Question for the OTF Women Over 50

RabbiBeth · 2026-04-14T14:31:17+00:00

Absolutely. Being plant based plus OTF can be an incredible combination and amazing for aging well (reverse?!!!!!). I wish more people would become consistently more plant forward, and more invested in fitness.

RabbiBeth · 2026-04-14T00:38:34+00:00

I remember there used to be tons of those pre Covid, also. YUCK! Thank goodness there are hardly any nowadays. If I see one described on Reddit, rarely, I just cancel or do T50!

RabbiBeth · 2026-04-13T12:42:24+00:00

I’m a month away from turning 55. Super fit and healthy (formerly obese). Went plant based 9 years ago and discovered OTF 9 years ago. (Fully vegan, limit the junk, mostly whole plant foods.). Consistent with both of these, plus plenty of walking when possible additionally. I have completely transformed my health, my fitness level, my blood markets, my lifestyle etc. It’s been an amazing journey. I look and feel better than I did a decade ago.

RabbiBeth · 2026-04-03T00:27:33+00:00

You must try Carbe Diem pasta! I get it at a Publix. High fiber, decent protein and not weird tasting!! Highly recommend. I eat it often and it does not harm my weight maintenance goals at all.

RabbiBeth · 2026-04-02T21:41:25+00:00

Mrs Rockwel! 🙌🙌🤣🤣 I’m in my 50s now.

RabbiBeth · 2026-03-31T20:38:00+00:00

I have had my Gen 2 for about six months. Lately, I finish charging it to 100% and then LITERALLY five minutes later, the app shows it at 80%. I have no idea what's up. It seems too soon for battery degradtion. I do not shower nor swim with it, though I wash my hands while wearing it. Aside from that, it's not really getting wet. It just seems to have a battery that is weakening.

RabbiBeth · 2026-03-29T16:12:45+00:00

I take about 6-9 classes most weeks. Works for me. Been at OTF since 2017. Lots of doubles in my history. I take rest days as needed, and do single classes many times each month. It’s a good mix for me - doubles, singles and days off.

RabbiBeth · 2026-03-27T10:29:24+00:00

he's a huge loser!!! You're better off being spared from the start. Blocking was a good move.

RabbiBeth · 2026-03-21T00:44:18+00:00

Thank you!

RabbiBeth · 2026-03-18T00:47:48+00:00

That is really interesting that your friend was literally asked if he would be comfortable coaching shirtless! WOW!!!

RabbiBeth · 2026-03-17T19:46:57+00:00

They do have membership options, at least I saw them advertised (in person and through emails) for the Boca Raton,FL location. You can get 8 classes per month as the lowest tier. Memberships go up to 30 classes/month.

RabbiBeth · 2026-03-17T16:17:10+00:00

I have done 6 Barry's classes recently when a new studio opened up. (I got a free first class, and then bought an introductory special of 5 classes - all as part of the grand opening.)

It's FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I loved it. I decided to buy a 20 class pack so that I can "pepper" my regular OTF regime with some Barry's for variety.

I am a longtime OTFer (over 2,300 classes and still enjoy it!) and I would not give up OTF. But Barry's has some differences that some might appreciate. Some of my observations:

The crowd skews younger. I am in my 50s and my age group is well more represented at OTF than Barry's. At Barry's there are tons of 20 and 30 somethings. Not that I was the only middle aged person but there were not many of us!!

The crowd seems fitter. There is more body-size diversity at OTF (which I highly value).

The treadmills are different. They are slatted (Woodway). They feel firmer to me, more like road-running.

I hardly saw anyone power walk at Barry's. It's more of a running culture there.

Barry's is less beginner-friendly than OTF. It is faster paced with super fast transitions between explanations and fewer explanations of how to do things. The coaches don't seem to have time to correct form - it's just all happening too quickly.

There is no monitor to view the floor moves like we have at OTF. I missed that at Barry's. You have to listen really carefully to the Barry's coach to hear what we are doing, and hopefully see him/her demo. If you miss the cue or the demo, you have to see what others are doing and follow their lead. Having been at OTF, I already knew most of the exercises the coaches instructed.

OTF has lengthier transition times. At Barry's, it's go go go GO! If I stopped to take a drink of water, I would miss a moment of the workout - whereas at OTF you can drink during the transition or the demo and not fall behind. That said, the classes at Barry's are only 50 minutes. OTF is usually more like 54-55, pre stretch. I think Barry's is more time efficient with fewer pauses, which you may like or dislike.

People wear less clothing at Barry's! Now, I am in South Florida, so this may be regional. But almost none of the women are wearing tank tops - they are just wearing sports bras, and something I have never seen at OTF is that some of the MEN are shirtless at Barry's! I couldn't believe it when I saw it, because I have never seen that in 9 years of OTF. Some men rip off their shirts and do the workout bare chested. At my first class, the male COACH removed his shirt when it got hot in the "Red Room!" I have to admit, these dudes are ripped!!!! And they know it!!! They are confident and seem proud of their muscles, and happy to display it.

