Melt - Algonquin, IL

123 S. Main Street, Algonquin, IL 60102

http://www.meltpilates.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meltpilates/

Owner Shannon Tampa says she’s been working out her whole life. By the age of 5, she was playing soccer and continued for 18 years. By age 12, she was running to the local rec center in the Chicago suburb of Schaumburg, Illinois, in order to lift weights. “I didn’t know what I was doing,” she says of her inexperience, “but I loved working out.”

While she pursued finance and business for her undergraduate and graduate work, her passion pulled her back into obtaining certification as a personal trainer. After stints working for larger gyms, the YMCA and privately as a personal trainer, Tampa set her sites on her own place. “Since high school, I wanted to open my own gym,” she says.

While scoping out her business plan, Tampa found that people in her area were traveling 20 to 30 miles to attend hot yoga classes. She had never taken a yoga class in her life. Tampa waited a while; she was sure that such a venue would open in Algonquin. It never did. So she filled the need.

Finding 123 S. Main Street was exactly the place she wanted. When she met with a real estate agent, Tampa was very specific, “I did not want to be in a strip mall. I wanted something special.” Located in the older, historic part of town, the building offered space for everything she wanted: spa, workout facility and hot yoga.

She opened in 2012, first hiring yoga professionals who advised her on every part of setting up the classes, which take place in 105 degree rooms. Tampa admits that at first she was worried and just hoped people would come. Today, she not only has 15 yoga classes, but 20 Pilates reformer classes, three “Boot Camp” classes, two “Tight N Tone” classes and a handful of boxing classes. Her staff of 10 teaches between 300 and 400 students.

While Tampa aspired to open a gym, she’s quick to point out that her studio is not a gym. The facility is only open when classes are in session. And the “Melt” moniker has a number of meanings. “I didn’t just think about the hot [yoga],” she says, “Melting, like relaxing; you just feel like melting.” This refers to everything from the full-service spa treatments to the exercise that loosens up clients. “Every day, people leave here feeling happy; it doesn’t feel like a job when I see so many people leave here feeling so good.”

Tampa says that the building at 123 S. Main Street is not only full of character, but is also full of that positive energy. Classes are small and personal and the hot yoga allows people to find “me time” and slow down. “There’s a lot of love and good energy…I can’t describe it,” she says. Tampa also finally tried a hot yoga class herself and now finds she’s addicted to it. “It made a huge impact on my life.”