Heart Rate-Monitored Fitness Concept Yields Fit Members, Healthy Franchise Growth at Orangetheory Fitness

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL--(Marketwire - Feb 8, 2012) - February may be Heart Health Month, but at Orangetheory Fitness, it's all about the heart 365 days a year.

This one-of-a-kind, group personal training interval workout is the first national fitness concept to leverage heart rate monitors for scientifically proven results. Each 60-minute Orangetheory Fitness (www.orangetheoryfitness.com) session is broken into intervals of cardiovascular and strength training. The difference is that each participant wears a heart rate monitor to track intensity, for maximum metabolic increase and calorie burn.

"Science proves that 12 to 20 minutes exercising in the specific zone of 84 to 92 percent of your maximum heart rate -- or what we call the Orange Zone -- produces a tremendous metabolic increase and calorie burn for up to 36 hours after your workout," said Chan Gannaway, Fitness Director at Orangetheory Fitness. The physiological phenomenon, known as excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) or oxygen debt, trains the body to use more oxygen and burn more calories even when it's no longer exercising.

Flat-screen monitors throughout the studio track performance for participants and the personal trainer, who keeps the pace and intensity moving throughout the session. Maximum heart rate is determined by age, and because participants follow their own personal heart rate, anyone can do the workout. The result is a group personal training environment -- individual challenge with the motivation and accountability of group fitness.

The unique concept has members flocking to a rapidly growing number of studios throughout the country. Since opening its first studio in Ft. Lauderdale in March 2010, Orangetheory Fitness has expanded to 20 locations in five states, with aggressive growth plans for 2012. "Members are thrilled when they see results in just a few sessions. They keep coming back because there's no other workout like it -- work hard and have fun for 60 minutes, increase energy, get visible results and burn more calories even when you're not exercising," added Gannaway.

For more information, visit www.orangetheoryfitness.com, or www.otffranchise.com for franchise opportunities.

About Orangetheory Fitness
Orangetheory Fitness (http://www.orangetheoryfitness.com) is a one-of-a-kind, group personal training interval workout that leverages heart rate-monitored training to keep heart rates in a target zone that stimulates metabolism for maximum results. Led by skilled personal trainers, participants use a variety of equipment including treadmills, rowing machines, TRX Suspension Training® and free weights, burning an average of 900 calories per session.