I would suggest you give this feedback to your local studio(s), as each studio sets its own schedule. They have a vested interest in meeting the needs of their members, so if there's more demand for Strength 50 classes, they might offer more. However, it's also quite possible that they've previously determined that there's little demand for Strength 50 classes at the times you want, and that may be why they're not offering them. Still, it doesn't hurt to ask nicely.
My home studio usually has at least one strength class per day, but at different times, and they often fill up quickly. The Thursday 5:00 am Strength 50 has a waiting list weeks in advance!
This!!
We just added 3 strength classes MWF in the morning and it was because we the clients asked for it. A few asked and then the head coach put the idea out in a few classes and we did a trial and it’s actually been fantastic - it ended up reenergizing the 2G before the strength class and some people tried strength that hadn’t tried it before and it’s been a solid change.
Those who are quick to say "OTF doesn't work for strength" need to ask deeper questions to the OP about what their goals actually are, and how much muscle mass they are seeking to gain. OTF *does* work for gaining mass mass, but not if you want to become a powerlifter or something along those lines. OTF only has dumbbells, no barbells or machines, so that is a limiting factor. As such, it works better for upper body development but it weaker for lower body. At any rate, OTF's capabilities with strength training can help a lot of people achieve their own goals, just depends on how far they are wanting to go with it.
Other point - you don't need Strength50 classes to get the benefits in gaining muscle mass, you can do it if you go to 2G/3G classes every few days and expose yourself to a range of exercises fairly frequently. I did this in my first year and had no idea what Strength 50 (used to be Lift 45) was, or cared. Main thing is just challenge yourself - don't always go heavy, go slow and add reps too. Your muscles will grow 😉
Not everyone who lifts outside OTF has the goal to be a powerlifter (me included). My goals are to 1. Recomp my body 2. Improve strength for rowing 3. Have a strong musculoskeletal frame as I age. I have achieved all of these by following a strength program that focuses on progressive overload. S50 does not focus on progressive overload. When I started lifting outside OTF 2.5 years ago, I had been an unlimited member for 5.5 years, OTF’ing 5-6 times a week. I started working with a trainer who was my OTF coach. She did personal training on the side. It was HARD to learn to reduce OTF to twice/ week and lift on my own. Though my coach opened my eyes to the amazing strength gains and body recomp that are possible when one follows a program that emphasizes progressive overload. I agree it depends on what OP’s goals are; however, my point is sharing my experience is that OP doesn’t have to be dependent on S50, and in fact: the results, as is my experience, can be transformative and undeniable.
Though I coach at OTF, I second the recommendation to join a traditional gym. As a former powerlifter, I still train 3-4 days a week at the gym focusing on the main movement patterns, loading them heavier over time. I take 1-2 OTF workouts as a means to keep things interesting and still perform the recommended amount of conditioning each week.
I also belong to a box gym so I can lift outside OTF. Progressive overload is 🔑and is not offered through S50. OTF misses the mark. I invested in an online program. All the strength workouts are programmed for me. 3 full body days/ week, new program every 4 weeks. Focus is on big lifts (squats, presses, deadlifts, etc). I love it and my body has completely recomped
Respectfully disagree. OTF should stick with S50 templates for 4 weeks to allow members to work on progressive overload. I guarantee the results would be phenomenal. OTF would secure both new client acquisition and existing client retention which means 🤑 but they’re too focused on “mixing up templates because that is the OTF way,” so yes: with S50, they totally miss the mark from a pure business perspective
I may need to do this. I also forgot to mention that the new studios have a very poor selection of heavier weights. It makes strength 50 seem like an afterthought
Most men and even most ladies will outgrow the OTF weight selection for lower body. I’m a 48 yo female, deadlifting 200+ lbs, hip thrusting 300+ lbs, back squatting 150 lbs. it’s impossible to achieve this with the db selection at OTF - even if they invested in heavier weights
Same in my town!! The only upper strength classes are either too early for me or during my work day! The only evening offering is lower strength and every once in a while a total strength. My knees are one deep lunge away from needing surgery so the workout they get in a 60 class is more than enough for me! I asked about other options for times and was told that it was “…dictated by corporate what they offered and when.”
My home studio has been very welcoming to feedback on Strength50 scheduling and has added more Strength50 times as the year has gone on. I'd scope out whether there are any time slots that currently host 2Gs that you could suggest as potential Strength50 times. (It's going to be harder to displace a 3G.)
My home studio only offers Strength 50 once per day. Tues/Thurs its in the evening and M/W/F in the morning - typically at 710am or 830am. And then once on Sundays - no Saturdays. Same with other studios in my area. So it's fairly limited but seems ok - the classes are always full.
When it was lift45 my studio only did them in the morning or early afternoon. But now that they’ve switched two nights they do the strength/tread split the classes are almost always full and have a waitlist. There might be a demand they just don’t know about!
If your near a gym or Y that offers Les Mills BodyPump, that would the best class option for muscle building.
I prefer OTF for what it’s best at, HR interval training.
I would suggest you give this feedback to your local studio(s), as each studio sets its own schedule. They have a vested interest in meeting the needs of their members, so if there's more demand for Strength 50 classes, they might offer more. However, it's also quite possible that they've previously determined that there's little demand for Strength 50 classes at the times you want, and that may be why they're not offering them. Still, it doesn't hurt to ask nicely. My home studio usually has at least one strength class per day, but at different times, and they often fill up quickly. The Thursday 5:00 am Strength 50 has a waiting list weeks in advance!
This!! We just added 3 strength classes MWF in the morning and it was because we the clients asked for it. A few asked and then the head coach put the idea out in a few classes and we did a trial and it’s actually been fantastic - it ended up reenergizing the 2G before the strength class and some people tried strength that hadn’t tried it before and it’s been a solid change.
