For those who haven’t experienced HOTTR yet, how would you describe the experience to a newcomer?

HOTTR is an infrared heated group workout designed by Hot HIIT Creator Monique Crous. She has created programming that is all conducted in the hot room with HIIT, balance, strength, and Pilates, so you can do something different every day. True cross training.  Never get bored. Everything you need for a full workout is provided, sometimes requiring a wait for a band, a ball, or a ring. Each workout is meticulously planned by Monique, but they remain fresh and new because the structure stays the same while allowing for swaps in and out of exercises, ensuring a unique and enjoyable experience. The workouts are accompanied by great music, and the environment is dark and barefoot, creating an exciting and immersive atmosphere.

HOTTR truly makes you feel like a D1 athlete, and you don’t have to be one to participate. It’s a workout for everyone. If you’re willing to step into a hot room and give it a try, that’s all you need to do. Honestly, this is all you need for the rest of your life.

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What was it about HOTTR that made you want to bring the concept to South Florida?

South Florida has been part of my life for almost 40 years — I've lived here at different times, I went to Rollins College, and my first job was at The Breakers. As a family, we've had a house here for many, many years. Florida is home. I love the people, I love the vibe, and I wanted to share HOTTR with them. We found this great building with tons of parking and a totally central location, and it just felt like the thing to do. Monique was open to it, and here we are... 

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You wear many hats — fitness studio owner, real estate entrepreneur, and mom of eight! How do you find balance in your day-to-day?

People ask me that all the time when they hear I have eight kids. I'm an only child, so the big family is something I waited for my whole life. We roll with all the craziness! You have to be organized, but you also have to let things happen as they happen. As for juggling it all, I have an incredible husband and we support each other. We've evolved in our roles as life is cyclical and things are always changing. Over the last twenty-five years, we've figured out who needs to do what, and we do it.  It’s moment-to-moment, always asking for God’s grace and will, not my own, and trusting that it'll get done.

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HOTTR has quickly built a loyal following. How would you describe the community that has formed inside your studio?

It's welcoming, it's community, and it's one of the best workouts I've ever done — Monique designed it. It's not performative. It's genuinely about being HOTTR from the inside out, detoxing while you're pushing yourself, and feeling like a super athlete. You leave positive, and you get all the benefits of what the infrared is doing on top of it. It's addictive, honestly, and I think that's because it's real — and truth prevails. Monique has dedicated her life to this, and I'm just happy to be a part of it. If you're willing to try the hot room, we want to be your place. We want to be your favorite workout.

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You're a big champion of Lake Worth. What excites you most about the city's growth?

None of this happened overnight,  this community and West Palm Beach has been built by visionaries and neighbors over decades. We get to enjoy what other people spent 50 years working toward. What excites us is that it's not just about Palm Beach island it's this whole area, and we want to be part of it. This is our first HOTTR, and we hope for more — a little north, a little south, maybe even an island pop-up someday.

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A favorite local business you're always recommending to visitors (or other locals!)?

What drew me to Lake Worth Beach in the first place was the artistic community. To me, Lake Worth Beach is what Brooklyn is to Manhattan. Artist and gallery owner Melissa DelPrete’s MTN Space Gallery sealed the deal for me. The gallery, the scene, the local artists - I loved all of it. We're so excited about Oceano, too.

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When you need a moment to yourself, where do you go to recharge?

HOTTR of course! We even offer a class called Recharge. Also, I love visiting Sacred Heart Church in Lake Worth Beach. They're so welcoming, and they have an amazing women's group and women's business group. It's such a cool community.

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What are you most excited about for HOTTR over the next year?

Watching the HOTTR community keep growing — the friendships that start between instructors and clients, clients with clients, people meeting people they never would have otherwise. It all starts with our HOTTR team. Seeing that continue to grow is so exciting!!!!