Fort Morgan’s GlowCO studio introduces The Hot Yoga Dome
First one in Colorado to offer heated yoga and Pilates classes
When Meredith Chapin, the owner of GlowCO, was looking into options for introducing heated classes to her studio, she came across an interesting company called The Hot Yoga Dome. Though the company originated in California, Chapin knew it was just what her northeastern Colorado studio needed.
Because she rents her studio space in Fort Morgan, Chapin was hesitant to add more permanent infrastructure to the building itself. The Hot Yoga Dome provided a perfect solution.
“We’re actually the only ones in Colorado that have one. I don’t think there’s actually many studio ones in the U.S., but we’re definitely the only one in Colorado,” Chapin said.
She was able to order a custom-sized dome for one of the back rooms in her studio and set it up last Friday, April 22, for the community to drop in and see it for themselves.
Once the dome inflates to its full size, infrared heaters are added to create the heat, along with a sauna steamer pot to create the humidity. (The temperature ranges from about 85-90 degrees Fahrenheit and typically sits at 50% humidity.) Chapin plans to play music during classes to lessen some of the noise from the dome’s fan and add colorful lighting to complete the experience.
“Some of the benefits of the heat… It helps you get warmed up a lot faster. You’re able to stretch a little bit more and get a little bit more range of motion with the heat,” she said. “The heaters are infrared, which is really great for detoxing and for your skin and just overall health. The humidity also, of course, is really good for your skin, especially here (in Colorado). With the heat and humidity, you’re going to be sweating a lot more (and) getting out all that yucky stuff… you get a little bit of a detox at the same time (as your workout).”
She does encourage people to bring their own yoga mats, especially for hot yoga, but the studio does still have some available for use. All of the usual cleaning procedures for equipment will be followed, and Chapin confirms that the inside of the dome is also very easy to clean.
This Friday, April 29, the first GlowCO hot yoga class starts at 5:30 p.m. Hot yoga classes will remain on the calendar
every Friday afternoon, and hot Pilates classes will begin on Wednesday, May 4, at 8:15 a.m. Chapin plans to increase the number and type of heated classes according to demand.
“(The heated classes will) be catered to pretty much all levels. However, the heat adds another level of intensity. If people have any sort of health concerns or preexisting conditions or they might not do well in a hot and humid environment, then we encourage them to maybe try one of our non-heated classes instead. If you’re brand new to yoga, you might want to consider a nonheated class first just to get the basics and get the feel of it. But if you are already somebody who exercises or stays active, you’d probably be fine jumping into a hot class,” Chapin said. “We definitely welcome anyone to come give it a try, as this is a new thing for pretty much the whole county. We want to welcome all abilities and ages and have something for everyone.”
Because space inside the dome is more limited than in a regular studio class, Chapin estimates there will be a capacity of about eight to 10 people per heated class. She recommends reserving a spot in advance at app.punchpass.com/ org/11132/calendar. (On the calendar, heated classes are marked with a fire icon.) For the Friday, April 29 class, sign up at app.punchpass.com/ org/11132/classes/10817027.