has their own heart rate zone to stay within that’s displayed on a screen.
Using the science of heart rate based treadmill interval training, the efficiency of indoor rowing for increased power, and the concept of weight training blocks, newly opened Orangetheory Fitness in Brentwood sets out to help Westsiders create the fitness level and body they have always desired.
Owner Paul Marcus said he was thrilled to open his first Los Angeles-based studio that incorporated this new concept for group workout classes.
During workouts, members wear heart rate monitors and aim to reach a certain “zone.”
Since opening June 6, Marcus said the Brentwood community had been “unbelievable – so warm, incredibly welcoming.”
The studio located at 11661 San Vicente Boulevard has seen early success, which Marcus credits to the goodwill he has created surrounding his classes.
“Our number one priority during the three months before we opened was community outreach,” Marcus said.
This was evident, as he brought neighboring businesses free burritos from Chipotle, and served an all you can eat taco buffet at the studio for no cost.
When asked why Brentwood was an ideal location, he said, “Brentwood is known as an exercise hub of Los Angeles.”
This could be intimidating, but Marcus was thrilled to have so many other companies around trying to accomplish the same goal.
“I think we should be friends with every other fitness concept,” he said. “I love that there are other options. People should try everything. Whatever keeps them working out, active, and doing what they love. I want people to get fit – if it’s not here because this isn’t for them, than I am happy they are doing it elsewhere.”
He said Orangetheory Fitness conducted a demographic study showing how many “core customers fitting certain criteria were in the area, and the number was enormous.”
He described his workout as “by far the most attainable” in terms of cost as well as accessibility for people of all fitness levels.
This is largely due to the heart rate system they have in place.
Marcus said coaches ask participants to be in a certain heart rate zone, rather than at a certain pace.
“It’s very personalized, it keeps everyone working at their own level,” he said.
“The coach tells them to find their ‘base pace,’ or a certain zone of your heart rate. Someone might be walking fast, someone might be jogging, but when they look up at the screen they’re in the right zone. As they keep coming and getting into better shape, it gets more difficult to reach that same zone. Organically, they end up having to work harder to get to that same place.”
He said believed this created a “culture of acceptance” in the studio, something they strive toward.
He said that some people who are more out of shape would not necessarily feel comfortable with the most high-end option.
“Someone needs to be more brave to go into a soul cycle class if they are out of shape – and I love soul cycle, it’s phenomenal, the instructors are incredible, I love it – but some people could be intimidated by that,” he said.
He said he hoped to supply the entire Brentwood community with an effective workout.
“We are such a great fitness facility for everybody,” he said. “We’re not just for the crazy fitness people. We have NFL athletes here, we have triathletes – they get an amazing workout – but we also have a 72-year-old woman who comes and a 71-year-old guy who just took the class and they’ve been coming four times a week and they’re having the best workouts of their lives and they’re doing it in a healthy way.”
For more information, call 310.694.5656 or visit www.orangetheoryfitness.com.
