Joshua Ma
May 8, 2020 01:59
I'm a big fan of Orangetheory Fitness. I was one of the first people to work out at Orangetheory Fitness Morrisville, and it introduced me to the concept. I was excited to return after 5 years away.
Orangetheory Fitness is a great combination of science, supportive coaches, and super results. Okay, last one is weak, but I don't write advertisements for OTF. Buy or rent a heart rate monitor and then workout in a small group. There are usually two groups. At the beginning of class, decide whether you want to start on the treadmill or the rower.
Goal is to spend 12 minutes at or above 84% of your maximum heart rate. This provides the important excess post-exercise oxygen consumption that allows you to burn calories for up to 36 hours after the workout. The heart rate monitors seem to be pretty accurate.
I had a great first workout when this place was opening years ago, and I had a bad workout when I returned. The coach did a horrible job of making it clear which group she was addressing. Usually coaches would say "Okay treads..." "Alright rowers..." This coach would change who she was talking to mid-sentence.
The worst part of my experience came at the end. As I was walking out, one of the front desk people said the usual "Bye, have a great night." I responded somewhat quietly, but I clearly looked over and waved. We even met eyes.
Inspite of this, the idiot felt the need to yell "Bye, have a great night" again, but this time with a very irritated tone. I told her that she didn't hear me say bye and she sarcastically said "Bye, have a great night" again. My god, does she not realize she's at work? Why couldn't she respond like a normal person and say, "oh sorry, I didn't hear you."
Poor coaching and incredibly rude front desk staff make this an Orangetheory Fitness to avoid. I have worked out at a variety of places, from Planet Fitness to Crossfit to Orangetheory Fitness, in many locales. I can tell you that this is the first time a staff member at any gym felt the need to be rude to me.
The management here clearly doesn't give a damn. I filled out the survey that OTF sends, and I provided the same feedback that I provided here. The studio manager did not call me and even provide a half-hearted apology. I hope this place closes for good.