Ellen Latham Reveals Top 5 Longevity Exercises at Orangetheory

The Importance of Balanced Workouts and Rest Periods

• Orangetheory Fitness co-founder, Ellen Latham, suggests that excessive intense workouts can be counterproductive.
• She recommends regular interval training that includes adequate rest and mobility work for sustained fitness.
• Latham also emphasizes the significance of tracking workouts to stay motivated and prevent burnout.

Ellen Latham, co-founder of Orangetheory Fitness, is a strong proponent of smart and balanced exercise routines for long-term health. She believes that focusing on personalized interval training, rather than pushing beyond individual limits, is key to maintaining fitness and preventing burnout.

Interval Training with Orangetheory Fitness

When she launched Orangetheory Fitness in 2010, Latham decided to deviate from the trend of high-intensity interval training (HIIT). Instead, she introduced a unique interval training approach that includes varying levels of intensity to keep everyone’s heart rate predominantly in the “orange” zone, or 80-90% intensity. This method is based on the color-coded heart rate zones.

Customizing Workouts through Data

Orangetheory Fitness was an early adopter of using data to tailor exercise routines. Latham advocates data-driven training and believes that tracking workouts is essential for achieving fitness goals. She advises focusing on your VO2 max to create functional strength training and mobility routines.

Avoid Overworking and Monitor Progress

Latham asserts that the key to seeing results is to find a balance between challenging yourself and preventing burnout. Overworking with back-to-back high-intensity workouts can lead to exhaustion, and as a result, people may not stick with their routines. Moderate, consistent exercise targeting different muscles is the best approach, according to Latham.

She also encourages incorporating a mix of cardio and resistance exercises to build muscle and bone strength. This combination, she says, acts like a multivitamin for fitness, providing a variety of health benefits.

Rest Days are Essential

In addition to balanced workouts, Latham highlights the importance of rest days. Allowing your body time to recover and rebuild is crucial for long-term fitness. She recommends participating in a program like Orangetheory three times a week and engaging in your preferred form of exercise the rest of the time.

Having fun, eating healthily, and taking time off from the gym are also significant contributors to a long, healthy life, according to Latham.