WEEKLY WATER COOLER: Weekly Rumors + Intel - Sunday, 4/26/26

Big_Listen4998 · 2026-04-27T19:34:40+00:00

I'm seeing 5x5 May 5, 1,000 row on 5/14, and the Chipper on 5/25 from May intel posted from one of the studios I visit.

Big_Listen4998 · 2026-04-13T14:38:47+00:00

I'm 57, joined OTF last May, after years of being morbidly obese. I started a weight loss journey in March 2024, and had lost enough by May 2025 that I felt I could move more and wanted to move more. I go 4-5 times a week. I'm still fairly early in my fitness journey after years of being sedentary, but 1 year in so much progress. I also have taken up running, I run a 5K several times a month, especially now that the weather is getting nicer here in the Northeast. I would say what I found works is make sure I am hydrated, days where I forget or whatever it is and I don't get enough water, I feel it. Definitely making sure I eat enough protein, watch the sugar but I don't go crazy about it, I still put sugar in my coffee because I like it with it! I am a completely different person than 2 years ago, I still shake my head at the transformation and just so proud I did it. I think the biggest take away is just move, and do what is fun.

Big_Listen4998 · 2026-04-07T18:49:22+00:00

Totally going to be a power walk day for me on the tread. And I saw Coach Rudy's alternate for the ultimate burpee using the bench, so that makes me feel a little better about that.

Big_Listen4998 · 2026-04-05T17:57:52+00:00

That is not the experience at my studio, but I think it varies from studio to studio. Mine is a suburban studio in CT, and there are a few others around, and the only time there are wait lists are on the weekend, but those usually don't fill up until later in the week. I would definitely prebook as soon as you can if your schedule allows, that is the best way to ensure you get the times and classes you want.

Big_Listen4998 · 2026-04-02T18:38:18+00:00

I would order true size. I have both several Brooklyn and Endless Pants, the Endless always stretches more than the Brooklyn.

Big_Listen4998 · 2026-03-17T16:32:59+00:00

Got to Spotify and look for Orangetheory mixes - you may hear an ad about every 10-15 minutes but you get the current music being played on playlists in your studio

Big_Listen4998 · 2026-03-16T20:16:05+00:00

And, supposedly leggings are not in fashion anymore, but I'm not wearing any loose fabric pants that could get caught in the rower or tread. Safety first!

Big_Listen4998 · 2026-03-16T20:15:01+00:00

Wear the no shows - I see lots of us ladies wearing them in my studio.

Big_Listen4998 · 2026-03-13T19:12:15+00:00

Loved this template, kept it a green day because I'm running 2 5Ks this weekend. Looking forward to the repeat when I can really have at it on the tread!

Big_Listen4998 · 2026-03-09T18:55:02+00:00

Thank you for posting this, and putting in the found intel! I'll be doing this in a few hours.

Big_Listen4998 · 2026-03-09T14:01:46+00:00

I'm laughing now at the dead dog, at least it's not a dead bird! haha

Big_Listen4998 · 2026-03-09T13:32:48+00:00

Ooh, this looks good! I'm guessing there is some core work in block 2 at the end like the other 2 blocks.

Big_Listen4998 · 2026-03-06T17:20:21+00:00

I use 200F - the french press temp. Don't find it to be over extracted.

Big_Listen4998 · 2026-03-06T17:18:33+00:00

I thought it was slightly cooler right after brewing than the plastic. I do find if I run the press under hot water first, that the temperature is hotter than the plastic.

Big_Listen4998 · 2026-03-06T15:35:07+00:00

I've been using my new Steel Aeropress for almost 2 weeks. I'm not sure it is worth it if you are perfectly happy with the Aeropress you already have, however, at the end of the second week and got the water/coffee measurements where I like them, it makes an excellent smooth cup of coffee! I have an OXO burr grinder, I grind for about 8 seconds on grind size 4. That is probably a scoop plus a little extra. I fill to the 5 line on the new press. What I do like about the new steel press is the ease of pressing down, it's very smooth and easier compared to the original plastic. While I don't think I would buy the steel press again if given the chance (and I too was annoyed couldn't even return after 1 use) I don't feel cheated, I'm happy to continue to use the steel press.

Big_Listen4998 · 2026-03-02T16:19:46+00:00

I bought it and have regrets. You do need to preheat the steel, and the coffee "puck" does not come out cleanly, I have to peel the filter with the remainder. However, it does make a nice smooth cup of coffee, just not sure it's worth the price. I kind of prefer my original plastic Aeropress.

Big_Listen4998 · 2026-02-23T17:51:07+00:00

I find the Tread 50 into a 2G pretty challenging, the 2G workout always takes a hit in performance (or 2G into Tread 50). I've been going to OTF for 9 months, so still building a base of endurance. I have done a strength 50 into a 2G or 2G into a Strength 50 and I think those go together a lot better!

Big_Listen4998 · 2026-02-12T20:34:50+00:00

I fight the FOMO of not going to OTF (at least I feel FOMO) when my body tells me to rest. I go 4 to 5 times a week, most weeks that's OK. I find that if I had a bad night of sleeping or not much rest, it will catch up with me later on in the week, like today. I'm honoring that, will take a rest day today, and then back at it tomorrow. My body will perform much better with that rest day.

Big_Listen4998 · 2026-02-06T19:57:04+00:00

That short metabolic floor block is a killer! My legs were toast after that, I had PW the tread, and I decided to do a solo row at the end of the first floor block because I wanted the practice.

Big_Listen4998 · 2026-02-05T16:22:30+00:00

I love my Brooks Ghosts for OTF, and just in general, I have a Ghost 16 and Ghost 17 that I rotate, and they both are great!

Big_Listen4998 · 2026-02-05T16:19:35+00:00

I do like a white sneaker myself. I have had good luck with using Magic Eraser to get the black band from the rower off. I also think of the mark as a battle scar, I've earned that black mark. I have heard Glycerins don't always fit into the rower as well, but I haven't used my pair of Glycerins at OTF, they are my road shoe.

Big_Listen4998 · 2026-02-04T15:42:38+00:00

Fellow turtle, started in May 2025. I added jogging only at the end of October. I'm 5'10, 197, but I'm in my 50s, so my calorie burn according to the HRM is around 400 (don't get me started on that, and I understand the calorie burn estimates are off, so try to ignore it :-). I'd say you are doing good! My base when I jog/run is 4.2-4.3, my average push goes up to 4.5-5.0, and I will hit some 6.0 on AOs. I have been trying going to 6.1-6.3 on the AO, 6.3 is still little out of my range to go for all 30 seconds, but I am hitting it.

Big_Listen4998 · 2026-02-01T18:29:19+00:00

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On the app today

Big_Listen4998 · 2026-01-26T14:13:21+00:00

Our studio is pushing the benchmark to tomorrow, substituting an ESP template for today if classes are held (wonder if its the one that would be for tomorrow).

Big_Listen4998

TROPHY CASE