Written by Tyler DiGiovanni | BSBM
Fact checked by Sam Coleman, Co-founder
FACT CHECKED
Do you love the atmosphere of working out in a group? A bunch of people coming together to overcome a beastly workout and become the best versions of themselves. There's an unmatched energy in a setting like that, and if you're reading this article, you're trying to figure out where the best place to get your fill is. While there are several options out there, two of the most well-known and widespread are Orangetheory Fitness and CrossFit. Both offer high-intensity workouts, a feeling of community, and results, but they go about it differently.
We'll help you determine which gym best suits your workout style, fitness goals, and budget.
What is Orangetheory?
Let's start with Orangetheory's origin story. While its founder, Ellen Latham, has been involved in the fitness scene since the 1990s, the first Orangetheory was established in 2010. But don't let the relative recency throw you off; at the time of writing this article, Orangetheory had over 1,500 locations.
Orangetheory was created to combine cardio and strength training into a single, intense session. What do these workouts look like now?
Orangetheory Workout Structure
Orangetheory classes are one-hour, full-body HIIT workouts divided into two cardio sections and one strength training section. Typically, each session will use:
Note: Striders and exercise bikes can also be used in place of the treadmill if needed.
It's important to understand that not everyone in the workout will be in the same shape, so adjustments can be made to fit individual fitness levels. You can ask your trainer about these changes when they do a pre-workout walkthrough.
What really sets Orangetheory apart from other gyms is the inclusion of technology and the required heart rate monitor. Orangetheory provides a heart rate monitor that will display real-time information on monitors around the studio so you can keep an eye on how you're doing.
The main goal is to get your heart rate into the "orange zone," which is 84-91% of your maximum heart rate. The idea of reaching this Goldilocks zone is that it will make you generate excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC). You also accumulate splat points for time spent in the orange zone; they don't have a purpose other than ensuring you had a great session.
Who Should Join Orangetheory?
Orangetheory is a great fit for those looking to have structured, varying, coach-led workouts. The workouts have some repetition, but those who want to check for improvements will welcome being able to test themselves on their previous workouts. For those looking for workouts that focus on endurance and calorie-burning through a mix of cardio and strength training, this checks those boxes with style.
Orangetheory has been at the forefront of incorporating technology into workouts, and anyone who thrives on receiving data and meticulously tracking their progress will find this to be an excellent fit.
Pros
- Heart rate tracking allows for real-time monitoring of workout intensity
- Scalability makes it accessible for all fitness levels
- Scalability makes it accessible for all fitness levels
- Positive group environment helps people push themselves
Cons
- Limited focus on heavy lifting, so don't expect to become the next Mr. Olympia
- Workouts can become a bit repetitive for some
What is CrossFit?
There's an ongoing joke about CrossFit: How do you know someone does CrossFit? They tell you within the first five minutes of meeting them.
But how much do you actually know about it? Cross-Fit (this is the original spelling) was first developed in 1996 by a 16-year-old named Greg Glassman, who wanted to incorporate elements of different fitness movements, such as Olympic lifting, gymnastics, cardio, and functional training, into a cohesive workout.
Glassman joined up with Lauren Jenai, and CrossFit was born in 2000. Originally putting the workouts online, the first affiliated gym (aka box) was opened in 2002. Since then, there are over 12,500 boxes worldwide. The workouts themselves revolve around high-intensity, functional movements that are supposed to prepare your body for any physical challenge it may encounter.
CrossFit Workout Structure
The bread and butter of CrossFit are Workouts of the Day, or as they're more commonly known, WODs. WODs vary daily and include a mixture of bodyweight, cardio, weightlifting, and gymnastics. They are usually up in one of the following formats:
- AMRAP (As Many Rounds/reps As Possible): For example, you may have ten minutes to AMRAP 30 air squats, 20 dumbbell snatches, and 10 burpees.
- Chipper: These include high reps with multiple movements. Requiring you to "chip away" at the reps to finish the workout as fast as possible.
- EMOM (Every Minute On the Minute): It means the set number of reps and movements is repeated every minute for a predetermined amount of time. For example, a 12-minute EMOM would consist of 15 burpees, 10 push-ups, and 20 air squats, which would be repeated at the start of every minute for 12 minutes.
- RFT (Rounds For Time): You must complete the workout in the predetermined number of rounds as fast as possible.
- Ladder: These feature increasing or decreasing reps for each round. So one round might be 1 rep, the next 2, and so on.
- Tabata: These are short, wall-to-wall workouts. They involve 20 seconds of all-out effort, 10 seconds of rest, and four minutes of repeating. They are typically done as warm-ups or finishers rather than the main workout.
