If the warmer weather, longer days and shorter sleeves weren’t enough, a fitness center in South Whitehall Township wants to help put a little more spring in your step.
Orangetheory Fitness, a fitness franchise with more than 1,000 locations worldwide, on March 29 held a grand opening of its first Lehigh Valley studio at 4713 Tilghman St. (next to the shuttered Kmart).
The Boca Raton, Fla., chain offers one-hour, full body workouts that change daily and are focused on endurance, strength and power for people of all fitness levels.
Gyms offer a high-energy atmosphere with orange lighting, motivational coaches and heart rate-based interval training, “which burns more calories postworkout” than traditional exercise, membership adviser Megan Woods said.
The goal of the workouts is to spend 12-30 minutes in the “orange zone,” with intensities of at least 84% of your maximum heart rate, in order to achieve excess postexercise oxygen consumption.
“You’re able to burn more calories postworkout — up to 36 hours after you leave the studio,” Woods said. “Who doesn’t want to burn calories when they’re not working out?”
Orangetheory offers group classes led by certified fitness coaches that feature a maximum of 26 members per session, Woods said.
More than 22,000 workouts incorporate treadmills, water rowers and functional equipment such as Bosu balance trainers, medicine balls and TRX suspension trainers.
A popular feature is Orangetheory’s heart-rate monitoring technology, OTbeat.
By wearing a device on your wrist, forearm, bicep or chest, you can see real-time data such as calories burned and heart beats per minute on wall-mounted screens and treadmill-mounted tablets.
Classes, which can be reserved through an app, cost $8 to $28 a session, depending on your month-to-month membership package. Prospective members enjoy a free class.
The South Whitehall studio, open 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. most days, features three bathrooms, two shower rooms and a blow dry bar. Info: 610-366-0090.
Another fitness find
For people looking to get in shape in the Easton area, Slim Tone Build Fitness Center, offering cardio, strength and functional training, held a grand opening March 1 in the Park Plaza shopping center at 1800 Sullivan Trail.
Owner Gary Yates, who operated his facility for two years in Pennsburg, Montgomery County, offers gym memberships, where individuals can work out on their own, in addition to personal training. High-intensity training classes are set to begin in a few weeks.
The 2,400-square-foot facility is separated into two rooms: one with weight training and cardio machines such as treadmills, ellipticals and recumbent bikes; and another with free weights, punching bags and functional equipment such as kettle and medicine balls.
The center, which also carries JBN supplements, offers memberships at $20 a month with a yearlong commitment or $25 a month with no commitment. Info: 484-447-8147.
Indoor and outdoor fun
For people looking to stay active outdoors, Sittler Golf Center has teed off for a final season at its original facility near Kutztown.
The longstanding Maxatawny Township complex at 15475 Kutzown Road is expected to operate through December, according to Patty Kline, who operates the business with her husband, Rick.
Derek Zerfass of Colliers International’s Allentown office represented the Klines in the April 3 sale of the 14-acre property to TimTay Allentown LLC.
Plans for the site will likely include retail development but nothing official has been set, according to a Colliers news release.
The announcement follows the couple’s March 1 takeover of the former Pagoda Golf Area at 497 Mountain Home Road in South Heidelberg Township, Berks County.
“We were looking for a larger facility and we actually thought we’d be in Kutztown for a couple more years, but then it all just came together so quickly,” Patty Kline said of the second Sittler facility.
The Klines bought the original Sittler facility in 1993 and added a golf shop three years later.
In South Heidelberg, the Klines refurbished the golf shop and installed driving range mats. They’re planning other upgrades such as a short
game area and refurbished mini-golf course. Info: sittlergolf.com.
If golfing isn’t your cup of tea, maybe you’ll want to take a swing at an upcoming business in downtown Easton.
Skeggy’s Axe House, an indoor ax-throwing facility, is expected to open in late May at 42 Centre Square, co-owner Bob Shupp said.
“Downtown Easton is such a great place, but besides going out to eat or grabbing some drinks, there’s not much else to do,” Shupp said.
The 6,000-square-foot venue, near Family Dollar, will feature 20 ax-throwing lanes — where customers can play games such as blackjack or just throw axes at the bull’s-eye — along with other entertainment such as a pool table and dart board, Shupp said.
You’ll also be able to bring food and drinks, including beer and wine — but no hard liquor.
Coach-led instruction, detailing techniques and safety rules, will be included in pricing: around $30 per person per hour and $50 per person for two hours, Shupp said.
News of Skeggy’s follows last month’s report that Throw House, a Philadelphia-area indoor ax-throwing business, is planning to open a second location in mid-June at 240-4 S. West End Blvd., Quakertown.
Odds and ends
If you’re looking to give your home a facelift, Knobs ‘N Knockers, a decorative hardware business that originated 38 years ago at Peddler’s Village in Lahaska, Bucks County, is expected to open its second location in late June at 512 Main St. in downtown Bethlehem, co-owner David O’Neill said.
The upcoming store, next to Seasons Olive Oil & Vinegar Tap Room, will feature the craftsmanship of more than 500 artisans and manufacturers.
Customers will be able to shop bath hardware such as towel bars and shower rods; cabinet hardware such as knobs and pulls; door hardware such as deadbolts and peephole viewers; and home accents such as address plaques and fireplace screens.
More than 100 door knockers include animals such as dogs, lions and owls. Other merchandise includes mailboxes, switch plates and gifts such as birdbaths and bottle openers. Info: 215-794-8045.
Another business offering hardware is M&S Hardware, which scheduled a grand opening Saturday at 116 S. Second St. in Lehighton.
The store, which supplements a location in Tamaqua, is an independently owned member of the Do it Best Corp., an Indiana hardware, lumber and building materials cooperative.
The Lehighton store carries a wide assortment of items, including paint, hand and power tools, cleaning supplies, pipe fittings, lawn mowers, plant food, pet accessories and Vera Bradley bags. Info: mshardwareonline.com.
I’ll finish with another Lehighton business, Salon Indigo, which will hold a grand opening with refreshments and raffles, 3:30-5:30 p.m. May 4 at 191 S. First St., according to a news release.
The salon and spa, catering to men and women, offers haircuts, blowouts, color, highlights, bridal services, waxing, makeup application, lash extensions, facials, advance skin care procedures and massage therapy such as cupping and Himalayan stone massages.
Salon owner Christy Alexander previously managed her home salon for nine years. Info: salonindigopa.com.
Retail Watch, appearing every weekend, keeps track of retail and restaurant news in the Lehigh Valley. Contact Ryan Kneller at 610-820-6597 or retailwatch@mcall.com.