I have been going to Orangetheory (this location) for almost 2 years now. If I wrote this review…read morelast year at this exact time, it would be totally different. Last year (2023), somewhere between May and July, they had a change in studio management, and it was honestly the best thing they could have done.
The SA (front desk staff) are always welcoming, friendly, and personable. I don't know how they remember everyone's name and the conversation they have. If they know you have a BIG day coming up or a celebration, they always try to celebrate with you. They also do a very great job of keeping the studio clean. When you're in class you will see them cleaning the lobby, bathroom etc. I have never felt icky using the bathroom or taking a shower at this studio. If you ever have a question or issue, Jo, the studio manager, as well as the SA's, are pretty responsive.
The workout at orangetheory is what I would consider a 60 min HIIT style circuit. They have three main class formats 3G, 2G class & tornado. In a 3G class, you will be on the row machine, treadmill, and floor (strength) for about 14/15 minutes. There is a 5 minute warm-up and cool down as well. In a 2G class, one station is either paired with another like a row/run, or one machine can be completely removed, usually the rower. The other template you might see is the tornado. It pops up every once in a while. I personally hate tornadoes. It's too much switching for me, so I normally dont sign up for them. I do however recommend everyone to take one tornado class and come up with your own opinion. One of the things I love about the Orangetheory brand is that the workout template is the same at all their studios. It doesn't matter if you're at a class in MD or right here at Hilltop, same workout, other than 2G version, or 3G version. There is a coach present in each class that will go over the workout instructions and, if needed, will correct your form. I definitely have my favorites, but all the coaches at Hilltop do a pretty good job of trying to be attentive and helping us if needed. If there is an exercise you are not able to do, they are always willing to give you a modification that works for you. Each coach creates their own music playlist, and for the most part, they all have good music taste, lol.
Orangetheory is a membership gym without a yearly contract. You can cancel at any time with a 30-day notice. They offer 3 different monthly options as well as class packs. Every once in a while, they will offer membership discounts/sales. Your first class is free as long as you live in Virginia Beach. They also have a sister studio in the Redmill area with the same ownership & management team. If you do get a membership or class pack, they encourage you to purchase a Heart rate monitor. The Heart rate monitor isn't mandatory, but I do enjoy seeing my stats on the board. Overall, I would highly recommend giving Orangetheroy a try. It will definitely be a great workout that you might end up getting addicted to.