Group fitness programs are an effective way to shake up your fitness routine and add accountability to your workout, especially if you’ve been exercising at home since the pandemic began.
For those who are looking to find a community of like-minded workout buddies, CrossFit and Orangetheory have likely bubbled up as potential choices. Though both feature group training sessions run by an experienced and knowledgeable coach or trainer, the two approaches to fitness are actually quite different in how they work, and to whom they appeal the most.
Group fitness training is a highly effective way to train
Two popular methods of group training are CrossFit and Orangetheory Fitness. If you have been trying to find a fitness program to help you get stronger, lose weight, or improve your health and energy you may have had some questions about the program for you. Let’s take a look at some of the facts about CrossFit and Orangetheory Fitness to help you make an informed decision on these training options.
Founder and Training Model
1. OrangeTheory
Founded in 2010 by Ellen Latham, Orange Theory Fitness (also known as OTF) has grown exponentially to hit over 1,000 studios across the globe. The OrangeTheory training methodology emphasizes excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) where your body will burn calories even up to 36 hours after the session.
2. CrossFit
Established in 2000 by Greg Glassman, CrossFit has been around much longer than OTF. The program brings together several exercises including weightlifting, powerlifting, callisthenics, rowing, aerobic exercise, and bodyweight exercises among others. A CrossFit workout consists of high-intensity, varied exercises that focus on functional movement.
Orangetheory vs Crossfit: Similarities
1. Beginner-Friendly
So, both orange theory and cross-fit are friendly to beginners. If you have never been to a gym, you can sign up for membership at an orange theory or cross-fit camp. You will not be subjected to intensive training in your first class. The coaches at either gym will give you beginner exercises. Such as running, jogging, press-ups, pushups, and planks among others to activate your muscles. Talk to your local fitness studio about pricing & monthly membership. Some studios even offer unlimited classes!
2. Group Workouts
Now, both Orangetheory and Crossfit sessions involve group workouts. Most people fail to follow up on their training sessions if they work out on their own. Training with a group keeps you motivated and accountable. In other words – anytime you feel like missing your gym training, your workout buddies will encourage you not to give up and to keep pushing yourself. Above all, you want to feel that afterburn!
Pros & Cons of Orangetheory & CrossFit
CrossFit
Pros
- Competition: In CrossFit, not only will you compete with the people around you during daily workouts, you’ll get the chance to compete against yourself. You won’t just track calories burned, you’ll be constantly pushing toward new strength or endurance PRs (personal records), which is innately rewarding and motivating.
- Variety: If going to the gym is just too boring for you, you’ll love the intensity and variety of CrossFit workouts. Every week, you’ll get a chance to learn new skills and improve your athletic performance in a ton of different areas. Your strength, explosiveness, and endurance will all improve across the board if you stick with the program.
- Great for beginner strength: If you really want to do strength training but have never set foot in the weights section of a gym, CrossFit is a great intro. You’ll get awesome guidance from qualified trainers who can teach you the right way to do each of the movements and rotate you through strength training (without paying a fortune for your own personal trainer).
Cons
- Not personalized: You won’t really be able to “tweak” CrossFit to meet your specific goals or address lagging areas of performance. You show up and do the class as prescribed, though you can scale the workouts to your own abilities. But if you’re weak in the lower body and want to work on your leg strength, there’s not much room in the program for customization.
- Overexertion: CrossFit is notoriously intense, and the competitive environment can sometimes encourage people to push themselves too far. Going far past your own cardio abilities, or repping out with weights that are too heavy for you, can be really dangerous and should be avoided. A good trainer will help you stay safe, but CrossFit does have a reputation for causing injuries.
- Also, it’s expensive! CrossFit gyms will cost you a pretty penny every month.
Orangetheory
Alright, so like any workout, diet, or fitness program, Orangetheory isn’t for everyone. There are some really great things and some not-so-great things about OTF.
Pros
- Effective workout: There’s no denying that you’ll burn a ton of calories during a workout at an Orangetheory studio (somewhere between 500-1000 per hour-long class). And the science behind interval training is solid. A blend of cardio, conditioning, endurance, and strength work should get great results for almost everyone.
- Supportive/fun environment: If you’re the kind of person who can’t stand going to the gym alone, you’ll love the way OTF is structured. Your stats are up on the wall for all to see, and you’ve got a professional trainer urging you on the whole way. These classes unlock your inner competitiveness and force you to push yourself harder than you normally might.
- Adaptable to all fitness levels: Remember the “splat score” from above? Orangetheory is all about measuring your effort level, not your fitness. The idea is to be in the right heart-rate zone during the corresponding portions of the class and to push yourself to give your all. If you can’t do as many reps or as intense of a workout as the person next to you, that’s perfectly fine, as long as you’re giving maximum effort within what you’re capable of.
Cons
- Can be expensive: There are lots of different class package options available to you at OTF, but no matter how you slice it, expect to pay a lot more than joining a regular gym.
- No childcare: If you join a great health club, you can drop off the kids with one of the best in-gym daycares around. But if you want to work out at OTF, you’ll have to leave the kids at home.
Orangetheory vs Crossfit: Key Differences
| Orangetheory | CrossFit |
| Aim – Orangetheory training aims to increase the heart rate and boost metabolism levels for better full-body workout results | Aim – Cross-fit focuses on conditioning and strength through movement-based workouts. |
| Equipment – CrossFit training consists of equipment like kettlebells, medicine balls, trx, plyoboxes, and gymnastic rings among others for intensive exercises. | Equipment – Orangetheory workouts involve simpler, less intensive training equipment like rowing machines, bikes, treadmills, and striders. |
| More expensive than a gym but cheaper than CrossFit | Expensive in most places |
| “Safer” for newbies | Newbies can easily hurt themselves without proper supervision |
| Easier to access than CrossFit | More challenging |
| More adaptable | More varied |
| Workouts are generally of a similar level and are more consistent | Better for strength training |
| Measures level of effort, not fitness | More options for progression |
| More personalization options | Callisthenics and bodyweight training included |
| More of a corporate gym feel with a less engaged community | Better community |
| Uses lots of rowing machines, treadmill, jumping jack, intensity interval training, circuit training, and bodyweight exercises | Emphasizes Olympic lifting, intense workouts, gymnastics, and functional exercise |
| Can encourage overexertion |
Summary
Both CrossFit and Orangetheory Fitness are popular ways to train. In CrossFit, you can expect more specific programming, a tighter community, and a great focus on strength development and functional training. Orangetheory Fitness is a bit more of a generic way to train and you can expect an upbeat cardio training session with less focus on weight training. Finding a gym that meets your specific needs is the key. A great coach is going to ask you about your goals, injuries, and experience levels. It’s all about finding a program that fits into your budget and lifestyle and most importantly delivers the results you want!
If you prefer individuality, hard work no matter what, and strength training by the bucketload, CrossFit is probably perfect for you. If you want a cardio blast with extras, a solid and safe training methodology and a great technique for weight loss, go with Orange Theory. They are the safe option, at any rate.
