Orangetheory Fitness Begins Quest to Raise $1 Million in Two Weeks to Find a Cure for ALS

- Top Fitness Franchise Partners with Augie's Quest for First Brand-Wide Fundraising Campaign -

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Feb 15, 2017, 08:04 ET

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Feb. 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Orangetheory® Fitness, the scientifically backed and fast-growing fitness franchise, today announced it has partnered with Augie's Quest, a foundation dedicated to finding a cure for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) disease, with the goal of raising $1 million in two weeks. The company's first national fundraiser, named the #IBurnForALS campaign, will take place from Feb. 20 to March 5. During the two-week period, more than 570 Orangetheory Fitness studios around the country will encourage members to donate money to support Orangetheory's quest to reach $1 million. All money raised will be donated to Augie's Quest in support of ALS research.

The #IBurnForALS fundraising campaign will consist of Orangetheory Fitness coaches challenging participants in each class during the two week period to donate at least $1 per splat point achieved. Splat points are attained for every minute a participant spends in the 'orange zone,' which is their target-training zone of 84 percent to 91 percent of their heart rate. The orange zone stimulates metabolism and increases energy. In addition, on Saturday, February 25, Orangetheory will host Augie-thon, a specialty donation session at every studio. Augie-thon is a unique 90-minute Orangetheory class that members and non-members can attend for a donation of $20. The first 45 participants at each studio will receive a special black or orange sweatband.

"ALS is not an incurable disease; it's an underfunded one, and we hope to change that," said Dave Long, co-founder and chief executive officer of Orangetheory Fitness. "We're honored to be partnering with Augie's Quest in the fight against ALS. Augie Nieto has a long-standing relationship with the fitness industry, so the partnership was an obvious choice for us. We are confident that the dedicated members of our Orange Nation will help us hit our goal of raising $1 million in support of ALS research."

Augie's Quest was co-founded by Augie Nieto and his wife, Lynne. Nieto is known for his role in shaping today's fitness world as the co-founder and CEO of Life Fitness, Lifecycle and Octane Fitness. He was diagnosed with ALS in 2005 and has been dedicated to finding treatments and cures for the disease ever since through events, partnerships and fundraising activities around the globe. Augie's Quest directly funds the ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI), the world's foremost drug discovery center focused solely on finding a cure for ALS. The Institute's innovative science and cutting edge approach has resulted in the identification of AT-1501, a promising treatment for ALS. ALS TDI also pioneered the ALS Precision Medicine Program, the world's premier program and partnership with ALS patients to discover additional potential treatments.

"I refuse to stop burning in my quest to find a cure for ALS and encourage all Orangetheory members and non-members alike to join our #IBurnForALS campaign," said Nieto, the Chief Inspiration Officer for Augie's Quest and Chairman of the Board for the ALS Therapy Development Institute. "Together with Orangetheory Fitness, I am confident that we can reach our goal in support of those awaiting treatment and a cure."

ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a disorder that affects the function of nerves and muscles. More than 6,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with ALS each year. The life expectancy of a person with ALS averages two to five years from the time of diagnosis, however there is evidence that people with ALS are living longer, at least partially due to clinical management interventions, riluzole and other compounds and drugs under investigation.

Orangetheory Fitness launched its first studio in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. in March 2010, and has transformed into one of the world's top fitness franchises, with over 570 studios in 45 states and 11 countries. The 60-minute, five zone heart-rate monitored interval training concept has helped tens of thousands of members lose weight, get toned and meet their overall fitness goals in a short amount of time. The fitness franchise is on track to have 900 open studios in 2017.

For more information about the #IBurnForALS campaign, please visit your nearest Orangetheory Fitness studio. To learn more about Augie's Quest, please visit AugiesQuest.org. Members and non-members alike can make donations at AugiesQuest.ALS.net/OTF. More information about Orangetheory Fitness is available on Orangetheory's website. Follow Orangetheory Fitness on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for the latest news and trends.

About Orangetheory Fitness:

Orangetheory® Fitness (www.orangetheoryfitness.com) is a scientifically designed, 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 workouts are designed to get participants within the target-training zone of 84 percent to 91 percent of their heart rate, which stimulates metabolism and increases energy. Led by highly skilled coaches, each Orangetheory Fitness workout incorporates endurance, strength and power elements through a variety of equipment including treadmills, rowing machines, TRX® suspension training and free weights. The end result is more energy, visible toning and the 'Orange Effect' – where participants keep burning calories for up to 36 hours post-workout (the Orangetheory Fitness 'afterburn') for an average of 500+ total calories burned per every 60-minute workout. The company was ranked #60 in Inc. magazine's Fastest Growing Private Companies List and #225 in Entrepreneur's 2016 Franchise 500® list of the top franchises in the world. Visit www.otffranchise.com for area developer and franchise opportunities.

Contact:
Courtney Whelan
Fish Consulting
954-893-9150
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SOURCE Orangetheory Fitness