November 21, 2013 12:59 ET

Experts Rank Orangetheory Fitness Concept as the Top Trend in Fitness for 2014

High-Intensity Interval Training Debuts at Number One on ACSM Worldwide Survey of Top Fitness Trends

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL--(Marketwired - Nov 21, 2013) - Orangetheory Fitness® (www.orangetheoryfitness.com), the energizing interval fitness franchise and first to use heart-rate-monitored training for scientifically proven results, has blazed a trail in the fitness industry with many firsts, the latest of which is having a workout based on the number-one fitness trend for 2014: high-intensity interval training.

In its debut year on the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) survey of top fitness trends, High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) tops the list of the 20 trends for 2014. More than 3,800 fitness professionals were surveyed for their expert opinions on worldwide trends in the commercial, corporate, clinical and community health fitness industry. The results of the eighth annual survey were published in the "Now Trending: Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends for 2014" article published in the November/December issue of ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal.

Lead author of the survey, Walter R. Thompson, Ph.D., FACSM, commented that High Intensity Interval Training's first appearance on the list in the top spot "reflects how this form of exercise has taken the fitness community by storm in recent months."

Orangetheory Fitness has led the fitness industry revolution in HIIT, launching the concept in 2010 and growing its footprint exponentially to 195 franchises across the U.S., Canada and the United Kingdom. David Long, CEO of Orangetheory Fitness commented: "The 'surprising results' of the 2014 ACSM survey are not a big surprise to Orangetheory Fitness. We're thrilled that more than 3,800 fitness experts around the world agree that high-intensity interval training is the biggest change in behavior in the industry and the top trend for 2014."

He adds that the Orangetheory concept is actually an ideal combination of several of the top-20 fitness environments in the study: HIIT, strength training, and group personal training all ranked in the top 10 and are components of the Orangetheory Fitness workout. Based on science and physiology, Orangetheory minimizes the risk of injury sometimes associated with HIIT because of the workout's unique format, ongoing research and development, a personalized heart-rate monitored approach, and skilled personal trainers who lead every session.

"The 2014 ACSM trends study validates our 'theory,' and the fact that it shows up for the first time at number one speaks volumes. Orangetheory Fitness will continue to propel the growth of this concept as a leading brand in the fitness industry," Long concludes.

Orangetheory Fitness is currently accepting qualified franchisees and area developers for U.S. and international markets. Learn more at www.otffranchise.com.

About Orangetheory^® Fitness
Orangetheory^® Fitness (www.orangetheoryfitness.com) is a one-of-a-kind, group personal training workout broken into intervals of cardiovascular and strength training. Backed by the science of excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC), Orangetheory's heart-rate-monitored training is designed to maintain a target zone that stimulates metabolism and increases energy. Led by skilled personal trainers, participants use a variety of equipment including treadmills, rowing machines, SBT Suspension Training and free weights, burning up to an average of 900 calories per session. The result is the Orange Effect -- more energy, visible toning and extra calorie burn for up to 36 hours post-workout.