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Six weeks with Orangetheory Fitness

WTF OTF!

2/12/2012

8 Comments

 
For the kids reading this (of which there are none I'm pretty sure)...I apologize for the title and the potential language used in this post.  I thought about 'Sunshine and Rain' (I all ready used a 90's rap reference) or 'Rant and Rave'...but I'm not feeling particularly positive about OTF at the moment.  I will take a few sentences to highlight the positive, you're always supposed to compliment before criticize. The trainers and workouts have been awesome.  Particularly Patti, she actually seems to know there is a weight loss competition going on and has provided direction, inquired about how i'm feeling, and given guidance on my diet.  I'm a firm believer that interval training works and OTF has established an excellent method to deliver results to people of all fitness levels.  There simply is more to it than that.  

Before I go too far I'll recap my experiences outside of the workout studio.  It started on day 1..weigh in, if you've read my weekly breakdowns you know the issues there.  The scale was 'off' but only for me, so I was asked to adjust my weight down, or cancel the competition.  Week 1 comes and goes, week 2, week 3, week 4...and not one mention via email or even their Facebook page that there is a weight loss competition going on.  No words of wisdom, motivation, or support in any manor.  As I mentioned before ONE trainer spent time with me on the topic.  I've also entered the national challenge.  I figured there would be some corporate communication about it, it is the first time they have ever done a nationwide challenge.  Nothing...ZERO..I'm not sure that if I didn't know the key dates around the national challenge that I would probably never get asked or they even remember I needed to do a final weigh in.  It comes to week 4 weigh in and since we hadn't heard anything about the competition Meg and I asked about it.  OTF response; "Didn't someone call you?" and "Oh...the names are suppose to up on the board."  Miraculously that after noon 'the board' appeared on their Facebook page.  I took a good look at photo and the board, turns out they have the wrong percentage up for me.  I've lost more weight than OTF has on record.  How can this happen?  Damn good question, so I called to discuss and after a few days I got the numbers that they recorded.  It turns out I have different numbers down than OTF does.  Week 3 and 4 are the largest differences.  Not sure how this happened, I was standing on the scale while the numbers were written down.  My numbers are slightly lower than what they have, and week 4 they only have me loosing .4 lbs.  This is where I find myself scratching my head and saying WTF?


In one way, all these weekly numbers don't mean anything, the final weight loss number is the only one that is important in regards to winning.  Winning however is not the only reason people join a weight loss competition.  The competition serves as the vehicle for motivation.  I'm afraid OTF doesn't get it, of all people to not get it!  Ask yourself what type of client is attracted to a weight loss competition?  These are going to be people that most likely need to lose a large amount of weight and are ready to make a life change.  OTF...you are in the business of changing peoples lives, not just providing a place to get a workout.  Understand that the distractions you create by your lack of attention to detail are serious and can have significant effect on a persons motivation.  I went into this very seriously, I could have picked 'CrossFit' as my vehicle for fitness...I didn't, I chose to utilize you, pay you, and in turn would appreciate some level of communication, awareness, guidance, any form of involvement that shows you too are serious and concerned about your clients.  If I was not very committed to my personal change week 1's fiasco could have completely shut down my motivation.  The recording of my data is important to me, and I want to feel like it's important to you.  

I've went on at length...I've gotten my 'rant' down and out.  WoooSAAAAH!  I'm still very motivated to continue with the challenge and see through the changes I want to make for myself.  I'll use the phrase my Mom used, (and many others for that matter) "I'm not mad, just disappointed."   Since it's taken me 10+ years to get myself this motivated and make so many major changes, my emotions are high, I'm so vested in this I feel like everyone else should be too.  I'm sure I have a bit of tunnel vision right now, Meg can attest to that.  All I talk about is food value, working out, diet strategy.  Writing it all out is my 'therapy' I guess, and maybe my perspective on this will help in some small way.  See you at 5:30 a.m. OTF.      
8 Comments
Mom link
2/14/2012 02:30:51 am

DON'T GIVE UP !! YOU ARE DOING A GREAT JOB !! But I must say you have had your share of frustrations through all of this. Is that what all that hockey practicing/training was for - to prime you up for this? Stand up for yourself! You put a lot into this and they had better run the program right or get out of the business! I guess if I were you I too would have a serious chat with the "powers that be". I would think that they have a ruputation to protect, so would be more careful about how things are done and that they would be communicating and encouraging each of the participants. I could write them a letter, or better yet call someone! After all, they are dealing with MY son and I am very proud of you and love you LOTS!! The Mamma

Reply
Jenna
2/17/2012 08:48:32 am

I have the same frustrations about the Coral Springs OTF. That's why I just canceled my membership. The monthly fee isn't worth what I get out of it...disorganization, no follow-up or follow-through with the weight loss challenge, and apathetic front desk staff. I am better off doing interval training on my own or finding somewhere else to spend my money. Everything you said in your post is 100% accurate.

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Shane
7/3/2012 07:25:20 am

Digital Underground '' I see guys and girls dancing"

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Billy
4/26/2013 03:02:02 am

Whaaa! Stop crying and get your fat A#% to the gym. All that matters is how intense your workout is, not some stupid challenge. Get over it!!!

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Jo
11/12/2013 06:09:24 am

hahahaha agreed

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Monica
6/26/2013 01:45:27 am

Keep going!!! And I have to give a shout out to OTF Plantation, Florida. The staff is great, the front desk knows your name, your family members and great you personally. They even start little conversations with you regarding your exercises, diet, etc. All the trainers are great! They take the time to talk to you after each session, it doesn't matter if you stay every day. I haven't take part of a weight loss challenge yet, but I'm sure OTF Plantation will do a great job! Got to love them!

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Danielle
10/4/2013 05:32:57 pm

Obviously Billy doesn't get the concept to OTF. I totally agree with you. At $50-$150 a month per member I'd expect more. First of all their big thing is making it competitive. If they can't get their numbers right from day one what's the point! Sure you can keep track yourself, but that's not the point of this place. If it was all about busting ass and keeping track yourself you might as well stay some where like Planet Fitness for $10 a month. Or a gym with unlimited classes for $30 a month. I'm glad you wrote this post. It gave me insight not only in to what this gym is about, but also how over priced it is for a poorly run program. I was thinking about it, but this made me realize what a waste of money it is, when there are cheaper organizations that do competitive exercise programs (for example exercise boot camps) great post! And I lived the Woosaah it made my night!

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Mark (Site Author)
10/8/2013 02:37:01 am

Danielle...I am still a VERY happy member of OTF!! I would hate my posts and blog to do anything but convince people that they should give it a try rather than not. I created the site as an accurate log of my six week experience, the good and the bad! I've never felt any posts should be revised or taken down. OTF has had many successful weight loss challenges since I did mine, and if it's something you are looking for give it a try! You can probably still get in on the one that starts October 10th! My wife and I are doing it!

P.S. Billy has his point, but so do you...and there is a reason OTF is successful. If everyone naturally had his level of motivation to work out there would be no OTF or personal trainers for that matter.

Give OTF a try and post what you think!!

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    Mark Noordmans - Husband, son, son-in-law, brother, uncle, nepheiw, and father..to a pretty cool Boxer named Tyson. **And as of Aug. 15th, 2013..an amazing little man named Blake!   

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