What’s up, fellow Obsessives?

It’s hard to believe, but this is already the 20th issue of OTF Obsessed!

What started as a little side project I figured would be sent to 20 people has quickly grown into over 800 readers, dozens of supportive notes from many of you and a growing Facebook community and Instagram page.

I hope you’re enjoying the ride as much as I am.

As I get ready for 2026, I’d like to start including the stories and viewpoints of other members, coaches and studio owners. I’m very aware of the limitations of only sharing my experiences and how OTF Obsessed can benefit from learning more of yours.

So with that said, if you know of any interesting, inspirational or transformational stories from your studio … send them my way!

Email Me —> [email protected]

OK, so I caved.

I wrote in last week’s newsletter that I was still divided on whether I should trade in my trusty heart-rate monitor from my first class in 2018 for the new OTconnect Beat.

But then I attended a Tread50 on Monday and my monitor wouldn’t connect to the treadmill. I took that as a sign to buy myself an early birthday present on the way out.

And hey, I’ll never underestimate the value of good newsletter content.

So here’s my initial unbiased review after three classes with my new monitor.

The OTconnect Beat is Orangetheory’s newest heart rate monitor. It physically resembles the previous generation in a lot of ways, but now features a light ring you can enable to reflect your current heart rate zones. It’s advertised as featuring improved tracking and better straps to prevent slippage.

Most studios are offering a trade-in deal for your old monitor. I received $30 off for mine and paid $99 plus tax for the new one.

Getting it up and running could not have been easier. My studio manager tied the new monitor to my account before I left and I came home to do an unboxing video.

The monitor now uses a USB-C cord to charge, which I really like since it’s the same cord that charges my iPhone. However, the port is located underneath a rubber tab on the backside of the pod and it was difficult to open on the first try. If there is one big con to the new monitor, I’m a little worried that the rubber will wear out over time and the port will be exposed to my sweat.

The setup on the app took less than 30 seconds as my iPhone detected the Bluetooth right away and I was able to designate it as my monitor. I also clicked the tab to enable the heart-rate zone display — otherwise it will just glow white/gray for your entire workout.

The strap that was included in the box was snug around my bicep and I at first thought it’d be a problem. But someone on Facebook pointed out that each studio received a bag of smaller and larger bands and they’d be able to swap it out. Sure enough, that was the case and I got a larger band from my studio for the first workout.

I really like how the OTconnect Beat feels on my arm and that’s because I can barely feel it. Both the device and strap are lightweight and barely noticeable when you’re working out.

There’s no question I bought myself a huge upgrade when it came to tracking. My old monitor was useless on the rower. No matter how hard I pulled or how much my heart raced, I was habitually stuck in the gray zone.

With the OTconnect Beat, I see readings that are in line with my Apple Watch. This alone made my purchase feel like a real upgrade instead of just a cosmetic refresh.

And while I know I was still burning the same amount of calories with a less-capable HRM, it’s a nice mental boost to see my real output reflected in my metrics.

I don’t hit the orange zone as often as I used to and I suspect I’d like this feature a little more if I did. Still, it’s useful for me because my usual floor station is tucked away from the big monitor and I don’t have a clear line of sight during the floor blocks. Being able to quickly look at my bicep and instantly know how I’m doing is more useful than I expected it would be.

I’m very happy with my purchase. Though I had plenty of sentimental value for my old monitor and like to be stubborn about such things, getting the new OTconnect Beat was an immediate upgrade for me. If you have an unreliable and older model, it’s definitely time to take the plunge.

If you have a newer model and are happy with your tracking? Well, this upgrade isn’t as necessary. The added features from the previous generation like the lights are fun, but not necessary. At its core, it’s still just a device to track your heart rate and if you feel like that’s getting done for you, you shouldn’t have that much FOMO. Save your money for some holiday shopping instead.

Disclosure: I did not receive the OTconnect Beat from Orangetheory. I purchased this heart rate monitor on my own, and this review is based entirely on my personal experience.

🏃‍♂️ 0.25 mile tread benchmark: The only benchmark of December and the final benchmark of 2025 is here! We just got new treadmills at our studio, so it’ll be interesting to see if the fastest runners are able to best their times (and not fall off 🤞) with the higher speed capability.

• Bridget F. writes in to report that she hit the absolutely jaw-dropping total of 3,500 classes. That’s 146 full days in an Orangetheory studio and even more since I’m assuming there are probably a few 90-minute classes mixed in there. Way to go, Bridget!

• Our good friend Frances M. hit 1,500 classes and got her 12 Days of Xmas beanie all in the same week!

Tell me about your latest milestone or PR! Just hit reply on this email.

Note: OTF Obsessed is an independent fan-created newsletter and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially associated with Orangetheory Fitness.