Hip Circle Studio

We had our one-year-old’s birthday party at Hip Circle Studio today. A HUGE HIT! We had the whole party there and we could not be more grateful to Malik for an amazing dance session with all of the kids. Little ones ranged in age from one year to six years and all had a great time. Parents got into it as well. Many fun props and great music.
Thanks Malik! Highly recommend!

I love this place! I got a good vibe from the owner/​teacher Malik the first time I came for the baby Sing & Sign class. The place is very welcoming and offers fitness classes that are actually FUN! I do not like gyms and mostly have attended yoga, dance, or cardio classes at studios. Today I took a great Zumba class with Rachel and Malik had Childcare all lined up in the room next door! Very affordable and convenient for moms that want to work out outside of a gym. I love that this place really gets what their students want and need and I also love how encouraging the teachers are. I recommend!

Belly Dance classes with healthy nurturing to keep you moving and doing it using the correct form. Kick-​butt Moxie Boxing. Yoga from exceptional teachers. Plus family-​based classes. In a sit-​down world, Hip Circle keeps you moving and exemplifies great attitudes toward movement. No competition. Malik — owner and dancer superb — says do not say «I can’t do it.» Lovely spirited attitude that encourages everyone to have fun as well as seek to learn something new or perfect something well-​known. And, for dancers: the dance floor is great. Malik helped me feel confident about getting back to dancing. Also, there is always street parking available for those who must drive. I come in from Chicago for the classes — Malik is that good!

Malik and her fellow instructors are committed to your health in a creative way! Plus, her space is really cool…

While I love attending classes at Hip Circle Studio myself, this review is especially in honor of the teen classes there. My middle-​school-​aged daughter has been taking Teen Bellydance all year (it’s open to girls between 6^th and 12^th grade), and it’s been fantastic. She has really come into a sense of her body in this class, learning to move gracefully and with attention to all the many beautiful things about movement, from her toes to her fingertips. This is for a child who is NOT a dancer, never studied dance in any serious way, and took this class mostly because we had met and really loved the teacher, not because she was particularly attracted to bellydance.
Since starting to take this class, my daughter has become more open to other types of movement and physical activity, and intends to begin taking teen yoga next year. It even gave her the confidence to take an adult bellydance class one week when the teen class had been postponed!
This studio is really a special place for women of all ages. As an alternative to all the other physical activities offered to girls (sports, traditional dance, etc.), I encourage moms of tweens and teens to consider some of the offerings here — either for your tween/​teen alone, or to do with her, together, as your schedules allow. It’s a drop-​in set up, so it really could not be more flexible. My daughter and I really enjoy this place!

I credit Hip Circle Studio and its owner, Malik, for helping me lose 30 lbs and gain its equivalent in confidence!
My first introduction to HCS was when attending a Meetup there, and I felt so welcomed by Malik and the sunny, comfortable studio that I decided to try group exercise for the first time in nearly 20 years. A long-​ago devotee of aerobics classes, I was anxious to work out in front of mirrors and people in my non-​fancy excuse for exercise clothes.
However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the small class size was friendly and inclusive, and while it may take a few tries to get the steps down for Zumba, Malik’s style reflects all of the fun of classic Zumba without making it feel like a strange, forced-​fun fake party. I felt so high after my first class that I became rather addicted, and within a few months, I became a full member and got into bellydance and even burlesque workshops.
Over the course of a year, I did indeed lose 30 pounds, and met incredible women with whom I’ve become close friends. The studio has since doubled in size and greatly increased its offerings, but the community aspect remains. I have not been able to attend classes recently due to personal reasons, but I miss my workouts there and hope to get back ASAP. I’ve never seen such great results from exercise — while having so much fun — in my life.
If you question whether or not it’s a great place, just try a class and/​or talk to the other people there — and ask about the other instructors. Most of them are women with whom I used to attend class, who became so devoted to the programs that they went through certification to teach, themselves!
(Oh, in addition to the workout options, check out the variety of workshops and Meetups, especially the Founding Moms Meetup for women business owners.)

I have been going to Hip Circle Studio for almost 2 years. I do not have the body shape you typically see at the gym and I always felt uncomfortable when I went to one and this contributed to low attendance. Hip Circle is a comfortable friendly environment for any women who wants to be more physically active. The classes are fun, not large and vary enough that I don’t get bored. All the instructors will help you get the most out of every class at whatever fitness level you are currently. My favorite class is Belly Dance, it is what started me with Malik and itbis what keeps me coming back. I have also taken Zumba, Cardiobelly (cardio version of belly dance), Yoga, Pilates and several other classes and I recommend them all.. There are classes during the day and evening to accommodate different schedules. If you are looking for a place to help you live a healthier lifestyle this is the community you should join.

