Mike and Christina Singer are no strangers to healthy entrepreneurialism. With a combined 40 years of experience in working the community into shape, the owners of Pinecrest Pilates are on the verge of unveiling their newest entry in what has been a life’s passion of fitness and wellbeing.
Located at 8511 SW 136 St. and set to open soon, Orange Theory Fitness offers a new and exciting amalgam of time-tested exercises complimented by modern fitness theory. Taking the increasingly busy schedules of modern society into consideration, every group workout session offered lasts exactly one hour; no more, no less.
“Orange Theory is an exercise based on science,” says Mike Singer. “Each workout is what I would call ‘the perfect combination,’ adequately fulfilling our need for cardiovascular strength and endurance, resistance training both large and small muscle groups, and includes flexibility and core strength exercises.”
Although the exercise regimen described sounds quite similar to most well-developed modern workouts, all comparisons should end there; modern physiological science played a great role in Orange Theory’s conception. Created by local fitness icon Ellen Latham, the system is based on excess post exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC), also known as metabolic afterburn.
“All of our participants wear a cardio GX heart rate monitor that wirelessly transmits their age-adjusted heart rate into five color-coded zones on flat screen TVs in our studios,” Singer says.
The goal is to spend between 12 and 20 minutes in the orange zone during each workout. This results in an after-burn effect on the body’s metabolism that can last up to 36 hours after finishing one session. When combined with a food coaching program, Orange Theory participants have an average weight loss of five and 10 pounds a week for women and men, respectively.
“Essentially, you will be burning more calories even in your sleep,” says Singer.
The facilities will be fully outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment, from inclined treadmills to rowing machines chosen specifically for use with the Orange Theory fitness system’s emphasis on functional training. All the latest toys, such as Bosu balls, kettle bells, suspension trainers and scooters are there as well, ensuring that no training session will ever run the risk of becoming monotonous.
Workout sessions at Orange Fitness are done in groups at very affordable rates. Members can set their desired schedules easily online and classes are offered as early as 5:30 a.m. or as late as 8 p.m., with roughly 50 classes offered weekly. Though a variety of classes are offered, each class costs $10, unless you sign up for the unlimited class package.
Because of the flexibility the system offers as a result of its age-adjusted heart rate monitors and group setting, Orange Theory is especially unique in that any given group consists of a wide range of ages, from teenagers to senior citizens. Although it is still a high-intensity workout and may be unsuitable for people with certain health limitations, the system was designed to accommodate all levels of fitness.
In the week leading up to the grand opening, Orange Theory will offer free mock classes and invites everyone in the community to come, participate and see if they like it. For more information, go to www.orangetheoryfitness.com or call 305-232-7722.
