Do you actually need to buy their pricey heart-rate strap? Short answer: nope. Here's the friendly version.
Rob asked, Wullie dug into it · 21 July 2026
The 20-second version ⏱️
The band OTF sells (the "OTF Burn," or their newest one, the "OTconnect Beat") is the expensive route — roughly $100–150.
You don't have to buy theirs. A Polar chest strap or armband (about $80–90) plugs straight into the Orangetheory studio system — and is actually more accurate.
Going used is fine too. Second-hand OTF bands are all over eBay for less — you just ask the front desk to link it to your account.
💳 What Orangetheory sells the spendy option
These pair right to the screens on the wall, which is lovely — but you're paying a premium for the orange logo, and they mostly only talk to OTF's own app.
$$$
OTF Burn — the armband you wear on your forearm. Snaps onto the studio screens automatically. ~$100–150.
new
OTconnect Beat — their newest monitor, rolling out across studios through 2026. The shiny one they'll push at the desk.
strap
OTF chest strap — their own chest-strap version. ~$90.
🎯 Cheaper stuff that actually works
Here's the bit the front desk won't lead with: Orangetheory officially works with several non-OTF monitors. Best of all, you own a proper device you can use with any app afterwards — Apple Fitness, Peloton, a bike, whatever.
best value
Polar Verity Sense — a comfy armband, no chest strap needed. Works with OTF and everything else. ~$80.
most accurate
Polar H10 chest strap — the gold standard for accuracy, the one serious folks use. Works with OTF. ~$90.
works
Wahoo chest strap — also compatible with the studio system.
only if…
Apple Watch or Garmin you already own — these can work, but you need an OTBeat Link bridge (~$129) to connect them. So not cheaper — only worth it if you're set on using your watch.
💸 Buying one used
If you just want the real OTF band for less, second-hand is easy money-saving.
where
eBay (the safest bet), plus Facebook Marketplace, Mercari, or other members at your studio. Cheaper than new.
the catch
A used one is often still linked to the last owner. Ask the studio front desk to reset it to your account — they do this all the time, takes a minute.
watch for
No warranty on used, so buy from a seller who takes returns. And grab one with a fresh, washable band — nobody wants a stranger's sweat 😅.
🏆 What OTF sells vs. the alternatives
Option
Type
Ballpark
Works with OTF?
Polar Verity Sense
Armband
~$80
Yes ✓
Polar H10
Chest strap
~$90
Yes ✓ (most accurate)
Used OTF Burn
Armband
less, varies
Yes ✓ (reset at desk)
OTF Burn (new)
Armband
~$100–150
Yes ✓
Apple Watch + OTBeat Link
Watch + bridge
~$129 bridge
Yes ✓ (needs bridge)
🧡 Wullie's pick for you, Meg if you asked me
🥇
Want simple + better accuracy? Grab a Polar Verity Sense armband (~$80) or Polar H10 chest strap (~$90). Works with Orangetheory, more accurate than their band, and yours to use with any app forever.
🥈
Only care about OTF and want cheapest? Buy a used OTF Burn off eBay and have the front desk link it to your account.
🚫
The one to skip: paying full price for a brand-new OTF band — unless you really want that exact one.
📌 Quick honesty note: prices are ballpark (they bounce around by store, colour, and sale) — worth a 2-minute double-check when you actually buy. And it's always worth a quick "does this work here?" to your specific studio's front desk, since setups vary slightly location to location.