**This review is specifically for my experience with trying their Intro Class for first-timers…read more Warning: This is going to be a long one.** I'm an active person and I'm always looking for new ways to spice up my fitness routines. I've heard so much hype about Orange Theory over the past few years. I had to kill my curiosity and give it a try myself. SIGNING UP: The Hackensack location offers an intro class at $12 for first-timers. It's only free for specific locations. I signed up on the website and chose a 12pm class on a Friday. Keep in mind that they would like you to arrive around 30 minutes prior to the start time just so they can give you a mini "orientation". On the day of my class, I was greeted by one of the front desk employees, Jackie. She was enthusiastic, informative, and overall a pleasure to speak with. She explained what I would expect out of the class, gave me a tour of the studio, and went over my medical history/consent forms. WHAT IS ORANGE THEORY?: To sum OT up in a nutshell, it's basically a fitness studio that offers one hour group fitness classes, specifically two types: a HIIT-based one and a strength training one. I've only tried the HIIT one, so I can't speak on the other. Each class is led by a coach who instructs and guides you on the workout for the full hour. We rotate between three stations: treadmills, rower machines, and free weights/body weight exercises (planks, bicep curls, squats, lunges, etc.). The workouts change daily so there's always a new challenge. Everyone wears a heart monitor that the studio provides so we can track our heart rate. The monitors are synced up with each machine and on a giant screen so we can actually see how fast or slow we're going as well as everyone else's. There are different "zones" of heart rates, with each one representing the percentage of your maximum HR. For most of the workout, you want to try to stay in the ORANGE zone, which is 84-91% of your max HR. MY EXPERIENCE: Jeff was my coach. To put it simply, he was awesome. He had great energy, gave enough personal attention to everyone in class, and was encouraging the whole time. He also had a fire playlist, so that helped a lot haha. The other members were very friendly and welcoming. No judgment here- everyone came from varying level of fitness backgrounds, all shapes and sizes, and all ages. They have a strong sense of community, which is always nice in a fitness environment. I really enjoyed the class and I'm actually surprised at how much fun I was having. I'm not really into HIIT or cardio classes so this was a nice change from my usual weight lifting. I liked how I was able to see my heart rate and how hard I was working. After the class, Jackie followed up with me about how I felt and how I did. You're able to see your "stats" after every workout, like when and how fast your heart rate was changing and calories burned. She explained to me the different membership options and she wasn't pushy at all. Their memberships come in either a package of 4, 8, or unlimited classes each month. FINAL THOUGHTS: Although I had a positive experience, I decided not to sign up. Why? It doesn't exactly fit into my current fitness routine/goals. I'm a dancer and I also lift weights 4-5 times a week. I don't see myself taking their classes that often. At most, I might take a class twice a month, or maybe 3. I think their classes are motivating and challenging, but aren't my cup of tea. I prefer a gym floor with dumbbells, barbells, squat racks, benches, and machines... they don't have that here. Orange Theory is great for getting your cardio in and building your endurance, but I don't recommend it for those who really want to build more muscle, gain strength, and hit higher PRs. Last but not least, I think the prices are a little outrageous. $89/month for 4 classes, $189/month for unlimited, AND $100 for the heart rate monitor is not really worth it to me... Regardless of your fitness goals and experience, I still think taking an intro class is worth a try. If you like it and don't want to sign up for a membership, it's $28 for a drop-in rate + $10 for the heart rate monitor rental.

I've been working out my whole life and I was on this rut where I wanted to try different workouts…read moreso I tried OT. I love it. One hour of sweat and challenging myself - any of the workouts I do. The instructors are very knowledgeable and motivating. I love watching my splats and using the wristband to stay in the orange. I highly recommend trying as I have many friends that did not work out and they are now members.

Gene, Ali & Kaeos team have changed my life! They create a comfortable, friendly & non-intimidating…read moreenvironment that encourages progress to meet your goals. When I began training at Kaeos I had difficulty getting up from a seated position on the floor & less than 2 years later I can do sit ups & pull ups without flinching. Beginning training at Kaeos was one of the best decisions I have ever made! Thank you Kaeos family!

I highly highly recommend Kaeos Fitness to anyone in the Bergen County area! They are hands down…read moreone of the best gyms in the tri-state area. We just moved from NYC and looked at several gyms. They have state of the art equipment and the gym has a great vibe, but what makes it a stand out is the training. If you are looking for a trainer Ali is among the best. He tailors the workout to your level and works with you to achieve your fitness goals, regardless of where you are. In just a few short weeks we have seen noticeable results!

