I tried Orange Theory in Uptown Dallas. There is a trainer encouraging you every step of the way. This hour-long HIIT class is a combination of rowing, running, and lifting, but is very friendly for all fitness levels.

For the first half of the class, I was on the lifting + rowing side. We warmed up for each circuit by doing a minute or less of rowing, and if we finished the interval early we would go back to the rowing machine until the time was up. Each circuit consisted of 5 steps that were all displayed with cartoon demonstrations on the TVs.

For example, our first training circuit went like this:

• 12 reps of sumo squats with 25 lb. kettlebells
• 6 reps of super burpees (burpees with an arm curl followed by a high press at the top) with 10 lb. weights
• 12 reps of sumo squats with 25 lbs kettlebells
• 12 reps of jump squats with no weight
• 12 reps of sumo squats with 25 lbs kettlebells
• Finish off on the rowing machine

We did three separate intervals of this then switched to the treadmills. 

Throughout the entire workout, everyone wears a heart monitor band which then shows up on the monitors around the room so you can see what area you are in during each activity. Green (base heart rate), orange (medium heart rate), or red (really pushing yourself). I thought it was great to see where I was at during each segment to see if I could push myself harder or if I was at the right pace, especially on the treadmill. The monitor encouraged me to get my heart rate out of the orange zone and really push myself to get a burning workout in. I really enjoyed being able to see where I was at at all times, not to mention where others around me were. I’m a competitive person, so that was a major motivator as well… friendly competition is good!

Orange Theory has a special routine for every type of athlete. Depending on whether you classify yourself as a speed walker, jogger, or runner, they have a chart with some suggested paces to go at for each part of the interval runs. For the thirty minutes spent on the treadmill, they know how to make it go by quick. I was constantly changing my speed from a base speed to a pushing speed to an all-out with an occasional 30-second walk break to catch my breath. Going into the class, I classified myself as one of the joggers, but throughout the short intervals, I was able to get up to 9.5 mph during the all-out phases and keep up with the athlete next to me who was definitely a runner.

At the end of the session, the monitors showed all of our stats and I had burned 500 calories! I had fun and it paid off! It feels go to start off your day with an accomplishment which is why I like to workout and challenge myself in the mornings.

I highly recommend this class to anyone and everyone! It can seem like an intimidating place at first, but it was not as bad as I was expecting it to be. The trainer is motivating, the atmosphere is light, and the workout shows results! What more could you want? Not to mention the runner’s high you feel after. I would (and will) go back in a heartbeat.