Orangetheory Fitness — Local services in Royal Oak

After going for almost a year, I could potentially recommend Orange Theory to others, but not without several caveats. Read on to see if this place is for you:

If you sign up for a class you must cancel 8 hours beforehand or be charged a $12 fee. Signing up WELL IN ADVANCE for the early morning (5-7am) or evening (4:30-8pm) classes is necessary in order to reserve a place as these class times are high in demand. Something came up for me the other day and I couldn't make the evening class I was signed up for. I decided to come to an earlier class which was roughly 6 hours before the originally scheduled class. I explained to them that I couldn't make the evening class so I came into an earlier class instead. They told me at the desk they would still have to charge me the $12 cancellation fee for missing the evening class. Mind you, this new class I was attending was 6 HOURS BEFORE the evening class.

As an unlimited member at $150 per month I should have been allowed some leeway to switch my classes that day. Especially considering the evening class was full ("waitlisted") and the new earlier class I went to wasn't. Life happens and sometimes peoples schedules change. If this is you, then DO NOT SIGN UP FOR CLASSES IN ADVANCE. And unfortunately for this location it's impossible to wait until the same day to sign up for the morning (5am-7am) and evening classes (4:30pm-8pm) because like I said, they are generally waitlisted for days, if not weeks, in advance. Note that other locations may not be as busy as RO though and scheduling classes same day may be easier at other locations.

They could improve by allowing free cancellations within a shorter window than 8 hrs for classes that are waitlisted, at least. If people are waiting to get into the class then you should be able to cancel. Even a 2 hour cancellation window for these classes would be a welcomed improvement.

So overall, yes, I like the workouts but the overall inflexibility of the establishment could be problematic for anyone whose schedule could potentially change within an 8 hour window causing them to miss their workout and be charged $12. Those $12 fees add up and soon that $150 membership has turned into a $200 per month membership. Proceed...

Warning : Hearing Damage Risk

Online comments: I recently used the NIOSH Sound Level Meter app. to see how loud OT classes were. Music was consistently in the 90-95 decibel range, and the coach's microphone was consistently in the 100 - 105 decibel range, sometimes 110. For 105 decibels, OSHA recommends no more than 19 minutes per week exposure to avoid hearing damage. I feel sorry for the coaches, as they are destined to develop hearing damage. It's also sad that almost all participants do not wear any form of hearing protection, and are putting themselves at risk for hearing damage/tinnitus. I wanted to warn you all that you are at risk for hearing damage/tinnitus.

My review is being posted after a conversation with someone in my family who is an ENT (Ear Nose and Throat doctor). She went to Orange Theory Royal Oak one time and again to Birmingham location and never went again to either places because of the music volume. I thought she was being overly dramatic until I went to see for myself.

The music is dangerously loud. And I like concerts and loud music. I don't feel safe working out In OT royal oak. I don't want to get tinnitus (ear ringing that doesn't go away) or go deaf. Tinnitus is not fun. I knew someone who had it in high school and the constant ringing in the ears has some people wanting to commit suicide. There is a reddit thread on tinnitus if you are interested on the subject. It is enough to drive someone mad. And Orange Theory Royal Oak music volume WILL eventually contribute or cause tinnitus or hearing loss.

I don't think I should have to wear ear plugs to get a workout. There is no reason the music needs to be so loud. It's unacceptable. And unless more people complain they won't do anything about it. I like the place and wish I could continue to go there but my hearing is more important. To all the people who don't think the music there is too loud - the truth is you probably already have compromised hearing unfortunately. And that came straight from an ENT.

ORANGE THEORY - nobody will stop coming because the music is not loud enough. BUT THEY WILL STOP COMING BECAUSE THE MUSIC IS TOO LOUD AND DAMAGING...

So I've only been 3x now, but I'm hooked. Being a former athlete and naturally competitive, this setting is perfect for me. I can see my stats and push myself because I can visibly see where my heart rate level is at and how many points I need. The trainers are attentive in correcting form and keeping everyone engaged. I've dine 2 classes with Caroline and 1 with Alec so far. Both have been extremely positive and helpful when I've had questions or got lost on activity. I am recovering from an MCL/Meniscus injury, so they both have been supet helpful when I have to modify an activity. Front desk staff are always friendly too. I can't get enough. I'm also impressed that the trainers are invested in my personal weight loss goal too. Thanks OT for a great experience! Looking forward to more workouts.

Update: been over a month of 2x/wk and already seeing improvements in my body recomposition, strength, and endurance. Coming back from a knee injury, I was jogging a 16 mile min and now im at 13 minutes. Alec is great at pushing me to use more weights when she notices I am too light. Front desk is friendly and always a joy to see. I appreciate Kelsey and Brittany taking time to help me map out fitness goals and how many times I should be going....