Orangetheory Fitness — Local services in Arlington

Orangetheory PC is by far the best gym in the DMV. I have been a member for several years and believe me, I would not have a premiere membership and recommended many close friends to experience the team-oriented positive environment unless it was phenomenal. Let’s be clear… it’s hard.

Since Josh has taken over as the the studio manager it has gone from good to EPIC- not only does he know everyone by name, but he spends time and energy creating new and fun studio “perks” like coffee Saturday sponsored by Joe’s, promotions from Degree giving all members samples, Viva la France day with fresh baguettes and jam- and my fav; roses and champagne for Mother’s Day - this is just on the last two months…. (Plus free friends days for extra incentive!). His dedication to the studio, members and staff is on a whole different level.

The front desk staff is friendly and helpful- I mean, they smile when you walk in (and I walk in at 5am!!)

Last but not certainly not least… the coaching staff- let’s start with head coach Natalie- her spirit, music, and one on one attention in a room of 30 plus is beyond words! This coach truly cares about making all of us into athletes- she meets us where we are - motivating and inspiring to be that 1% better…. The energy Coach NAT brings to the studio is unmatched. You really have to experience it to believe it. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Coach Laura- I have literally followed her for 5 years! This coach is the best at demonstrating and communicating how to lift, row and run… she is never too busy to give a suggestion (while never missing a beat on the mic) and most importantly allows you to keep your dignity- she is with you, talking to you…. Never talking at you-

I have known and been instructed by many personal trainers…and they have been great, however, they all seem to pull down the Orangetheory process- running too much, etc etc… here’s what they don’t understand…. It’s about community- the experience when you are next to that person, listening to that coach…trusting….holding each other accountable while collectively being fully committed to supporting a complete stranger next to you. That’s why we go- and OTC PC is the gold standard.

The OTF PC gym is a safe and amazing environment- I should have posted this review long ago…. shame on me- sometimes you have to tell the people who invest in you - THANK YOU!!!!...

I recently had the unfortunate experience of joining the Orange Theory Gym, and I must say it was nothing short of disappointing.

The first issue I encountered was their cancellation policy, which they conveniently failed to mention during the sign-up process. They sent me a poorly constructed and confusing PDF contract that made it even more frustrating to read. It seemed as though they were intentionally trying to make the process as convoluted as possible.

After I signed the contract, the quality of care and attention I received from Orange Theory Gym deteriorated rapidly. They showed no interest in following up on my progress or providing any assistance in achieving my personal fitness goals. It was disheartening to realize that their primary focus was extracting money without offering any further support.

Adding insult to injury, they pushed me to purchase a seemingly "essential" watch that they claimed would track my progress and display the calories burned during classes. However, the watch proved utterly useless as it frequently failed to synchronize with the gym's devices. It left me wondering why they would offer a product that they couldn't make genuinely functional. It felt like a misleading sales tactic that only added to my frustration and disappointment. Additionally, do not expect any special attention or modifications if you have any pre-existing injuries. This lack of consideration for individual needs can potentially lead to further injuries or complications. When I wanted to cancel my membership due to these numerous issues, they made the process difficult and costly. Despite expressing dissatisfaction with their services, they insisted on charging me a full month's subscription, even though I had literally initiated the cancellation request at the beginning of my subscription month. This further reinforced their prioritization of financial gain over providing a satisfactory experience for me.

Overall, my experience at Orange Theory Gym was awful, and I would not recommend it to anyone. The lack of transparency, poor customer service, and disregard for individual needs make it a gym to avoid. Plenty of other fitness centers prioritize their members' well-being and satisfaction, and I would encourage you to explore those...

April 2019- Just a quick update. Almost 3 years in and I still absolutely love OTF! The workouts remain challenging as they are ever changing. If you're looking for a new workout I highly recommend OTF and the Pentagon City location!

Original Review- I grew up playing sports (tennis, basketball, soccer and competitive swimming) and so don't feel right if I'm not working out. Since college, I've mainly run (with a little bit of swimming and occasional weights) to stay in shape, and since around 9 years ago have done a couple of half marathons and ten milers each year in addition to shorter races (and one full marathon in 2011). In the 3 years prior to 2016 I'd experienced 2 significant injuries each year and so knew that I really needed to cross-train more.

OTF opened in the building next door and so I decided to try it out. And... I love it. I chose the 8 classes per month package as I do still run. I've loved the workouts and the instructors and do feel that adding OTF has contributed to elevating my overall level of fitness. I started in August, and in October ran the Army Ten Miler (for the 4th time, but first time uninjured). Although not my 10-miler PR, it was the fastest 10-miler I'd run in quite a while and more importantly, I felt great doing it. Since then I've run 3-5 shorter races, and again, although not PRs, they've been the fastest I've run in quite a while.

I love that the workouts are designed in such a way that people at different levels of fitness can participate and get a great workout. The treadmill portion is broken down by directions for Runners, Joggers, and Walkers and you will see people at each level every time you are there (and there is a bike and a strider for those who may not currently be able to use the treadmill due to injury, etc). For other exercises, the coaches will show variations. The coaches push you, but not past what you are capable of. I've had days where I haven't been able to do what I normally can, and have let up, and nobody has made me feel bad about it. I also love that it's a group workout and you can have fun with others in the class.

If you are looking to add something new to your workout routine, I highly recommend OTF...