Tag Archives: Lake in the Hills

Owner Linda Costoff shows one of the Hula Hoops at Intrigue Fitness

Hula Hoop to Pole Dancing Classes at Intrigue Fitness in LITH

Classes at Intrigue Fitness in Lake in the Hills include hula hoop, pole dancing, Zumba, yoga and other fitness sessions. Owner Linda Costoff opened this women only boutique studio in August 2012. I sampled a wide variety of the classes available then joined as a member.

Picking up the hula hoop at my first class I realized this was not the same  type of toy hoop we used in grade school. The colorful hula hoops used in these workshops are larger and heavier in weight. Linda told us these adult sized hoops are for adult size bodies. The larger and heavier hoops are easier to keep in motion.

During our one hour hula hoop class we learned to swing the hoop around our hips both clockwise and counterclockwise. We did this with both a side to side then a forward and back technique. Next we learned how to walk forward while keeping the hoop in motion. We practiced three ways to do turns while the hoop continued to spin around our waist. We even attempted a trick transferring a spinning hope from one hand to the other.

Owner Linda Costoff shows one of the Hula Hoops at Intrigue Fitness

Owner Linda Costoff shows one of the Hula Hoops at Intrigue Fitness

Hula hooping is a great cardio workout and works the mid section of the body. Click on the video below to see Linda Costoff demonstrating basic and advanced hula hoop tricks.

Linda also taught our 90 minute pole dancing workshop which began with stretching exercises focusing on the core. Next we moved on to strengthening exercises including push ups and pull-ups targeting the upper body. During the session, my fellow classmates and I learned a simple mat and pole routine.

Classes sizes are small with eight poles in the studio. The room is softly lit and there are no mirrors. It is a comfortable environment where women of all levels can participate and have fun.

Students can try pole dancing workshops to learn more. These workshops are popular for private events and bachelorette parties. Classes generally run eight weeks and students advance at their own speed.

Linda began pole dancing about two years ago and at the end of class she showed us a routine she is working on. This included inversions and advanced tricks. She used both static and spinning poles for these moves.

A variety of fitness sessions are available at Intrigue Fitness. Mind body sessions include tai chi and three types of yoga classes are held during the week. Try Latin dancing infused Zumba and Hip Hop dance classes. Small group and individual personal training sessions are available.

At Intrigue Fitness, instructors remember students names and ask about injuries or restrictions. They show modifications and adapt to enable all fitness levels to participate. They even give you tips on how to wash your workout clothes.I am including the site for you https://www.odorklenz.com/product/sport-detergent-for-workout-clothes/.

Intrigue Fitness is for those who enjoy small group environments and personal service. It is not for those who are looking for expanded services big box gyms offer like child care, swimming pools, lockers and showers. There are no treadmills, elliptically or rowing machines at the studio.

Payment is per class, punch card or monthly dues. The studio is located 9115 Trinity Drive in Lake in the Hills, Illinois 60156. Phone (224) 678-9943 or email intriguefitness@yahoo.com
on the web http://www.intrigue-fitness.com

Fitness Center · Yoga & Pilates · Personal Trainer
9115 Trinity Drive, Lake in the Hills, IL.
Follow Intrigue Fitness on Facebook at  http://www.facebook.com/IntrigueFitness

Chen Newest Chinese Restaurant in McHenry County

If you like Chinese food, check out Chen Chinese Cuisine restaurant in Lake in the Hills, McHenry County. This stand alone site which was once a Bakers Square restaurant has been completely remodeled. If the Chen name sounds familiar, you may have been to Chen’s original location which was in a strip mall across Randall Road for the past 8 years. The original restaurant, opened 16 years ago, is in Crystal Lake.

Throughout our meal we could hear the soothing sounds of the water sculpture in the front entry way. Large windows surround the dining area which is bisected by the bar area. Black lacquered tables and warm brown and red colors complete the atmosphere.

Our meal began with a pot of tea. We choose green tea; Oolong and jasmine tea are also available.

We ordered from the large lunch time specials menu. I had the vegetarian Ma Po Tofu, soft tofu with peas, carrots, dried pepper flakes in a brown sauce. Noel F. Williams had the Mongolian Beef, with beef, white and green onions in a somewhat sweet sauce served over a bed of rice noodles. Noel asked for his meal to be prepared spicy and the dish was not as hot as he would have liked.

