ORANGETHEORY FITNESS SET TO OPEN NEW BROAD RIPPLE LOCATION Writer / Jon Shoulders Photographer / Brian Brosmer & Drive Social Media
Jennifer Haas had a feeling the Broad Ripple area would be a fitting location for an Orangetheory Fitness facility – even before opening her successful studio on 86th Street three years ago. Haas, who owns and operates the 86th Street location at Ironworks at Keystone, as well as the soon-to-launch facility in the mixed-use MK apartment building on College Avenue, had explored the possibility of a Broad Ripple location back in 2015 prior to settling on Ironworks. She wasn’t able to find the perfect spot, but now she has. “OTF Ironworks has thrived. Actually, Orangetheory has been embraced by the entire Indiana market in general,” explains Haas, who hails from Cleveland. “Broad Ripple was part of our original Ironworks territory. We ended up carving out a second territory for this studio to take some of the pressure off Ironworks, give current OTF members another option as well as to attract new members in the Broad Ripple area.” The midtown facility is expected to be open by late spring, and presales for memberships will be offered starting in February. “I think Ironworks and Broad Ripple share a similar vibe and the nature of the buildout – both mixed used complexes - was something I was familiar with,” Haas says. “The response has been tremendous. The amount of interest we’re already seeing in Broad Ripple is exciting. We can’t wait to hit the ground running.” So what is an Orangetheory workout like, exactly? Haas describes a typical class, all of which are led by certified coaches, as a one-hour, total body workout, comprised of half cardiovascular training and half strength training involving a variety of equipment like free weights, treadmills and water rowers. Everyone in class wears a heart rate monitor, and each participant’s heart rate is projected real time onto screens inside the studio, allowing the coaches to keep an eye on each individual’s intensity level. “All classes are for all fitness levels,” Haas adds. “It’s very structured and you’re with a room full of other people all motivating you. The workout changes every day, so you don’t have to worry about falling into a rut or getting bored. Another fun fact is that the workout templates are designed by master trainers at Orangetheory Fitness’ corporate office in Florida. They’re designed to be safe and effective. The quality control is built in.”