Christine Keller

In November of 2024, Sweat Zone opened its doors to the public for the first time. Christine Keller, a native of Aberdeen, South Dakota, is the powerhouse behind the city’s first hot fitness studio—offering a wide range of classes, from Pilates and HIIT to yoga, cycling, stretching, and more.

Raised in Aberdeen and a proud graduate of Roncalli High School, Christine initially pursued mass communications at the University of South Dakota before earning a degree in recreation. Movement had always been central to her life—she began dancing at age four and stayed active in sports throughout her youth.

After college, Christine devoted 16 years to raising her four sons as a stay-at-home mom. During that time, she understood firsthand the importance of making space for movement and self-care—especially for those constantly pouring into others. As her kids grew older, she began reconnecting with fitness, first as a personal outlet and eventually as a profession.

Christine also recognized a gap in the Aberdeen fitness community: there was no hot studio. So, she created one.

Why does a city like Aberdeen need a hot studio? According to Christine, working out in a heated space helps prepare the body more effectively—it warms up muscles, reduces the risk of injury, and boosts flexibility, endurance, and calorie burn. “It gets your body ready to go,” she explains. “And it just takes the workout to another level.”

Clients can purchase passes through the Vigaro app, giving them access to a full schedule of classes led by 21 trained instructors. With offerings like HIIT, yoga, stretching, cycling, and Christine’s favorite—Pilates—there’s something for every fitness level and preference. The instructors, who range from teaching one class a week to six, bring a wide array of styles, personalities, and expertise into the space.

And while Sweat Zone may be new, it runs like a seasoned operation. Its polished structure, packed schedule, and seamless client experience make it feel like a long-standing fixture in Aberdeen’s health and wellness scene. Time management, multitasking, community-building, empathy—these are the building blocks of motherhood, but also the foundation of a thriving small business.

Christine teaches at least two classes a day and stays deeply involved in the daily rhythm of the studio. Her mission is simple: to create a space where people feel welcomed, supported, and empowered. The response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive. Christine’s family is proud—especially her oldest son, who’s taken a strong interest in the studio’s growth. Friends and former colleagues say it feels like Sweat Zone has always been here.

But what Christine built didn’t come out of nowhere. It was shaped by years of quiet preparation—by long days and longer nights raising a family, by countless hours spent pouring into others. Now, she’s created a space where people are encouraged to pour back into themselves.

“Self-care is not selfish,” Christine reminds everyone who walks through the door. “Be willing to try new things. It doesn’t have to be scary. Just find a space that supports you—and that’s what Sweat Zone is here to be.”