Orangetheory Fitness — Attraction in Durham

UPDATE: I started going to this studio in 2022 and have waxed and waned in my attendance due to personal and family health issues. However, no matter how long I’ve been away, it is always easy to come back. The members feel like family and are always so welcoming to new folks. Coach Erinn is leaving OTF, which we are all sad about, but this studio in particular remains my favorite of any I’ve been to in the triangle. I will continue to enjoy classes with all the coaches, especially Jaay!

Most importantly, I am still injury free! I love how supportive this studio’s community is. It’s “choose your own adventure” in terms of how competitive you want to be. I always feel safe and comfortable, yet supported in how much I want to challenge myself. —— This studio is something special. The coaches are all amazing and the head coach, Erinn, really sets a high bar.

I started taking Orange Theory classes in July of 2022 with a fair bit of trepidation. I was worried it would feel like some kind of fitness cult. Although I have always had a BMI below or within average ranges, I was never in great shape and struggled with significant muscle weakness. I decided, as a very research-oriented person, that the best thing to do to prepare for my new era of aging was resistance training.

I had a pretty bad shoulder injury when I started, and was afraid to use anything but the lightest weights. Coach Erinn has helped me more than my PT with form, advice, and encouragement.

In two years, going very slowly and sometimes not super consistently, I’ve gone from using 5 and 8 lb handweights and not even being able to do wall push ups without pain to being able to squat 70lbs, do 15 pushups (from my toes) in a row. My cardiovascular health (from running) has also improved greatly. I don’t suffer from exercise-induced asthma while running anymore.

The best things, though, are 1)that I’m still injury free and 2)that we have an amazing community at this studio. I’ve taken OTF classes around the US during travel . While they’ve all been great, MLK has a really special camaraderie and diversity. The glue is the head coach. Some of the other studios have a competitive edge that isn’t my jam. Here, everyone cheers each other on in a very healthy way.

Even the front desk staff (especially Della) are amazing! Always very professional, always going above and beyond, always providing top notch customer service.

Our coaches deserve the best—my only hope is that Big OTF gives them plenty of incentive to stay. This feels like my fitness “home” and I hope it stays that way for many...

I’ve already spoke to the local manager and the OTF corporate office and neither seemed to care. I tried to speak to this company like an adult, and not run to social media like everyone does these days, but it was a waste of time. Here's my experience with OTF Durham:

I did ONE class at OTF and got charged two monthly fees of $90. So, $180 for sixty minutes of gym time. I tried to cancel earlier and was allowed to put my account on hold. Then I had to relocated for work, to an area that the closest OTF is over two hours away, and I was finally able to cancel. At NO TIME did any of the OTF employees mention the month fee after canceling. Also, since I moved to an area where there isn’t an OTF I couldn’t utilize the last month I was charged for. I worked in a membership office at a gym for 4 years. This is awful customer service and I’m extremely disappointed in how OTF handled this. I understand the month fee after canceling is pretty standard with any gym, but sometimes situations occur and you waive a fee as a courtesy.. Clearly making money is more important than their clients and their client's well being. I will never join OTF, and I’ve already talked three friends out of joining this gym. Fitness has been a huge part of my life for years. The community and family it builds is something real. Clearly the owners of OTF don’t share those beliefs and that’s not a community I want to be apart of.

Follow up. After canceling, and paying $180, I was just charged ANOTHER $90. Great customer service.

If you're looking for a gym, there are plenty of other options in the Durham area.

2nd follow up after "owner's" reply: Everything hasn't been resolved. Your company refunded me the $90 I was changed, as an error, after canceling and paying the additional month. This was a mistake because they didn't cancel my membership properly. I had to take time out of my day to check my bank account, and call the gym twice since my call wasn't returned. Thankfully the second person I spoke to was polite (Tommy) and treated me better than anyone else here has. I'm still extremely disappointed with this gym and the staff. Again, nothing with my issues has...

I always look forward to OTF workouts!

Despite being a group class, you can really personalize them to accommodate your own fitness goals or injuries/limitations. Whether you are looking to train for more muscle, burn fat, or simply be more active, coaches are always happy to guide you on your own journey. This community is diverse and accepting of people from all backgrounds and body types!

As someone who was a traditional gym-goer, OTF’s strengths lie in the group/coach motivation to push harder as well as the fact that you don’t need to plan your workout. You only need to show up and follow their plan, because they have already thought through which muscle groups to train and in which order. There is plenty of variety in exercises, utilizing TRX straps, bosu balls, benches, and weights, which have encouraged me to try moves I had never considered at the traditional gym and keep classes exciting.

However, OTF may not be for you if your schedule is unpredictable and you are looking to take classes at popular times. Some classes fill quickly, and if you pre-book and cancel within 8 hours of class, you are charged a $12 fee. I do wish this location offered more evening strength classes and 6:45 pm classes, but I mitigate this by taking classes in chapel hill and southpoint each week.

OTF membership is pricey (though Duke employees get a discount), but it’s an investment in your long-term health. Nothing beats the satisfaction of working hard and...