You can expect to use a variety of equipment, including, but not limited to, dumbbells, kettlebells, weighted vests, barbells, pull-up bars, and tractor tires.
The high variety of workouts and uncertainty of what you'll be doing when you walk into the gym keep every day fresh.
Who Should Join CrossFit?
CrossFit isn't for the faint of heart, to put it simply. To be successful and enjoy CrossFit, you have to love high-intensity workouts that will challenge you every time you set foot in the gym. Looking to increase your cardio level and build strength? You got the right spot.
If you want a sense of community and support, CrossFit gyms are notorious for having some of the best cheerleaders found in your fellow gym-goers. That community also builds some healthy competition, with times usually posted in the gym on a whiteboard or using one of the many CrossFit record-keeping apps out there. So, if you have a competitive itch that needs to be scratched, CrossFit is a great place to do it.
Pros
- Strong community support and a sense of belonging
- Emphasis on strength and functional fitness
- Highly varied workouts keep things interesting
- Positive group environment helps people push themselves
Cons
- Higher potential for injury, particularly for beginners unfamiliar with complex movements
- Somewhat steep learning curve
Key Differences Between Orangetheory and CrossFit
If you read the paragraphs above, you should have a good idea of what sets these two gyms apart, but we'll give you a quick rundown in case you just want the Cliff's notes.
Workout Goals
Orangetheory
With the goal of elevating your heart rate, they use a combination of two cardio elements and one strength training element. The order changes, but for the most part, it will consist of using a treadmill, rowing machine, and dumbbells. The format stays fairly consistent, with no big surprises when you walk through the door. Your main competition is yourself, trying to keep your heart rate in the orange zone.
CrossFit
While it might seem like CrossFit's goal is punishing you for daring to walk through the door, the main goals are increasing your functional strength and cardiovascular health. The workout format changes every day, with some focused on cramming as many rounds as you can in and others having you try to complete the workout as fast as possible. CrossFit workouts have a competitive nature, and there is a feeling of pride for finishing at the top of the board.
Intensity and Customization
Orangetheory
One of Orangetheory's appeals is that it allows beginners to join workouts with minimal issues. Because the trainer leading the sessions walks through the workout before starting, you can request alternatives if you have issues performing what's on the docket. With the heart rate monitoring required for Orangetheory, you can tell in real time if you need to step it up or ease back, making it a great way to gauge how the workout is going.
CrossFit
CrossFit is welcoming to beginners, but let's be honest, it's a more hardcore experience. The whole point of CrossFit is to push you to your limits. If you start slacking, more than likely, you're going to have someone else in the class on you to pick it up. While you might think CrossFit is a one-size-fits-all type deal, you couldn't be further from the truth. CrossFit has gone out of its way to ensure adaptive athletes (those suffering from physical or neurological disorders) can compete and be involved in the CrossFit world.
Equipment and Facilities
Orangetheory
Walking into an Orangetheory is like stepping on a space shuttle compared to CrossFit gyms. There are monitors all over the workout space, which is also adorned with treadmills, TRX Suspension trainers, rowers, striders, exercise bikes, dumbbells, benches, BOSU trainers, and medicine balls.
As far as other amenities, don't expect too much. In general, there are a few unisex bathrooms and a couple of shower rooms, but no formal gendered locker rooms.
CrossFit
As far as equipment goes, you can expect to see dumbbells, kettlebells, barbells, squat racks, tractor tires, rowing machines, air bikes, sandbags, bumper plates, plyo boxes, and exercise bands (I'm sure there's other stuff, but that should give you a pretty good idea).
The nickname for CrossFit gyms are boxes. So that should pretty much tell you what you need to know about them. Given the staggering number of CrossFit gyms and their lack of uniformity, unlike other gym chains, there is a decent amount of variability in what each CrossFit gym includes. There are some that have two bathrooms, and that's it. And there are others that have a sauna, a separate area for more traditional weight lifting, as well as cold towels after the workout. You'll have to check your local gym to see what they offer.
Community and Culture
Orangetheory
Orangetheory provides a community that motivates people to keep coming back, one Reddit user @yaddayaddayadda13 stated:
Several people echoed their sentiments that they weren't necessarily gym people, but between the workouts and the people, they found a gym that they want to keep going back to.
CrossFit
Referencing back to the joke at the start of the What is CrossFit section, a lot of CrossFit members love talking about it because of the sense of community most boxes have. One Reddit user asked about others' experiences with their local CrossFit community, and they got a response:
Some users have said they don't have the same level of friendship outside of the gym, but while working out, everyone is supportive and pushes each other to do their best.
