Come January, we're all making resolutions. Sleep more. Eat Less. Stop committing. Cut out carbs. Whatever it is, we all have our thing. For many, hitting the gym is often top on the list of things we wish we would do more of. And when you have kids, fitting the time for fitness into schedules piled with meetings, practices, rehearsals and homework can feel impossible.
Let's face it. There will never enough time to get it all done. So, if you knew you could burn 500 to 1,000 calories in one hour and continue burning calories after you finish exercising, you just might make the time to workout.
Designed with the hope of making anyone who tries it feels successful, Orangetheory Fitness is a major win for busy moms. The total-body workout paired with the science of the Orange Zone ensures you maximize your 60-minutes and meet your goals, while the OTbeat technology measures your heart rate data and performance so you can track your progress and see how much stronger you’re getting every day.
Orangetheory offers moms the variety they crave in a workout. No two workouts are exactly the same which helps confuse your muscles so they never adapt, and therefore helps to burn more calories and gain muscle.
We talked with Milford's Orange Theory Fitness Head Trainer, Heidi Langan about OTF, motherhood and making the time for physical fitness.
Q: The American Heart Association recommends that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity per week – or a combination of the two. How does OTF help meet that goal?
A: The Orangetheory workout is comprised of five heart rate zones based on your individual heart rate. Our workouts are strategically designed so you spend at least 12 minutes or more in the Orange Zone to get your heart rate between 84 to 91% of your unique heart rate maximum. When your heart rate is elevated, you’ll start to see and feel real changes in your body. These aren't ordinary workouts you typically find at a local gym. Our workouts are between 45 min and 60 minute and maximal results are seen when members attend 3 or more classes per week. By coming, you are lowering your risk of heart disease which can add years to your life!
Q: What can you expect at an OTF Workout?
A: Orangetheory Fitness is a 1-hour, full-body group workout, focused on training endurance, strength and power. We use heart rate-based interval training, which burns more calories post-workout than traditional exercise. When wearing our exclusive OTbeat heart rate monitors, your real-time results are displayed on large screens throughout the studio. Intensity is based on your own individual heart rate zones, making the workout effective for all fitness levels.
You will either start on the treadmill, bike or strider for the cardio portion or on the rower for the strength training portion, which includes floor exercises with the TRX system, benches and free weights. The coach will explain how to do each floor exercise as well as the interval length and speed suggestions during the cardio portion. After the workout is completed, the coach will then lead the class through a cool-down stretch. After class, you will receive a workout summary with your results, which includes the total number of Splat points earned, (splat points = minutes spent in each heart rate zone), calories burned, and heart rate statistics.
Q: Why is it important to connect your heart to your workout?
It’s a known truth that exercise is good for you, and we champion all forms of exercise. But science suggests you maximize the benefits of exercise when you get your heart rate up. That’s why we call Orangetheory the multivitamin — it’s a full body workout that changes the body from inside out. Each time you go "all out", you're training your heart to become more efficient over time. And by adding strength training to your routine at least twice each week, not only are you strengthening your body, you are strengthening your heart too!
Q: Why OTF? Where did you work as a trainer before and why do you love OTF?
I have always been an athlete and very interested in all things fitness related. Running D1 in college led me to start a Running Coaching business and with that came Personal Training both with individuals and groups. Big Box gyms are really not my favorite. I would always cringe at what was going on, from members having incorrect form and not being corrected by trainers to people coming in and having little direction as to what they should be doing. Spending an hour watching a movie on the treadmill at a steady state is not going to benefit you at all, mentally or physically.
I LOVE OTF because it has PROVEN results! We have certified trainers to ensure that you are performing exercises safely and effectively. We can accommodate injuries, joint discomfort or orthopedic issues. But my favorite part it that you can be any where on your fitness journey, whether just beginning a routine program, an under conditioned member or a veteran athlete…this workout is inclusive for people of all abilities. I have worked at multiple locations but I especially love our studio in Milford… our members are amazing and the community is second to none. Everyone is SO welcoming which can really alleviate the intimidation factor to anyone just starting out.
Q: As a mom, you’re probably pretty busy. What’s the secret for fitting in workouts into jam-packed schedules of so many parents?
A: You have to find time for YOU! It is so important for your children to have happy and healthy parents. You need to make time…and, at Orangetheory, it really is only 3 hours of your entire week. We offer an array of class times so depending on your personal schedule, you could do a class at lunchtime, before school drop off, after work or after your spouse/partner comes home, during playdates or even sharing playdates so you and another fellow mom can workout. This happens frequently with our members ….one will watch the kids while the other works out and then they switch! Us moms/caregivers know how much we need that 1 hour of ‘me’ time! In that one hour you not only will burn a high number of calories but because OTF is based on the science of EPOC, excess post-exercise oxygen consumption, you will continue to burn calories long after your workout is over.
Q: What does motherhood & fitness have in common?
A: I think they both give us unnecessary guilt! How can we be the best moms? How can we get in better shape? I’m not doing enough! We need to adapt through our new schedules with children as they grow just as we have to adapt through our personal journey with both weight gain/loss and exercise. Both require us to have time management and positive mindsets. I strongly believe that as parents we need to foster healthy lifestyles and teach our children, by our actions, that exercise is key to providing more life outside of the studio! Our children are always watching us and we are their biggest inspiration.
