The last week of October is Hell Week at Orange Theory Fitness. That means that Orange Theory Fitness studios across the country have horror movie-themed workouts, and those brave foolish enough to sign up and go to at least 5 out of 8 classes will earn … a free t-shirt.
The most hellish part of Hell Week was getting up at 4:15 am every day to make it to the 5:00 am classes.
No time to hit snooze–I had just enough time to get up, dressed, gather my stuff for work, fill a sports bottle with water and Nuun, and fix a PB-schmeared rice cake to eat in the car. Luckily my husband didn’t mind taking care of Tiger Lilly’s morning routine–she had no interest in getting up this early!
I thought I would get tired of starting my days on the water rowing machine–my least favorite station–but rowing grew on me. On Monday I learned that I would rather row than do 60 squats. On Tuesday I learned that I would rather row than do 100 jumping jacks. On the “worst” rowing day we did 3:00 minute blocks of straight rowing, but other days we broke it up with squats, jumping jacks, intervals, etc.
Hell Week Workouts
One thing that made Hell Week “fun” is how they designed the workouts to go with the different themes.
- For “Hills Have Thighs” we did lots of squats and hill intervals on the treadmill.
- “Jack The Stripper” was the day we did tons of jumping jacks.
- For “Sixth Sets” we did 6 reps of 6 exercises using heavy weights and tried to get through 6 sets.
- The workout for “Silence of The Limbs” was the most insane. I had to cut the reps down to get through the strength exercises (if you can call doing 30 reps for round one and 20 for round two “cutting them down”!) and cut the time for the incline intervals on the treadmill–I decided that 1 min at 15/13/11/9/7 % incline @ 6 mph was plenty!
- For “Scary Potter and the Goblet Squats of Fire” we did goblet squats during the warm up and did a run/row/weights relay that included two different types of goblet squats during the weights section. As soon as a teammate finished the weights routine we switched stations, cycling through as many times as we could. The relays are my favorite type of workout because of the variety and camaraderie.
Hell Week Recovery
To increase my odds of getting through Orange Theory Fitness Hell Week without getting injured, I used the foam roller every day after class–either at the studio or at my office gym.
And, on Saturday I treated my body to a hot CPY2 class at Core Power Yoga. It felt so good to stretch and sweat in such a different way!
Taking care of myself with proper fuel, stretching, foam rolling–and getting to bed early–was key to my survival, as was listening to my body and being willing to adjust a workout that sounded a bit too risky. All in all, I think Hell Week stoked the fitness junkie fire that burns within me. I can’t go to OTF every day, but my experience has me considering going more than my usual once a week–especially during the dark, cold months that are upon us.
Did you participate in Hell Week at Orange Theory Fitness?
Does your gym run challenges to keep you motivated?
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How fun & good for you for hanging in there. All for a free t shirt huh?? I would do it but at a more civilized hour of course 🙂
The afternoon classes definitely had an advantage on Silence Of The Limbs Day, since by then they figured out how to adjust the workout!
Serious hell week! I like the creative names and different workouts. That makes it fun. You more than earned that t-shirt!!
I do appreciate the effort they put into it!
Those workouts sound challenging! I love the graphics with the skull…is that the t-shirt?
Oh, that would be awesome! We haven’t seen the shirt yet ….
This sounds like fun even if I am not a big gym class person. I like doing my workouts solo but I can see why this would have been a fun and challenging week. Show us the tshirt and I hope those 4:15 alarms were worth it.
That looks like one hell of a challenge! Congrats to you! That 4:15 wake up call is one serious commitment! Post a pic of the t-shirt!
Good on you for getting up so early all week! That does look like a fun theme and of course I love the skull!
Hilarious theme! I guess if you didn’t laugh, you’d cry–this sounds so hard! I would totally have done it for that t-shirt!
I’m glad I took Sunday off – The 31 burpees we did Monday were plenty!
Was the shirt at least cute?! I love challenges like this – but I HATE rowing! So more power to you!
Rowing is growing on me …. Maybe because I do it first when I’m not really awake.
Kudos to you!! That is a beast week! I can not imagine going that hard every day…
That 4:15 a.m. is impressive every day. I can handle a few times a week, but not everyday!
I walk past an Orange Theory studio quite often and I am intrigued as I rarely see anyone on the machines… your workouts do sound really tough!
You must go by in between sessions. Our classes are pretty full. You spend 1/3 time on each of the rowing, treadmill and weights, sometimes in three solid blocks, sometimes with more switching.
What a fun, themed challenge. I love participating in challenges as a way to help keep me motivated.
I’m way to much of a wuss to survive that – especially the 4:15am wakeups. Crazy!
I think it’s so awesome that they do this, and you’re incredible awesome for sticking to it!! Way to go!!
Thanks! Let’s hope that t-shirt is awesome too!
Those are very cute themes for each day and looks a motivating week overall. I can’t WAIT to see the t-shirt though. I’m not sure how you got up that early each day. In answer to your question, I don’t go to the gym. Ever. I know, I know…I should. If I someone like you to motivate me and meet me there…I’d go. Thanks for linking, Coco!
I used to be a no gym girl myself, but now I love my studio classes.
This looks… dare I say… fun? In its own sadistic way.
The nearest OTF is still so far from me, so I can’t bring myself to get hooked.
Can’t wait to see the t-shirt!
Yes, it was fun in it’s own sick way! Bummer on not having OTF near year, but think of all the money you save by not being tempted!
Great job on completing Hell Week at Orange Theory. Love the theme of each of them. They sound tough!
I’m not sure I could get past the 4:15 wake-up 🙂
The key was not thinking about it — and getting to bed on time!
Sounds like one heck of a week! And you’re my hero for getting up at 4:15 every morning!
What a great read! I’ve bene thinking of doing one of their classes!
I am so glad you are enjoying OTF. I cannot wait to be cleared to go back.
Kudos to you for not only getting up that early but surviving! I only took one OTF class and enjoyed it but just haven’t made it back yet.
(((annnnd here I am having not been to ONE OT class.
Yet.
soon.
maybe.)))
Hmmm. Not sure it’s your thing, although the treadmill blocks have options for walkers too – and that’s not looked down upon.
Oh wow I just love Halloween themed stuff and I really hate we don’t have an Orange Theory in my town! Man this would just be awesome!
Great job Coco!
Thanks! I think you’d like it!
I’ve never been to Orange Theory (I hate to run), but I feel like I should try it at least once.
They also have a walking option for the treadmill workouts, with intensity based on incline – we have a lot of walkers in my class! So, you might like it. 🙂
It is very good to build muscle and try it. And get with the one you always wished to be.