Exercise-loving residents can rejoice as a Fort Lauderdale-based fitness franchise makes its way to Gainesville.
Orangetheory Fitness offers 60-minute workout classes that are split into intervals of cardiovascular and strength training, said Chris Giles, a sales associate at the Gainesville franchise. The gym is under construction and is scheduled to open in April.
“The theory behind the Orangetheory workout is known as the excess post-exercise oxygen consumption, or EPOC,” Giles said.
During a 60-minute workout, customers will perform multiple intervals designed to maximize their heart rates.
This program is designed to produce the workout “afterburn” effect, which is an increased metabolic rate for 24 to 36 hours after the workout. Orangetheory Fitness clients burn about 500 to 1,000 calories every class.
Tommy Mcknew, owner of the Orangetheory Gainesville, said he thinks the gym will be successful in Gainesville.
“Gainesville is one of the most athletic cities in Florida, and that is why I am opening the franchise here,” he said.
The gym will offer seven different packages for customers to choose from based on their fitness preferences. Discounted rates are being offered until the gym opens, including 10 to 15 percent off their normal rates, Mcknew said.
“Our prices are very competitive compared to other gyms in Gainesville,” he said.
Orangetheory Fitness charges about $10 to $15 per class, which Mcknew said is a great rate compared to other gyms in Gainesville that charge upwards of $20.
Orangetheory Fitness also offers a student discount of about 10 percent off depending on the package, he said.
Jakob Raymond, a sports management sophomore at UF, is excited for the gym to open.
“This type of class is something different that a lot of gyms don’t have,” Raymond, 19, said. “I am definitely excited to try an Orangetheory class and see what all of the hype is about.”
The Gainesville franchise’s employees are signing up customers outside of their location at 2005 NW 43rd St. during regular business hours. They can also be reached at 352-559-3937
[A version of this story ran on page 5 on 2/13/2015 under the headline “New fitness franchise to open in GNV"]
Gainesville Health and Fitness
$24.47 every 2 weeks
Planet Fitness:
$49 down, $10.60 a month
Alter Ego Fitness classes:
$11 for a daily pass
Evolve Pilates and Fitness classes:
$12 to $30 per class, depending on which one
John David Eriksen, a 32-year-old software engineer and musician, works out at Alter Ego Fitness at 101 SE 2nd Place on Thursday evening.
