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October 2023 by Brian Smith
Pros:-great workout (duh it’s otf!)- amazing coaches (Take class with Tommy for a big booty mix or Bailey for his fun edm mixes)- fun atmosphere in the studio (see previous bullet point)Cons:- heard from other members that frequent this studio how disrespectful management and seemingly the ownership (not sure how orange theory works) are treating their employees from the desk staff to the trainers- high turnover, I never see the same faces here- water fountain has been on red for 3 months, this is not that hard to fix- rowers die and disconnect frequently- heart rate monitors have issues connecting to my tread or rowerI’ve never experienced these issues at my home studio (Lincoln park), especially the disrespect towards staff, hence the 1* rating for this location
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October 2023 by M L
Only location I’ve been to so far but Bailey, Tommy, and Clint are fantastic coaches. I’ve come here twice a week every week for three months and I’ve gotten in the best shape I’ve been in for years. ??
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October 2023 by Monique Fernback
I love this location for the coaches! Bailey and Tommy are great. Would highly recommend their classes !
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October 2023 by Samantha O'Connell
I am saddened to hear about the poor management and ownership at OTF River West. This five star review is not given lightly and is 100% for the amazing staff and coaches that we are so fortunate to have at our studio. Including but not limited to Coach Tommy, Coach Bailey, Tania, Miranda, and Armando. These are top notch people that make every workout a great experience. OTF corporate- please do what you can to keep our coaches and staff happy as they deserve the best and I can guarantee that memberships will be canceled if they leave- mine included.
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October 2023 by Bridget Meskauskas
I’ve been an OTF member since 2016 or 2017. My first studio was Wicker Park, then Mount Prospect, and I’ve been with River West since they’ve opened because I followed my Wicker Park coaches to River West. If it weren’t for ALL the other locations all over the world (and my founding member rate) I would have canceled my membership years ago. The franchise owners of Wicker Park and River West are awful. They run their staff into the ground which creates high turnover. With a revolving door of front desk staff and coaches it’s impossible to retain members. All of this prevents community from building and growing.Plenty of other studios have far more socials, incentives, competitions, and consistent front desk staff as well as consistent coaches. DO NOT make this your home studio. A studio manager can’t change anything if the franchise owners are the worst. And I promise you, the franchise owners are the worst. As a founding member, every single coach has told me that it is the franchise owners specifically as to why they have left. What’s worse, some of the former staff and coaches simply transferred locations to work for a different franchise within a few miles of this studio.If you’re looking for something temporary, then sure this place is great - just make sure you take a class from Tommy or Bailey. Expect zero community. And don’t think taking up an issue with the studio manager will help. They too are part of the high turn over culture that is the worst franchise of all Orangetheory.
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October 2023 by Chanan Batra
I have been an Orangetheory member for a little over a year now. This location with Tommy as a coach was the first class I ever took and I was immediately hooked. I have since tried dozens of OTF locations across the country, and live closer to two other locations in the city, but the class atmosphere Tommy and Bailey create is second to none. It is because of these coaches that I have had my roommates, family members, and friends join the river west location as their home studio over the past year.I am disheartened to hear from other members that management is not recognizing the value that these two coaches bring to the table. Without them, I would absolutely take my membership to another location—preferably one where Tommy and Bailey are—and would encourage my friends and family to do the same.I am hopeful the coaches and front desk staff can be valued and supported in any way they need so that this river west location can continue to thrive.
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October 2023 by Dan Dowd
Got to pay to play OTF River West. The musical chairs with staff just sucks. My wife and I are premium members and have loved working with Tommy, Clint, Bailey, Trish, Rose and many other trainers in the past. But it’s impossible to be invested when trainers and front desk change like the seasons in Chicago. Highly recommend the trainers, but no sense of community at this studio (I have been to many others).
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October 2023 by Emma Heinz
I have been an OTF member for over 3 years and have been to many of the Chicago studios over that time. I have been attending the River West classes for over a year now and can without a doubt say that Coach Bailey and Coach Tommy are two of the best coaches I have ever had. They are incredibly kind, passionate and create an environment that is motivating and fun. I hope that management recognizes how much hard work these two coaches put in everyday and how valuable they are to the studio. In the West Loop area there are tons of other classes and gyms and it’s these two coaches that keep me coming back to OTF.
