Tried & Tested

WHAT: ORANGETHEORY FITNESS HIIT CLASS WHERE: LOCATIONS ACROSS AUSTRALIA COST: CASUAL CLASSES FROM $35

I was nervous before attending a class at the Orangetheory Fitness Bondi Junction location, feeling very unfit and unprepared for the one-hour workout that awaited me. I’m no stranger to HIIT training, but it had been a long time between sessions. However, as soon as I walked in, I felt safe. The trainers were so welcoming, they explained everything clearly and I immediately felt less intimidated.

So exactly what is Orangetheory? The Orangetheory workout is comprised of five heart-rate zones based on your individual heart rate. Before class starts, you get your own monitor to track your heart rate.

The workouts are strategically designed so you spend at least 12 minutes or more in the Orange Zone to get your heart rate between 84 to 91 per cent of your unique heart rate maximum. When your heart rate is elevated, you start to see and feel real changes.

The class is split into two portions: cardio, which you do on the treadmill, bike or strider; and strength training, which you do on the rower as well as floor exercises with the TRX systems, benches and free weights. Breaking up the class this way kept me distracted so the time flew by, but I won’t lie, the class is hard – especially if you’re as unfit as I was. Because of the nature of the exercise, it’s always hard, even when you’re fit. But it’s fun – so fun that I signed up and now go to class four times a week!

One of the best parts of Orangetheory is after the class when you receive a workout summary with your results; your heart rate throughout the class and the calories you have burned. That really makes you feel good!