping rope followed by three minutes of medicine ball squats.
By the time I got to the kickbox fitness stations and started punching the heavy bag, I felt like I was Rocky Balboa preparing to take on Ivan Drago in Rocky IV. The verdict Orangetheory Fitness and 9Round are just two examples of a growing trend of boutique gym experiences that don’t come for cheap — but fitness enthusiasts are continuing to flock to their favourites.
Finding one that works for you is as easy as booking a free introductory class and trying it out.