Cost and Accessibility
Orangetheory
Orangetheory works on a month-to-month basis, with the amount you pay dependent on the number of classes you're looking to take that month. That being said, there is a 30-day cancellation policy, so you might be paying for an extra month if you don't plan your exit well.
The payments are at three different levels:
Basic
- $79/month
- 4 classes/month
- Discounted add-on classes
- $119/month
- 8 classes/month
- Discounted add-on classes
- $129 for the first month, then $179/month after that
- Unlimited classes (recommended for people who want to do 3 or more classes per week)
So, Orangetheory isn't cheap, and if you want to give it a shot before you commit to a full month, most gyms will offer one free class. If you've already used your one free class offer and want to get the odd workout in every now and again, gyms typically charge around $35 for a single session.
CrossFit
Well, if you thought Orangetheory was expensive, you haven't seen anything yet. CrossFit gyms charge between $100 and $250 per month, depending on location, equipment, trainer certifications, and the length of the contract. If you sign up for longer terms, you may be able to get a reduced rate rather than paying monthly.
To give you an idea of what to expect, here's a look at how most CrossFit gyms price their memberships:
Unlimited
- $150 - $250
- Attend as many sessions as you would like
Limited
- $100 - $175
- Workouts are usually capped at 3x per week
Drop-Ins
- $20 - $30
- Charged that amount every workout
Committing to longer-term contracts will help bring overall costs down, but you'll still need to fork over a lot of cash.
Choosing Between Orangetheory and CrossFit
Personal Fitness Goals
If you're looking for weight loss, cardiovascular improvement, and increased endurance without lifting heavy things, Orangetheory is the one for you.
If you're looking to build muscle, improve functional strength, and increase your cardio, CrossFit is the way to go.
Fitness Level and Experience
Both gyms offer ways for people of all skill levels to be successful. That being said, Orangetheory seems more approachable for beginners and doesn't run as much risk of injury versus the complicated movements that are associated with CrossFit.
Those unfamiliar with a community workout may find that starting with Orangetheory is a great way to get introduced to it rather than the more hardcore CrossFit environment.
Injury Concerns and Safety
As mentioned before, the movements in CrossFit open the door to injury. It's easy to break form with complicated movements when you're exhausted. There's a reason you don't see Olympic lifters doing 20 overhead snatches in a row. There are substitutions for some movements in CrossFit, but you can only change so much without completely altering the workout.
Orangetheory lets members monitor their heart rate in real life so they know exactly how much they can step up or need to reel back. The cardio section has several low-impact options, and the trainer goes over all of the movements before starting the workout. Using moderate to light weights also helps reduce the chance of getting hurt.
Lifestyle and Preferences
Think about how much you plan on working out. It doesn't make sense to spend $200 on a gym membership if you're only going four times a month. Also, consider the time of day you plan on going to work out. Most Orangetheory gyms are closed by 8 p.m., while some CrossFit Boxes are open until midnight.
If you want a gym where you have predictability yet some variety, Orangetheory fits the bill. If you like being surprised and challenged every time you step foot in the iron jungle, CrossFit it up.
Orangetheory is a great gym with a solid community feel during workouts, but that feeling doesn't usually extend outside the gym. CrossFit, at least for most who do it, becomes a lifestyle.
Orangetheory vs CrossFit FAQs
Is CrossFit harder than Orangetheory?
CrossFit workouts can range from weightlifting to running to bodyweight exercises and beyond, which makes it difficult to get acclimated to them. This constant change can make them feel harder than the more predictable Orangetheory workouts. That doesn't mean you can't get an amazing workout in at Orangetheory; your effort level just needs to be up there.
Can I lose weight with either Orangetheory or CrossFit?
Absolutely! Both gyms are a great way to burn calories and trigger fat loss. But to really get weight loss going, you need to clean up your diet!
Final Thoughts
Choosing between Orangetheory and CrossFit depends on your fitness goals. Both options allow you to get stronger, lose weight, and improve your cardiovascular health, but they offer very different atmospheres.
If you want to carefully measure your progress, have some sense of community, and know what you're walking into every workout, go with Orangetheory. CrossFit, on the other hand, will give you a ton of variation, a high-intensity experience, and a strong community in the gym and out.
If you're still undecided, call your local gyms and see if you can take a trial class so you can experience both firsthand. If you're still unsure, consider reaching out to your nephew's friend who's a trainer and getting their opinion on it.
Whichever you choose, we want to hear about your experiences at these gyms! Let us know how you feel about them in the comments below!
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Tyler DiGiovanni
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