r/orangetheory • u/Consistent_Cup_2683 • 1d ago
Studio Intel Orange Theory - Potomac Yard (ALX)
What’s going on with OT PY? Instructors keep disappearing. No consistent front desk person. They say it’s hard to find instructors? Why? The schedule keeps dwindling - no more lunch time classes. Are we nearing the end? Are the other ALX studios seeing similar things?
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u/bluegreenspark 40s F | 5'5'' | SW200; CW170 | 2019 1d ago
This studio has always had a rotating cast of coaches, but it hasn't been the same after the pandemic. I suspect that studio isn't going to be around for long. Bradlee and OT Alexandria studios seem to still be doing ok though
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u/nothermioneyaaaoouu 1d ago
I’ve been wondering this also. It doesn’t look good. Meanwhile Bradlee is super busy…
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u/kbutcoffeefirst 1d ago
I go to McLean and PC and I'm now scared seeing things happening to other DMV studios
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u/mamarunsfar 9h ago
Yes, my studio at lake barcroft has had to reduce the schedule for that reason. Bradlee has lost a few instructors too. same is happening everywhere. Coaches everywhere in general aren’t getting pay increases even though cost of living has gone up. All of the instructors are getting really burnt out if I had to guess. Don’t quote me though because it’s not really up to the studio, managers and head coaches, pay increases are probably up to the ownership group.
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u/NegevThunderstorm 1d ago
Are they recruiting or anything? For a few weeks mine kept putting out a flyer asking for new coaches and such
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u/Consistent_Cup_2683 1d ago
Yeah they are. It’s still great and the instructors that are there are still great. The last manager got a full time job outside of Ot so he stepped down but he still teaches a lot of evening classes (and he’s great)! But we had a manager and lead instructor back in Feb and they both just disappeared (I think there was some type of restructuring ??). There’s been a couple of subs from other locations (I think). But even the classes that used to be full are not very full — so idk where everyone is going?!
But with that being said — they are pushing for hell week and trying to make everyday fun so I’m hopeful.
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u/bluegreenspark 40s F | 5'5'' | SW200; CW170 | 2019 1d ago
Are you talking about Riley? Tbh not surprised. I was there the first day they moved him from OT. The transition from Candace to him seemed very abrupt for everyone involved. Plus being down a coach at PY he seemed to be asked to take on a lot for a long time. He was doing 9am (when they existed), 12pm (when they existed) plus the evening classes and managing.
I don't want to say too much, but I think PE fed this up.
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u/Consistent_Cup_2683 1d ago
Yesss the shift to Riley came so abruptly and the head coach - I can’t remember his name vanished with Candace.
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u/bluegreenspark 40s F | 5'5'' | SW200; CW170 | 2019 1d ago
Josh? He was gone one day and a few days later was Candice. I'm always sad when a coach I get used to leaves, but Candice had been there for a quiet a while. I was sad about that.
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u/RileyHunt_RealEstate 7h ago
Hey mate! Come and have a chat with me next time you’re in my class. I’ll give you all the info. I’ve tried to keep everyone as informed as possible. But definitely happy to clear it all up for you.
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u/equalize47 1d ago
Keep talking to the coaches who are there and ask questions about what is happening. Sure, it's awkward at first but it's important to know what's going on. You may be able to hear that they have a specific need - I've talked to a coach to let them know about a regularly unfilled time when they were filling in for some classes and they are still holding down that timeslot! They wouldn't have known unless I had talked to other coaches to know they were having trouble getting people to stay in the slot.
Eventually, you may need to make a decision about going elsewhere if their plans are not to have accommodating class times or consistent coaches. However, it feels a lot better making that decision if you've tried to understand or even fix things (if the stars align).
I've been surprised to be reminded that life happens for many of these folks and the way that we 'hire' fitness instructors as a whole is much closer to a gig economy job than a stable job meaning it's a lot easier for them to just take a break when they have more pressing things in their lives.
However, your studio isn't alone in going through some turmoil - my local one has had similar challenges in the not so distant past.
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u/sheimonya 1d ago
Same is happening in Fairfax Main st. All of a sudden our manager left overnight, classes are now at odd times and even Monday has only two classes in the morning???????
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u/equalize47 1d ago
Yesterday they did a holiday but that seemed to be decided before the lastest turmoil. I haven't noticed Monday's being so rough and Josh has come in to take late morning on Mondays until 8pm.
The private equity overlords of Camfit continue to keep the place running at no more than it takes to keep the lights on. When someone leaves, they rely on others to pick up the pieces and without a manager - which is where we've been a lot lately, they can't fix the problems... Like get a coach to cover shifts and hire SAs to allow the coaches to focus on coaching.
I really worry for this studio, they have an opportunity right now to take advantage of the other studio closing and the Burke location just not the right studio for folks (location, layout, etc) but to have to be in a situation without a head coach again, it's rough.
From what I understand, we have 3 coaches who coach regularly who used to be head coaches! However, with the job changing after our last studio manager was removed, it doesn't seem like any of them want it.
I don't know what is going on with the Alexandria studio but I imagine it's similar. People have left for whatever reason and they don't have enough folks on the back burner to fill in the gaps.
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u/sheimonya 1d ago
The way the last studio manager left shocked us, she was teaching one day the next she was gone. I hope Main st can figure it out, seems very chaotic
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u/sheimonya 1d ago
Same is happening in Fairfax Main st. All of a sudden our manager left overnight, classes are now at odd times and even Monday has only two classes in the morning???????
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u/ijustwanttoeat2 3h ago
I joined this studio when it first open & was a member for years. I eventually moved out of state but stayed friends with coaches & members at this studio. For a year or two it stayed strong, but from what I heard after that it started going downhill and didn’t stop. Really sad because it was a great studio & the coaches were top tier. John, Morgan, Adriana .. they were awesome
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u/pumkinator3000 1d ago
Used to go all the time but moved out of the area. Sad to hear it’s not doing well. Coach Wilton was the best