I've had such a great experience at Anytime Fitness. From the moment you walk in, the environment…read morefeels welcoming, positive, and genuinely supportive. Victoria and Jean are the first smiles you see- always welcoming and helping. The staff and members create a space where you don't feel judged--just encouraged to show up and do your best. What really made a difference for me were the small group classes that helped all fitness levels as well as the layout of the gym. Coaches Erika, John C., Marquise, Jon and Adriel are fantastic and really want to see you succeed! In fact, it felt empowering to know I could adjust things and still make progress. The atmosphere makes it easy to stay consistent, even on days when motivation is low. Overall, it's a place where real people work toward real goals, and that positivity makes all the difference.

Solid anytime in New Jersey. At the time that I was there, there was a huge hole in the corner of…read morethe gym, which apparently came from some highschoolers who were messing around. I would say that every time has their own style in terms of what random machine they put in. For me it was the standing dip machine that I thought was really cool.

I've had such a great experience at Basecamp Edgewater. From the moment you walk in, the energy is…read morepositive, welcoming, and motivating. Risa greets you with the best smile! The staff and members create an environment where you feel supported no matter your fitness level, which made a huge difference for me. What I really appreciate is how adaptable the coaches make the workouts--there's always an option to modify exercises for all levels, so I never felt discouraged or left behind. Instead, I felt empowered to work at my own pace while still being challenged. All of the coaches add their own personality-music included -and encouragement which is great. A shout out to coaches Erika, John C., Jon,Marquise-I mean everyone! It's a place where you can truly grow, feel good about yourself, and stay consistent. I'm so glad I found it!

Ashley is great ! She makes the time go quickly . She is very helpful. Ashley will always show…read moremodifications for those of us who are new to her workout.

I have been going to this local gym for several months. I have been impressed with the cleanliness…read moreof the facility and the individual trainer's attention to the needs of the clients. I am training with Hailey Osterhout who has been working with me on achieving my goals. Hailey works closely with me to set and meet my goals. I am very pleased with the improvement that I have seen. I would recommend Hailey to anyone who is looking for an experienced personal trainer

Now that I'm on year 2, OTF Montvale is still a great option for those looking for some fitness in…read moretheir schedule. They've had some staffing changes as of late, but as long as you remain consistent, you will continue to improve your fitness. Some will question their $189 monthly membership (for unlimited classes) compared to a Lifetime membership. It's a little high, but I think it's worth the focused workout. When I feel I'm not getting my monies worth, I'll switch to a Drop or Lifetime membership.

I love this location! I was visiting the area recently and decided to stop by the Montvale branch…read more-- and I'm so glad I did. The building looks like a barn on the outside, which gives it such a unique charm, and the inside was super clean and really cute. The staff was welcoming, and the overall vibe made my workout such a great experience. Loved my visit and hope to be back

We rented space at The Anvil and couldn't have asked for a better experience. The staff is super…read morefriendly, extremely professional, and attentive to our needs. Their top-notch facility is setup to cater to any sports organization and offer a variety of fitness programs. We will definitely do business with them again. On behalf of Cheer Army, Thank you!

This is my go to gym when I need a great workout. I live in Manhattan and travel all the way out…read morehere about 2-3 times. The trainers there are very experienced and so nice. My favorite is Kenta! The equipment is all state of the art and it's not crowded so I can jump from exercise to exercise quickly. I can always say that "I've had the best workout of my life" every time I go and train. They even have a 3D Body Scanner that shows your progress, its so helpful for the mental aspect of training. I love the protein shake flavors they offer here and they are very cheap too. Since joining I was able to lose 20lbs and Im feeling stronger with every workout. The price isn't bad either, most people who take their health seriously should definitely invest here given all the amenities they offer. If you are the casual gym goer and go the gym once a month maybe this isn't for you, but if you want to see progress then definitely check this place out!

Absolutely love the staff here! Monday nights with Jonathan are actually something I look forward…read moreto!!! And that's says a lot coming from a girl who used to hate the gym!!! I love coming to CKO they kick my a#% in the best way possible. Been coming here 1-2x a week and also cycling 1-2x a week and i've lost 16lbs. Definitely can credit these guys and also Wednesday nights with Griselda. Two amazing instructors and classes.

CKO is such a great workout! I don't come here as often as I should...oops. Lol…read more It can be hard to follow the combos sometimes because the instructors move quick, but you can do it at your own pace. If there's a routine you can't do, you can do something similar such as squats instead of jump squats, etc. The new owner Luis is very friendly and welcoming! My fave classes are with trainers Jonathan and Brandie. I actually went to Brandie's class tonight - her playlist is on point!! I love how she always ends her classes with Linkin Park's "one more light" for the cooldown. She kicked my butt tonight - in a good way!