The American Heart Association recommends adults strive for 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week to support their cardiovascular health. Adding strength training into your workout ups the benefits even more, laying the foundation for good health now and well into the future.
“As we get older, everybody needs to maintain their strength in order to complete the basic tasks and activities of everyday living,” said Jeff Lorenz, Omaha Orangetheory Fitness franchise owner. “If you’re going to live a longer life, we want you to also have the strength to live a quality life.”
Founded by Ellen Latham in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, back in 2010, Orangetheory Fitness now claims 1,500 exercise studios worldwide, including five locations in the greater Omaha region: downtown, Midtown, Papillion, Bellevue and two in West Omaha.
Under the motivational guidance of certified coaches, the Orangetheory model focuses on one-hour, full-body workouts that feature high-intensity interval training, or HIIT, to build strength and endurance. Half of each class is spent on a treadmill, stationary bike or strider; the other 30-minute block utilizes free weights, body-weight suspension training, or TRX, balance balls, rowers and other floor equipment. No two sessions are ever the same, as the routine changes each day to keep things fresh and interesting.
All participants wear heart rate monitors that display real-time results on screens throughout the studio to make sure they’re achieving VO2 max, a measure of how efficiently their bodies are processing oxygen. By getting their heart rates into a target “Orange Zone” for 12 to 20 minutes, Orangetheory members are able to supercharge their metabolisms and even keep burning calories for up to 24 hours after the class ends.
“Combining HIIT with targeted weightlifting helps improve your cardiovascular efficiency and functional strength. Balancing both is proven to build lean muscle and boost longevity,” he said.
Orangetheory workouts are appropriate for adults of any age or fitness level, from beginners to experienced long-distance runners.
“We have a lot of people who come in here and have never run before,” Lorenz said. “They start out power-walking, then gradually move into jogging and eventually running. It’s a very cool progression to witness.”
Orangetheory Fitness offers three levels of membership: basic, elite and premier — all of which allow access to a full range of classes at any franchise location. They recently partnered with Hyrox, bringing in this popular fitness-racing competition that combines running and functional workout stations. “We’re now an official training center to help people who want to prepare for those kinds of events,” he said.
Whether they visit every day or once a week, Orangetheory members reap the health rewards of improved strength, toned muscles, increased stamina and calorie burning for weight management.
“At Orangetheory, we see ourselves as our members’ partner in longevity,” Lorenz said. “It’s our mission to help them live longer, more vibrant lives.”
Orangetheory offers a free introductory class to first-time visitors at select locations. To start your own Orangetheory Fitness journey or for more information, visit orangetheory.com.
