HAPPY 2018! A year older; a year wiser! What is on your list of resolutions for 2018? Does it include weight loss (again)?
This blog post is for those who need some GOOD and VALID advice on choosing a good gym for themselves. AND make this New Year's resolution to come true for real this time!
I know. I know. Every year in January you feel so pumped up about going to gym and you set up your marvelous goals for your body. However, you don’t know where to start and how to start, and then you forget about your goals in February.
Okay, here are some questions for you to figure out.
- Do you know how to use the machines at the open gym?
- Do you know how fast you should run to burn some fat?
- Do you think running is boring?
- Do you need someone to motivate you and prevent you from slacking off?
If the answer is YES! then Orange Theory is a great choice for you. Now this isn't a sponsored post. I've personally tried it since last year and I genuinely love it!
Orange Theory is a small group personal training gym. Each session varies from 45 -60 minutes. Before going into the class, you will need to wear a heart rate monitor to track your performance. Your performance will be shown on a TV screen along with others. What you need to do is to maintain your heart rate in a specific target zone that stimulates metabolism and increases energy.
WHAT ARE THE TARGET ZONES?
Blue zone: Warming up
Green zone: Fat burning
Orange zone: Uncomfortable
Red zone: Max heart rate
WHAT YOU GOTTA DO?
SO! what you need to do is to get yourself into the orange zone and get 12 splat points in one session. What is splat point? Splat point means how long have you stayed at your orange zone. One splat point equals one minute inside the orange zone. According to Orange Theory, you will need to get 12 splat points to keep burning calories for the next 36 hours.
The session is normally divided into two parts, the first part involves the treadmill and rowing machine. The second part is training on the suspension unit system with TRX, free weights, benches and different kinds of equipment.
Throughout the whole session, there will be a coach to teach you and guide you through. For example, for the cardio session, it is not only about running on the treadmill. The coach will design different kinds of interval for you to do and challenge yourself. And this is what I like about Orange theory. The hour-long section is fun but yet challenging and effective. Most importantly, the result is visible. You can tell by how many splat points you can get. And by looking at the monitor, you will know THIS IS NOT YOUR LIMIT because you are not in the orange zone.
IS IT EFFECTIVE?
YES! By going to two classes per week, my stomach has really flatten down (I tried to go for 3 times a week, but working at ANORAK can really get hectic =/ ). But the key is to keep pushing yourself. Don’t get satisfied by how many splat points you get. Always go over it. And, enroll the classes at the beginning of the month, so you can stick with it! (There will be charges if you skip a class without eight hours prior notice)
HOW MUCH?
For Orange Premier membership is HKD $2300 per month with unlimited access to classes. They are now having a promotion of 50% off of the first month, so it is HKD $1150. The minimum enrolment duration is two months because they need one month notice to cancel the membership. It may sound pricy but I think it’s worth the value if you go three classes per week. And it is not expensive at all comparing to those boot camp training or hiring a personal trainer. Oh! And one very important thing, the staffs are very nice and they won’t force you to subscribe to any membership!!
Last words....
All in all, this is my sincere review to all of you girls and guys out there. If you've read til here, I think you are quite determined to subscribe to a gym and you really want some legit advice. I’m not the kind of person who is very good at exercising or do I feel very motivated for going to gym. But Orange Theory is something that makes me pumped up and feel happy. Most importantly, it is not BORING AT ALL.
Feel free to DM us through Instagram, I’m more than happy to share with you my experience. I just want you to know you are not alone in this journey.
Orange Theory,
23/F, Soundwill Plaza II - Midtown, 1 Tang Lung Street, Causeway Bay. +852 5804 9081
It is also available in many countries! Check it out at https://www.orangetheoryfitness.com!