Orangetheory Fitness Mount Vernon Triangle

Orangetheory Fitness studios are popping up everywhere these days, and for good reason. The 60-minute HIIT workout leaves you panting and checking out your newly defined biceps in the mirror. All it takes is some high energy music and periodic instruction from the instructor to “Take it up into the orange zone!” before you’re high-fiving your tread neighbor and mentally booking your next class.

RUNDOWN

WORKOUT

It’s a 60-minute run, row, lift triathlon. Like any good personal trainer, Orangetheory workouts are designed to have you targeting and strengthening specific muscle groups in each class, as well as getting your heart rate up. So what does it mean to “take it up into the Orange Zone”? For those Type A, data-driven types out there, Orangetheory offers a real-time display of your heart rate information, categorizing you into the Gray, Blue, Green, Orange, and Red zones (hence, the studio’s name), a feature that pushes you beyond what you thought was physically possible. You earn “splat points” based on the number of minutes you spend in the Orange or Red zones, aka building that after-workout calorie burn,”  

The run: Broken up into 1-3 minute base, push, and sprint sequences, this is where you’ll get most of your “splat points”. The instructor will cue each segment, and modifications are available for walking, jogging, and running.   

The row: Similar to the run, the water rower segment is often broken up into time or distance trials, then interspersed with medicine ball or weight exercises to keep your heart rate up.

The floor: This is where we lift. If you’re expecting to work every muscle group in a single class, Orangetheory may not be for you. The classes are designed to build on each other, so one day may be heavy legs, while another is abs and triceps. Either way, with plenty of squats, dips, burpees, and planks to go around, you’re sure to be sore the next day.

INSTRUCTOR

If you weren’t already awake when you walked into class, Inez will make sure you’re awake before too long. The energy she brings to the studio never lapses. This is great news when you’re not sure if you’ll make it through the final 60-second sprint on the treadmill and her voice comes in encouraging you to take it up a notch. Somehow she always knows exactly what you need to hear. And her instructions on the floor are clear and precise – just don’t think you’ll be able to deadlift as much weight as her. Inez is proof of why it’s so hard to recreate the experience of an Orangetheory workout on your own, and why we’ll keep coming back for more.

SPACE

Orangetheory Fitness Mt. Vernon has dark and flattering studio lighting, but there are also enough windows that you don’t feel like you’re in a basement. Don’t worry – the windows are tinted in case you’re self-conscious about a passerby that may judge your pace and look of anguish on the treadmill. (Hey, what happens at Orangetheory stays at Orangetheory).

Need to shower post workout? The studio has three shower rooms equipped with shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. With such limited changing space, though, the showers can be in high demand, especially after early morning classes.