The theory is based on EPOC or Post exercise oxygen consumption. As a sales associate at Orangetheory, we simplify this idea for the average person and just call it the after-burn. This is the idea that the average person will be burning calories for up to 36 hours after they workout. But how?
Orangetheory works in 5 heart rate zones that for simplification reasons, we denote by colors: Gray, blue, green, orange and red. The idea is that you spend 12 minutes or more in the "Orange Zone" which has your heart rate at 84% to 91% of your max. In order to allow people to know where their heart rate is at all times and allow for them to maximize their heart rates, a screen attaches to heart rate monitors worn by the members of the fitness club that show them their heart rates and zones in real time.
By doing this, OTF ensures that people will increase their heart rates to the sweet spot where they will have post exercise oxygen consumption. EPOC causes the replenishment of energy resources, re-oxygenation of blood and restoration of circulatory hormones, decrease in body temperature, and return to normal breathing rate and heart rate(Kravitz, Reynolds, 2001). In return, the expenditure of energy and the burning of calories.
Ellen Latham, the genius women who mixed business, fitness and science now owns one of the fastest growing businesses in the world. Many have tried to replicate something like Orangetheory but have failed. So why is Orangetheory the best workout in the market? Because of the basic knowledge of physiology.
Kravitz, L. (2015). Research sheds new light on the exercise “afterburn.”
IDEA Fitness Journal, 12(4), 16-18.
Reynolds, J.M. & Kravitz, L.
(2001). Resistance training and EPOC. IDEA Personal Trainer, 12(5), 17-19.
Vella, C.A. & Kravitz, L. (2004).
Exercise After-Burn: A Research Update, IDEA Fitness Journal, 1(5), 42-47.
What specifically about utilizing these different heart rate zones is effective for burning the most calories? Why isn't just using say two or three of them less effective? I like the personal aspect you added to this post!
ReplyDeleteWhat do the different colors stand for (range of heart rate within each color)? I think its great that they have designated a color with where your heart rate zone is at while your exercising. However, I would like to know how is orange theory fitness able to help a member who has had problems in the past being in the orange or even red zone due to having heart problems. Would the exercise be modified for that person? And if so how would those changes affect the ability of the person to see changes in their ability to "lose weight", if that were their ultimate goal? Essentially, would the exercise still be just as effective for that individual.
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