With my move from NYC to SF, I’m fortunate that I went from one awesome fitness city to another. As a lover of all-things fitness, exploring SF means checking out all the different fitness and wellness studios and active opportunities around town. I’m going to share my experiences with you, from SF and as I travel to different cities and check out the fitness scenes. I used to highlight workouts and studios more on this blog, and now I’m bringing it back with the Sweat Spotlight!
Sweat Spotlight: Orangetheory Mission Bay
What better way to kick it off than with one of the places I teach, Orangetheory Fitness. I wrote about my experience at OTF NYC a while back, but now as a coach, I have more insight into what makes the workout so awesome. Each 60-minute full body workout challenges members to surpass their limits. In class you’ll work on treadmills, rowers and the weight floor. Students wear a heart rate monitor so you can check your progress and how hard you’re working throughout class. It’s called Orangetheory because each heart rate zone has a color, orange is at 84% of your max heart rate. The goal of each class is to be in that orange zone, which is challenging and uncomfortable, for 12 or more minutes. Reach that goal and your body will continue burning calories long after class ends. If your someone who likes to know how many calories you burn with each workout, this is the most accurate recording thanks to the heart rate monitors.
While each day includes full-body workouts, each day has a different focus:
- Strength: Inclines on the treadmills, heavier weights on the weight floor
- Endurance: Longer blocks of work on the treadmills, continuous movement on the weight floor
- Power: Quick sprints on the treadmills, explosive movements on the weight floor
There are currently two OTF San Francisco locations, Mission Bay and Financial District. The studios have only been open a few months and are quickly growing a strong and loyal membership base.
I’m currently teaching about 10 classes a week and try to take 2-3 classes a week. I can definitely feel myself getting stronger each workout, I’ve been steadily increasing my treadmill speeds and have greatly improved my rowing form. I mentioned this in my last post about The Giant Race, but to expand a bit, I believe that working out at OTF lead me to what I think is my 10k PR. Intervals on the treadmill with sprints and inclines is a great way to improve your running.
Is OTF for you?
This workout is great for a variety of goals. We have a ton of members striving to lose weight and gain overall health. We also have a group of members that are already in incredible shape and OTF continues to challenge them to get faster and stronger. Training for a race? It’s great for that too as compliments to your longer runs. Because each workout is super customizable for each student, from people new to working out, to fitness pros, it works for everyone.
Orangetheory Studio Costs
Orangetheory in SF isn’t cheap, but it’s worth it. The workouts are different everyday and no matter your fitness level, you’ll be able to challenge yourself each day.
You can buy class packs and do drop ins, but to really see results, we recommend coming 3-4x per week and offer memberships to accommodate this. Because memberships are encouraged, you get to know your fellow members and the instructors get to know you, and then we can help push you to reach your goals.
Orangetheory Studio Amenities
The Orangetheory Mission Bay studio has classes as early as 5am and as late as 8pm. There are only two showers but it’s not too hectic in the mornings if you’re heading straight from the studio to work. As classes get more crowded, this might become an issue if you’re in a rush getting to the office. For your first class you’ll get a free water and sweat towel, after that you’re responsible for bringing your own. The studio is spacious and clean.
Post Class Treats Near Orangetheory Mission Bay
After class at Orangetheory Mission Bay, I recommend grabbing an acai bowl at the Bowl’d Acai truck at Spark Social (601 Mission Bay Blvd) or an almond milk matcha latte at Cafe Reveille (610 Long Bridge St).
If you’re interested in checking out OTF, send me a message and come as my guest. I’d love to show you what it’s all about!
Any questions about the workout or the studio? Please comment below.
