Orange Theory Fitness Opens in Plymouth

Staying motivated to workout is never easy. It’s common for people to start a routine strong, but have difficulty sticking with it. A new business in Plymouth called Orange Theory is designed to break these bad habits.

“Orange Theory offers a group fitness program that not only keeps people motivated it leads to weight loss,” said Manager Ali de Kock. “Think of Orange Theory as a curb side workout facility with excellent training for half the cost of a personal trainer.”

Orange Theory has scheduled group workouts, where each participant wears a heart rate monitor. Heart rates are projected on a flat screen tv during the 60 minute workout so each person can see how hard they’re working out.

“What’s great about this program is that people of all fitness levels can workout together, because each person can see how they’re doing and adjust their workout to get the best result.”

A typical workout, which is lead by a personal trainer, encompasses time on treadmills, rowing machines and floor work.

The routines aren’t the only thing that’s unique, so is the equipment. The rowing machines are filled with water to give people a “real rowing experience.” Along the walls are long ropes that look like tow straps, these are used in suspension training. A person can use the straps to do push-ups in mid air.

“The workouts aren’t like bootcamp, we don’t bring people in and work them as hard as possible for an hour,” de Kock said. “This is interval training at it’s finest.”

For people like Terry Rodee, it’s an intriguing idea.

“I have such a hard time getting to the gym,” said Rodee, 33, and mother of three. “I’d really like to get back to the weight that I was before my kids, but I need motivation.”

Managers at Orange Theory say they provide just that.

“A personal trainer typically helps people stick to their routine and offers advice along the way, but they are so expensive that many people stray away from them,” de Kock said. “We offer the personal training element in a fun group atmosphere, and it is attracting people to our facility.”

So far about 250 people have bought packages or memberships at Orange Theory, which range in price from $25 for one class to $159 for an unlimited membership.

It is one of three facilities that have opened in Minnesota in the last six weeks and the company plans to expand, eventually opening 20-25 facilities in the state.