Orangetheory Fitness Announces Sponsorship of Texas Athletics

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Aug 16, 2016, 12:01 ET

AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Orangetheory^® Fitness today announced a one-year agreement with The University of Texas at Austin, making the fitness chain the presenting sponsor of Texas Athletics' Hype Squad for more than 100 Texas Longhorns events throughout the 2016-2017 school year.

"Orangetheory Fitness has a history of partnering with elite athletic organizations, from the New York Yankees to Olympic Athletes," said Terry Blachek, co-founder and area owner of Orangetheory Fitness. "As we expand in Central Texas, it makes perfect sense to support the Texas Longhorns, and with our high-energy workouts, the Hype Squad was an ideal fit."

During the past two years, Texas Athletics has prioritized its fan experience by creating gameday atmospheres that can only be appreciated in-venue. Athletics marketing officials brought in a dedicated interactive squad—the Hype Squad—that appears at all ticketed home sporting events.

"We are grateful that Orangetheory Fitness sees the value our Hype Squad members bring to Texas Athletics competitions and events. Through positive energy and movement, the Hype Squad is integral to setting the tone for our fans, who give back that energy to our student-athletes and coaches," said Chris Plonsky, women's athletics director and executive senior associate athletics director for external services at Texas. "We hope this exciting partnership with Orangetheory Fitness allows their innovative cardio and strength training philosophy to take hold as Orangetheory expands into and around the Austin area."

Orangetheory Fitness arrived in Central Texas with its first studio in 2014. Since then, Orangetheory has opened seven locations in Austin with plans to expand into the surrounding areas. The company recently announced that it's tripling in size in this region, opening 10 new locations in Central Texas by the end of 2016, including studios in Dripping Springs, New Braunfels, San Marcos, Austin and San Antonio, among others. The fitness studio currently has 33 locations in Texas, and there are more than 450 locations worldwide.

Orangetheory Fitness is based on the physiological science known as excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC). The workout is a 60-minute class broken into intervals of cardiovascular and strength training. Participants burn anywhere from 500 to 1,000 calories per 60-minute training session using a variety of equipment including treadmills, rowing machines, TRX suspension training™ and free weights.

The heart-rate-monitored training is designed to keep heart rates in a target zone that stimulates metabolism and increases energy. The result is the Orange Effect—more energy, visible toning and extra calorie burn for up to 36 hours post workout.

Hype Squad members are selected through extensive on-campus recruiting efforts, interviews and tryouts. In 2015-16, 24 UT students debuted as the inaugural Hype Squad. They volunteered their time to train and study with performance professionals, including workshops by entertainment consultants and local improv instructors. They practiced weekly to prepare for upcoming events and generate new and innovative ways to engage with fans and execute in-game contests. Last season, the Hype Squad appeared at more than 135 Texas Athletics events.

Recruitment is nearly complete for the 2016-17 Hype Squad, so the team will grow to approximately 30 members, all currently enrolled UT students who are working toward degree requirements in over 18 different majors including Actuarial Mathematics, Anthropology, and Arts and Entertainment Technologies. In their second season, the Hype Squad will continue to raise the bar for finding innovative ways to personalize the in-game experience for fans.

The deal between Orangetheory Fitness and Texas Athletics was facilitated by IMG, the multi-media rights partner of the University of Texas.

About Orangetheory^®Fitness

Orangetheory Fitness is a one-of-a-kind, group personal training workout broken into intervals of cardiovascular and strength training. Backed by the science of excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC), Orangetheory's heart-rate-monitored training is designed to maintain a target zone that stimulates metabolism and increases energy. Led by skilled personal trainers, participants use a variety of equipment including treadmills, rowing machines, TRX® suspension training and free weights, burning an average of 900 calories including after-burn. The result is the Orange Effect—more energy, visible toning and extra calorie burn for up to 36 hours post-workout. Based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Orangetheory was recently ranked #415 in Inc. magazine's Fastest Growing Private Companies List and #462 in Entrepreneur's 2015 Franchise 500^® list of the top franchises in the world. Visit OTFFranchise.com for area developer and franchise opportunities. To become a member or learn more about the workout, visit http://orangetheoryfitness.com/. The first workout is always free.

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SOURCE Orangetheory Fitness