OTbeat Link wtih Apple Watch (not included)
If you haven't taken an Orangetheory Fitness class yet, chances are you've heard from someone who has. This super popular, high-intensity fitness class mixes running, rowing, free weights, and isometric exercises in an ever-changing instructor-led workout.
OT’s claim to fame isn’t just how each workout is arranged, but how it uses targeted heart rate zones to ensure you're getting results. Each workout requires you to use a heart rate monitor that then displays your heart rate, percentage of effort, and overall intensity (along with everyone elses’) on monitors sprinkled throughout the gym (and also your individual metrics on their new treadmills and rowing machines).
In the years that I've been taking classes at Orangetheory Fitness they've upgraded from heart sensors embedded in chest straps (which needed lots of frequent adjusting), to arm bands, to wrist-based monitors. And while OT says that, with the latest bands, you can wear them all day as fitness trackers, they've yet to reach the popularity of the Apple Watches that seem to be on most member's wrists.
The Cupertino Solution
I usually start a HIIT (high intensity interval training) workout on my Apple Watch while in class, mostly to keep my watch from bugging me while I'm working out (”It looks like you’ve started a workout! Want me to track it?” “Gee, it’s loud in here, this is the decibel level.” “Are you still working out? I could traaaaaaack iiiiit.”).
The problem is that when the Orangetheory app loads my workout later in the day, I end up with double numbers in the Activity app. Great if I'm trying to cheat my activity rings, but not so great if I'm trying to build consistent, achievable numbers (yeah, I know I could manually delete one of the workouts, but I never remember to).
Orangetheory Fitness sees about 43% of their members doing the same thing and tracking their workouts on their Apple Watches during class. So instead of fighting Cupertino, they’re embracing the wave and making it even easier for members to workout using the tech that they already have. In yesterday's announcement, Orangetheory unveiled the OTbeat Link, a custom-designed device that's worn on your Apple Watch.
OTbeat Link with Charging Case
The diminutive tracker clips on to your Apple Watch band and comes with a charging case that's similar to an AirPods case. When active, the OTbeat Link will sync with the studio's monitors to display your heart-rate based metrics (effort, Splat Points, and more). Even better, you can get all those same metrics right on your wrist, displayed in the same way that you'll see on your treadmill and rowing machine in class.
Orangetheory workout in Actiivty app
The OTbeat Link sends your workout metrics directly to the Activity app, closing your rings, and giving you numbers that you can work with.
Orangetheory Fitness also announced new coaching and front-office apps that will help OT staff and coaches connect with members and help them on a more individual basis. Some of that will likely come in the form of keeping track of their new Premiere+ tier members.
Full details haven't been revealed yet, but Premier+ members will have first access to the new OTbeat Link in February of 2020, as well as "tools and incentives for staying active." Some of that will come in the form of more individualized coaching, as well as the new hardware.
OT hasn't yet announced when the OTbeat Link will be available for non-Premier+ members, but it will cost $129 when it is. I'm looking forward to ditching the double workout numbers and simplifying what I'm doing in class so that I can focus on what's important, surviving the next hill interval.