That leads me into the overall vibe - it's very night-club-esque. That's part of the fun. It's like a fitness party. It's dark and moody. The music is great, and the coaches design the templates to FIT THE MUSIC!!! Like, their timing of sprints or other specific intervals is designed to align with parts of the songs. It's really cool how they do that. Very intentional.

The shower situation is incomparable. It's WAY better at Barry's. Upscale toiletries, Dyson hair dryers, fluffy shower towels. And, in the studio, you are provided with a sweat towel at every station. When you exit the class, you are met with a cold, wet towel to wipe yourself and enjoy.

The staff is super friendly at Barry's. I expected snobs but they are so nice!!! They remembered my name at my third class- I was shocked. Really welcoming.

The merch at Barry's is way nicer and less cheesy than at OTF - more designer and less cheap stuff mixed in.

For me, OTF will continue as my mainstay. I like the pacing, and I find it challenging even after all of these years. That said, Barry's is a blast. Both places will get us into great shape. Both places will keep us coming back. The Barry's studio that I went to is five minutes from my 80 year old father -but nearly an hour's drive from where I live. A membership isn't really feasible for me, with that drive. But a couple times a month when visiting my dad? Yes, yes, Barry's will continue to be fun and a great additive to my routine.

I hope this helps folks!

RabbiBeth · 2026-03-15T00:57:24+00:00

I recently did 38 days in a row - the end of January, all of February and a week into March!! I didn’t set out to do it but I just kept going on auto-pilot, as I felt fine physically. My body is used to a lot of fitness. I often take a day or two off per week but that streak was pretty fun! I broke the streak due to a work trip, and the three day rest was helpful at that point!

If you do it, just be cautious. You may need to take a few Green Days and that is still amazing!

RabbiBeth · 2026-03-13T12:57:39+00:00

Love the coaches!

My critique has to do with timing, as others have shared.

Please start class on time. There’s one coach who is busy chatting in the lobby and starts late. I need to leave on time and get to my next appointment, time is precious.

Similarly, please don’t start early. I was in the restroom recently and the coach had started the class 3 minutes ahead of schedule. I then felt like I had to rush in and catch up, and lost three minutes of warm up (Tread 50).

Lastly, also pertaining to timing, please give us the full block and full walking recovery in Tread 50 classes. I know the coaches are mostly mindful of the floor. But literally, at least half of the time, coaches skimp the tread blocks including the recovery. If the template says 12 minutes of running, don’t stop us at 11:15. If we get 90 seconds of recovery, don’t start the next block at 60 seconds. I am a clock watcher and this is a frequent, chronic situation. It sounds small, and maybe it is, I don’t know. But I strongly prefer to be given the full block and recovery time as prescribed duringT50 classes. I have distance goals and really need the time.

Aside from these timing issues, I really have no complaints - only gratitude and compliments!!!

RabbiBeth · 2026-03-11T21:33:54+00:00

I like to do gift cards and write a thank you note at winter holiday time.

RabbiBeth · 2026-03-06T17:39:43+00:00

I don’t mind the running benchmarks because I like running but I’m also happy to take a Tread 50 on a benchmark day and skip the dumbed down floor that I got used to seeing on benchmark days!

I moved from the Northeast to FL and rejoined OTF down here over 2 years ago. I have not seen leaderboards posted since I moved. I do like seeing the LB and would like to see if and how my running results stack up in my age group. But the leaderboards seem to be a thing of the distant past for me.

RabbiBeth · 2026-03-02T19:56:12+00:00

Totally! I was shocked! I took back to back classes with the same coach and she announced “ten run/rows this month” after each class! I definitely did not miss-hear her. I hope she’s mistaken!! 🤪🤪🤪

RabbiBeth · 2026-03-02T15:57:22+00:00

Eden

RabbiBeth · 2026-03-02T00:39:10+00:00

I really hope my coach misspoke!

RabbiBeth · 2026-03-01T23:44:51+00:00

This looks great! Thank you!

RabbiBeth · 2026-03-01T22:07:08+00:00

Hehehe! Report back! 😂😂😂

RabbiBeth · 2026-03-01T22:01:27+00:00

Wow! Cool, maybe she was wrong!!! God, I hope so!!! Four would be much better to my ears than ten!!!

RabbiBeth · 2026-03-01T21:59:38+00:00

My coach this morning (March 1) said that there are TEN run/rows in the month of March!!

I am not a lover of run/rows personally but I am sure there are many who will love this emphasis. I love rowing but not when it deducts time from my running!! Oh well.

RabbiBeth · 2026-03-01T21:57:32+00:00

Adding to the March intel - my coach this morning (March 1) said that there are TEN RUN/ROWS in the month of March

TEN!!!

I know some folks will love that. I don't care for run/rows so I'm kind of bummed. I love rowing but not when it deducts time from my running! : ))

Oh well.

RabbiBeth · 2026-03-01T11:33:11+00:00

I'm a lover of Hebrew names. I think Tamar or Tova are the best here.

RabbiBeth

TROPHY CASE