The short answer: Choose Orangetheory if you want a class built around treadmill work, rowing, strength exercises, and visible heart-rate feedback. Choose F45 if you prefer rotating through functional training stations and selecting cardio, resistance, or hybrid classes from the schedule. Both are coached group workouts, and the better choice depends on the classes and prices available near you.
The names tell you less than a visit will. An Orangetheory member who enjoys running may love the treadmill blocks; someone who dislikes them may prefer F45’s changing stations. A prospective F45 member who wants more strength work should look at the local resistance-day schedule rather than judge the brand by one cardio class.
Orangetheory vs F45 at a glance
| What to compare | Orangetheory | F45 |
|---|---|---|
| Signature class | Orange 60 combines treadmill, rowing, and strength-floor work | Classes rotate among cardio, resistance, and hybrid formats |
| Typical class length | Orange 60 is 60 minutes; Strength 50 and Tread 50 are 50 minutes | Many classes are 45 minutes; some formats run 60 minutes |
| Class flow | Blocks organized around workout stations and heart-rate zones | Timed exercises at changing stations; the format varies by class |
| Cardio experience | Treadmill and rowing are prominent in Orange 60 | Depends on whether you book a cardio, resistance, or hybrid day |
| Strength experience | Strength-floor work in Orange 60, with a dedicated Strength 50 option | Dedicated resistance days, plus strength work in hybrid formats |
| Progress feedback | Heart-rate zones are central to the experience | Focus is on completing the programmed stations; ask your studio about available tracking |
| Pricing | Basic, Elite, and Premier memberships, plus class packs; rates vary locally | Plans and introductory offers vary by studio |
| Best first step | Try Orange 60 if you want to experience the signature workout | Try the class type you expect to attend most often |
Class descriptions come from the brands’ Orangetheory workout guide and F45 workout library. Always check the specific studio’s schedule.
What is an Orangetheory class like?
Orangetheory’s signature Orange 60 class combines treadmill, rowing, and strength-floor work. The workout uses heart-rate zones as a prominent form of feedback, while a coach guides the room through the blocks. The company also lists Strength 50 and Tread 50 for people who want more time devoted to one part of training. See Orangetheory’s class descriptions.
You do not have to be a runner to try it. Orangetheory describes power walking, jogging, and running options for the treadmill, and coaches can help with exercise modifications. Read its beginner workout explanation.
The practical question is whether you enjoy this structure. If you like knowing that cardio and floor work will both appear in the signature class, Orange 60 makes that choice for you. If repeated treadmill blocks are the part you dread, check whether your local schedule has enough Strength 50 classes to justify a membership.
What is an F45 class like?
F45 organizes its workouts into cardio, resistance, and hybrid formats. You move through programmed exercises at stations, with the equipment and timing changing by workout. Its resistance workouts emphasize strength-focused movements, while its hybrid workouts combine cardio, resistance, agility, and core work.
This distinction matters when you book a trial. A cardio day may give you a very different impression from a resistance day. Look at the studio’s upcoming schedule and try the class type you would realistically attend every week. Although 45 minutes is common, F45’s workout library also includes longer formats, so check the duration of the class you select. Browse F45’s workouts.
Which is better for strength or cardio?
For a consistent cardio-and-strength mix in one signature class, start with Orangetheory. Orange 60 includes treadmill, rowing, and floor work. If you want a more focused strength session, see how often your nearby studio runs Strength 50.
For the ability to choose a resistance-focused day, start with F45. Its schedule separates resistance, cardio, and hybrid formats. The tradeoff is that your weekly mix depends on which days and times you can actually attend.
Neither brand can tell you whether your routine will contain enough strength or cardio from its name alone. Compare the next two weeks of class times at nearby studios. If the classes that fit your calendar do not match your goals, the theoretical advantage of that program will not help much.
If you are also considering a slower, strength-focused studio workout, read our Solidcore vs Orangetheory comparison.
Which is better for beginners?
Both can work for a beginner who is comfortable asking a coach for help. Orangetheory offers treadmill pace choices and exercise modifications. At F45, tell the coach it is your first class, arrive early enough to learn the station flow, and ask how to scale unfamiliar movements.
For your first trial, consider the experience you want to test:
- Try Orangetheory if you want a predictable mix of treadmill, rowing, and floor work with heart-rate feedback.
- Try an F45 resistance class if strength work and varied equipment are your main interests.
- Try an F45 hybrid class if you want to see its combination of strength and cardio.
- Try both if the studios are similarly convenient. One class at each is more informative than comparing brand descriptions.
You can move at a manageable pace in either setting. If an exercise is unfamiliar or uncomfortable, ask the coach for an alternative.
Orangetheory vs F45 pricing: compare your local studios
There is no single price that fairly represents every Orangetheory and F45 location.
Orangetheory lists Basic at four classes per month, Elite at eight, and Premier as unlimited, along with class packs. It says rates vary by studio and advertises a free first workout at most participating studios for eligible first-time visitors; check the location’s terms. Review Orangetheory memberships and its FAQ.
F45 introductory offers illustrate why a national price comparison can mislead. For example, its Chicago DePaul studio has advertised a three-class local trial, while its Midtown East NYC studio has advertised a different seven-day offer. These are location-specific examples, not prices or offers to expect everywhere. Check current terms directly with the studio you would use.
Before paying for either membership, write down:
| Ask each local studio | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| What is the full recurring price, billing period, and any sign-up fee? | The advertised trial price is not your ongoing cost. |
| How many classes will I realistically attend each month? | A higher-tier plan may cost less per visit only if you use it. |
| Which relevant class formats run at times I can attend? | A plan is less useful if your preferred classes rarely fit your schedule. |
| What are the late-cancel, no-show, freeze, and cancellation terms? | These can change the real cost and flexibility. |
| Can I use other studios on this plan, and under what conditions? | Access may depend on the membership and location. |
A simple calculation helps: monthly membership cost ÷ classes you expect to attend = your estimated cost per visit. Use your expected attendance, not the maximum you hope to achieve.
How to choose the better studio near you
Start with the Orangetheory location finder and F45 studio finder. Pick the locations you could regularly reach, then compare their class schedules and current offers. Book a trial at the most convenient location of each brand, ideally in the class format you would use most.
After each visit, ask yourself three questions: Did I enjoy the workout? Could I attend these class times consistently? Is the ongoing price comfortable for the number of visits I will make? The best answer is the studio you are likely to keep using.
If neither workout feels right, you can search for Pilates studios or find barre studios on FlexologyGuide. For services intended to fit around your training routine, you can also explore recovery studios.
Frequently asked questions
Is F45 harder than Orangetheory?
Neither is automatically harder. Your effort, the particular workout, the coach’s options, and your starting point all matter. A resistance-focused F45 day and an Orangetheory Orange 60 class also challenge you in different ways. Try both at a sustainable pace before deciding.
Does Orangetheory have more cardio than F45?
Orange 60 consistently includes treadmill and rowing work. F45’s cardio emphasis changes with its cardio, resistance, and hybrid schedule. Compare the classes you would actually book rather than assuming every F45 workout has the same balance.
Is F45 always 45 minutes?
No. Many F45 workouts are 45 minutes, but its hybrid workout listings include 60-minute formats. Check the class duration when booking.
Do I need to run at Orangetheory?
No. Orangetheory describes power walking as a treadmill option alongside jogging and running. See its explanation for first-time members.
Which should I join?
Join the studio whose workout, reachable location, available class times, and full membership terms work best together. If you are undecided, use the Orangetheory and F45 finders to arrange local trials before committing.