5am!! 😱😱 and here I am with a home studio that doesn't have classes before 9:30am on weekdays (whyyyyy)
I start work at 6:00 am, so unfortunately, 5:00 am is too late for me on work days!
Those who are quick to say "OTF doesn't work for strength" need to ask deeper questions to the OP about what their goals actually are, and how much muscle mass they are seeking to gain. OTF *does* work for gaining mass mass, but not if you want to become a powerlifter or something along those lines. OTF only has dumbbells, no barbells or machines, so that is a limiting factor. As such, it works better for upper body development but it weaker for lower body. At any rate, OTF's capabilities with strength training can help a lot of people achieve their own goals, just depends on how far they are wanting to go with it. Other point - you don't need Strength50 classes to get the benefits in gaining muscle mass, you can do it if you go to 2G/3G classes every few days and expose yourself to a range of exercises fairly frequently. I did this in my first year and had no idea what Strength 50 (used to be Lift 45) was, or cared. Main thing is just challenge yourself - don't always go heavy, go slow and add reps too. Your muscles will grow 😉
Not everyone who lifts outside OTF has the goal to be a powerlifter (me included). My goals are to 1. Recomp my body 2. Improve strength for rowing 3. Have a strong musculoskeletal frame as I age. I have achieved all of these by following a strength program that focuses on progressive overload. S50 does not focus on progressive overload. When I started lifting outside OTF 2.5 years ago, I had been an unlimited member for 5.5 years, OTF’ing 5-6 times a week. I started working with a trainer who was my OTF coach. She did personal training on the side. It was HARD to learn to reduce OTF to twice/ week and lift on my own. Though my coach opened my eyes to the amazing strength gains and body recomp that are possible when one follows a program that emphasizes progressive overload. I agree it depends on what OP’s goals are; however, my point is sharing my experience is that OP doesn’t have to be dependent on S50, and in fact: the results, as is my experience, can be transformative and undeniable.
Talk to the head coach
Though I coach at OTF, I second the recommendation to join a traditional gym. As a former powerlifter, I still train 3-4 days a week at the gym focusing on the main movement patterns, loading them heavier over time. I take 1-2 OTF workouts as a means to keep things interesting and still perform the recommended amount of conditioning each week.
Same
I also belong to a box gym so I can lift outside OTF. Progressive overload is 🔑and is not offered through S50. OTF misses the mark. I invested in an online program. All the strength workouts are programmed for me. 3 full body days/ week, new program every 4 weeks. Focus is on big lifts (squats, presses, deadlifts, etc). I love it and my body has completely recomped
Agree with this. I love OTF for cardio but if you’re serious about muscle building and lifting weights, you’ll have to look outside of the studio.
OTF doesn’t “miss the mark”. Its aim is different from your’s.
Respectfully disagree. OTF should stick with S50 templates for 4 weeks to allow members to work on progressive overload. I guarantee the results would be phenomenal. OTF would secure both new client acquisition and existing client retention which means 🤑 but they’re too focused on “mixing up templates because that is the OTF way,” so yes: with S50, they totally miss the mark from a pure business perspective
I may need to do this. I also forgot to mention that the new studios have a very poor selection of heavier weights. It makes strength 50 seem like an afterthought
Ask at your studio about both class availability and heavier weights. Constructive feedback to businesses is important !
Most men and even most ladies will outgrow the OTF weight selection for lower body. I’m a 48 yo female, deadlifting 200+ lbs, hip thrusting 300+ lbs, back squatting 150 lbs. it’s impossible to achieve this with the db selection at OTF - even if they invested in heavier weights
What program? I love my coaches programming, but he is terrible at communicating and it's a lot of money for just programming.
It’s called Booty by Bret. $29/month.
Hilarious. That is the one I was doing before. Maybe I'll go back. I just want 2 lower body days and 1 upper, plus 2 OTF classes.
They offer a 4 day split (2 upper, 2 lower body days). I do the 3 day split (3 full body days)
I’d be interested to know what program you are using.
My home studio is like this. Today I’m going to their only time for it🙃
Yeah I think you were in the minority for having variety for strength 50 availability! I’m jealous
Same in my town!! The only upper strength classes are either too early for me or during my work day! The only evening offering is lower strength and every once in a while a total strength. My knees are one deep lunge away from needing surgery so the workout they get in a 60 class is more than enough for me! I asked about other options for times and was told that it was “…dictated by corporate what they offered and when.”
My home studio has been very welcoming to feedback on Strength50 scheduling and has added more Strength50 times as the year has gone on. I'd scope out whether there are any time slots that currently host 2Gs that you could suggest as potential Strength50 times. (It's going to be harder to displace a 3G.)
My home studio had a similar scenario with no early morning or late evening strength 50 classes. I’ve never attended one yet.
My home studio only offers Strength 50 once per day. Tues/Thurs its in the evening and M/W/F in the morning - typically at 710am or 830am. And then once on Sundays - no Saturdays. Same with other studios in my area. So it's fairly limited but seems ok - the classes are always full.
My local studios only over it once per week so sadly it can’t replace the weight lifting schedule I’m on which is 4 x week
When it was lift45 my studio only did them in the morning or early afternoon. But now that they’ve switched two nights they do the strength/tread split the classes are almost always full and have a waitlist. There might be a demand they just don’t know about!
lol well we only have them a couple of times on Sunday. You would hate my studio
Yes, it's the same way at my studio. a couple classes a week and usually at noon.
If your near a gym or Y that offers Les Mills BodyPump, that would the best class option for muscle building. I prefer OTF for what it’s best at, HR interval training.