Lunch specials come with crisp, fried vegetarian spring rolls and rice. Jasmine rice is served though brown and friend rice are available upon request.

Ma Po Tufu and Mongolian Beef

Ma Po Tufu and Mongolian Beef at Chen Chinese Cuisine in Lake in the Hills, McHenry County

 

We also order soup with our lunch. Noel had a bowl of the egg drop soup. I ordered the vegetable soup with tofu, mushrooms and broccoli in vegetarian broth. My soup came in a large serving bowl with a ladle which I used to fill my bowl.

At the end of our meal the bill was served with a couple of traditional fortune cookies.

“The restaurant opened on January 26” said Owner Ming Chen, “and we have seen a surge in business. This location is more visible to existing and new customers who are driving by or shopping locally.”

Chen Chinese Cuisine Lake in the Hills, McHenry County

Chen Chinese Cuisine on Randall Road in Lake in the Hills, McHenry County

 

Chen Chinese Cuisine is open daily.
270 N. Randall Road
Lake in the Hills, IL 60156
847-458-8000

Chen Chinese Cuisine on Urbanspoon
Chens King Wok Restaurant on Foodio54

Hobby Fans RC Racing at HobbyTown USA

Radio control car fans are racing for action at the new RC car track in McHenry County. HobbyTown customers are excited about the store’s move from Crystal Lake to Lake in the Hills, Illinois.

"Where Are You Today?" visits HobbyTown USA LITH

“Where Are You Today?” visits HobbyTown USA LITH. Photo credit @noelfwilliams

The new location for this toy and hobby store features an indoor track. Racers told me this is a big improvement over the previous location. The track was outdoors and only used when the weather was dry. The warmer indoor track makes winter racing more pleasant.
Racing 4

“This car goes approximately 25 to 30 miles an hour depending on the battery, gearing and motor,” said Matt, one of the racers. When I asked how much a RC car cost, Matt continued, “I have about $1,000 invested in this car. Though you could put another couple hundred on it if you wanted to.”

For information on the store, practice and racing hours for the track, visit HobbyTown online or on Facebook.

Click on the image below to view this episode of “Where Are You Today?” and see the cars and racers in action.

R/C Car Bible: How to Build, Tune and Drive Electric and Nitro-Powered

R/C Car Bible: How to Build, Tune and Drive Electric and Nitro-Powered

Spotlight McHenry County Illinois Business

We will highlight selected McHenry County, Illinois businesses on this blog over the next several weeks. Located in northwest Illinois, McHenry County is a diverse blend of retail, wholesale, manufacturing and agricultural business.

Woodstock is the country seat. Housing options range from in-town condominiums to single family homes on large lots to rural homes and farms.

McHenry County includes these Northern Illinois suburbs, cities or villages and unincorporated areas.
* Algonquin
* Barrington Hills
* Cary
* Crystal Lake
* Fox Lake
* Fox River Grove
* Greenwood
* Harvard
* Hebron
* Huntley
* Island Lake
* Johnsburg
* Lake in the Hills
* Lakemoor
* Lakewood
* Marengo
* McHenry
* Oakwood Hills
* Port Barrington
* Prairie Grove
* Richmond
* Ringwood
* Spring Grove
* Trout Valley
* Wonder Lake
* Woodstock
* Unincorporated McHenry county

Adding these cities based on reader input
* Alden
* Big Foot
* Chemung

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*** Additions to the list: Thanks to David for sharing this information:

The 200 or so residents of Alden, Illinois may feel a bit slighted. Alden is at the intersection of Rte 173 and County Hwy 1, between Hebron and Harvard. Big Foot is another McHenry Co. community, at the intersection of State Line Road and route 14 north of Harvard. It is in Wisconsin and Illinois. Chemung is a small community on route 173 west of Harvard.

My apologies to Alden, Big Foot and Chemung for omitting them from the list above. Before writing this article, I contacted the McHenry County Webmaster to be sure I had all the municipalities. This was the response I received.

RE: Cities in McHenry County

Please refer to:

http://www.co.mchenry.il.us/Pages/Links.aspx

Lists all the websites for all the Villages/Cities in McHenry County…Thanks..

I wonder if McHenry County knows you guys are there in Alden, Big Foot and Chemung……