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October 2023 by Morgan Lovay
I joined Orangetheory a few months ago, and I am loving it. The classes are challenging but inclusive, and the coaches inspire you to push harder without forcing you beyond your comfort level. The front desk staff is helpful with every inquiry I've had: lending a heart rate monitor because mine died, helping with billing, etc.It has recently come to light that the franchise owners and upper management of this location aren't treating the coaches and staff with the respect that they deserve, which is causing turmoil and high turnover. This is incredibly disappointing—owners and management need to wake up. The coaches and the front desk staff are solely responsible for the great experience that members have, and they are the ones who keep us coming back.People I know and appreciate at OTF: coaches Tommy, Bailey, Clint, and staff member Armando. They are incredible at what they do and each of them has had a positive impact on my experience. I do not think about owners or upper management—not sure I've even met any of them.OTF is a significant monthly investment, and I do not feel comfortable giving my money to people who aren't good to their staff. Treat your employees as humans, particularly when their ability to do their job depends entirely on their health and wellbeing.I love going to this studio, and I'm hopeful for some positive change for the coaches and staff. I will continue to check in with them moving forward.
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October 2023 by Jiyoung C
Been a member for years now and took many classes nationwide and overseas. I took Summers 90 minute class and she is such a kind soul yet great otf coach. The staff is welcoming, kind and know what they are doing. I will be making this my primary otf in Chicago. Thank you for making my Sunday.
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October 2023 by A S
I love coming to take classes at the River West location with Tommy and Bailey. They are wonderful motivators who make class fun and provide helpful tips to better my form. I especially love when Tommy plays a big booty mix playlist during class!
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October 2023 by Juliet Huang
I've been going to OTF for many years and have been to a number of studios, including River West, West Loop and Wicker Park, as well as studios across the country when I travel. I absolutely love OTF as it has truly transformed my (previously nonexistent) relationship with exercise. I look forward to exercise now because of OTF. I stopped going to OTF River West a few years ago because I didn't love the prior coaches they had back then but once Tommy and Bailey started teaching at River West I committed to this studio and haven't gone to another studio. Bailey, Tommy and Clint are all fantastic coaches and people. Bailey is super positive, awesome at explaining exercises and plays great music! I look forward to every class with him and his classes definitely keep me coming back! I love how positive Bailey, Tommy and Clint are. They are truly awesome. I hope that River West OTF does everything it can to ensure that these three coaches keep teaching at River West!!!
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October 2023 by AD
To start off, I have no issues with orange theory itself, it’s this location specifically. Part of the reason I love going to OTF is the sense of community they have there and the workouts really do kick your butt and get you into shape. I also think Tommy, Bailey and Clint are great coaches and if it wasn’t for them, I’m not sure as many people would go to this location tbh. The reason I’m writing this review is because I don’t feel the management at this location is creating the best environment for members and their staff.I am thinking of a specific time where I over heard the manager (I think her name is Tonya?) speak badly about one of the staff there. I felt very awkward overhearing this and trying to pretend I didn’t. I used to work at a place with a toxic culture where others were called out in front of their coworkers and I’m just not here for it, especially in front of members. You can sense the tension sometimes between management and the front desk, feels like they’re on edge and doesn’t make it enjoyable to come. Everyone has their own experience here, but this is mine and I will be sticking to my normal location.
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February 2023 by Marianne L.
The classes are great but the staff in Orange Theory is NOT helpful. I had an issue that wanted to freeze my month and it was such a pain to get help from them. They are not willing to help or be nice. I wanted to try a class free and got there 20 mins before the class instead of 30 minutes before and they charge me my first class. Honestly, the staff should be MUCH better trained to be nicer
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February 2023 by Jaclyn Steiff
I showed up 22 minutes early to class as a first timer to orange theory, not new to fitness, and they refused to let me join the class due to “policy”. They said that since I was not there 30 minutes in advance, it was not enough time to sign paperwork and tell me about the class.Overall, really disappointing experience because I was looking forward to trying it, and I went to the class with out of town friends and had to leave while they worked out. Very confusing business decision by the front desk, completely turned me off of orange theory and will not be returning.