Went to a fun workshop here, I love the small, personal feeling. Very relaxed, which was wonderful because I am NOT in shape at all and was nervous about going in with my friend, who is a regular here and at a much better fitness level than I am! I would definitely recommend this place. Easy access from the Main street purple line station! I wish I didn’t live so far :(

I found Hip Circle about 4-​ish months ago and haven’t looked back. The place has everything I need: a monthly package, a variety of classes, awesome prices (I can afford it on a student salary), and best of all is the truly great collection of instructors. Everyone is very encouraging, and always careful to tailor each class to account for all levels. :)
Honestly, if you live in the area, it’s the nicest thing you can do for yourself. This place is friendly, gets you hopping, and most importantly, SUPER fun!

Hip Circle is the epitome of why you should support small businesses. I love the personalized feel of the pilates classes — there is that no judgement rule where you have your beginners and you have your more advanced people in the class. They offer some fabulous workshops and groups including the Founding Moms group.
I’ve done babywearing Zumba, family Zumba, Dance with me Toddler, and pilates here and each class has been just great. Parking is easy to find on the streets and free in addition to the great updated space which has two studios and if you sign up for a membership, there are canvas shelf boxes to put your stuff in. They also offer CPR workshops at a really good price, too.

I first tried out Hip Circle Studio using a Groupon. After the first Zumba class I took, I knew I would return. Being new to Zumba I thought I’d be embarrassed because I didn’t know the right moves or that I would not be able to keep up with the experienced or younger participants. It doesn’t matter what you look like, how good or bad you are, you are there because Malik, the owner and instructor, makes it fun. She puts you at ease, explains how each movement affects the different parts of your body, and encourages you to work at your own pace — not hers or any one else’s. She and her other instructors are patient, skilled and not intimidating.
I appreciate that you can sign up for classes and workshops on line and cancel if you need to 4 hours before the class. The website is great because it gives a general description of each class. With it’s monthly specials, it makes it affordable to try new classes. I thought I’d like belly dance, but after trying it, realized I didn’t, so I tried something new. Pilates Mat is an excellent class that I have learned to enjoy.
Another great thing is that email reminders are sent out a couple days before the class. This is a great tool for those of us that have busy schedules and forget.
Overall, I would highly recommend Hip Circle Studio because of the variety of classes, excellent instructors, great facilities (clean and bright), website access to classes with your own personal class history and most of all because you are having fun getting healthy!

It’s a pretty simple formula. Create a welcoming and supportive atmosphere for fitness, wellness, and community for women and families. Include a wide range of fitness, parenting, wellness classes from the obscure, Hula-​Hooping & Piloxing, to Yoga & Circuit Training. Result? — Hip Circle Studio. Malik has created the best possible scenario for women of all ages, experiences, and abilities to have fun, get fit and feel amazing. It is because of Hip Circle that I have lost two sizes within 6 months without even thinking about it. Yoga, Zumba, Pilates, Cardio, Circuit and more. It’s my second home. It should be yours. Come join us. What are you waiting for?

I took my first class at Hip Circle Studio after watching (and participating in) a Belly Dance performance at the Custer street fair in June. I took my first class, Zumba with Anna, the following week and have been going back ever since. The environment is welcoming and classes are challenging.
I have tried many of the classes (Zumba, Bellydance Basefusion, a belly dance with zils workshop, Cardio-​a-​go-​go, Cardio Onetwo, Hula Hooping, and yoga) and have enjoyed them all. The teachers are professional and engaging, and I look forward to seeing them each week.
Malik has created a welcoming community at Hip Circle Studio. I always leave class with a smile on my face!

I traveled up to Evanston and Hip Circle for a Heart Saver CPR workshop. It was less expensive, and done in a shorter amount of time than local hospital classes, and I love to support other small business owners. Plus it gave me another reason to go to Evanston! Malik is a wonderful instructor and presenter. Her quick wit and humorous style made my routine re-​certification fun, informative and fast!

It seems like people either write reviews when they are really good or really bad. Sorry to be the first bad review. I would give them a zero if I could, but I can’t — so read on!
Just to be clear– this review is based on communication with Hip Circle Studio as I never made it to the actual class!
As a frequent user of Groupons, I have never had a problem until now. Upon trying to turn this groupon in (yes I did wait to the last week due to foot surgery) I found that this studio put many extra rules into the fine print when trying to redeem. Not only did they make up their own rules and exclusions, but they also went against their word, twice. I like to spend my money at places that are well run and can go with the flow. When my schedule changed and I needed to change the dates that they forced me to schedule, they simply refused and stated that I must stick to the original schedule that I submitted (note– these dates are at least 2 weeks in advance). seriously?
I hope that those of you that take classes here enjoy them, but I will never step foot in this place and will tell others in my neighborhood to avoid them as well. I will be spending my money at a studio that wants new clients to come back!

I like to tell myself I do more than just eat… which is why I’m happy to post a review of Hip Circle Studio in Evanston. Its Web site seemed to be focused on «mommy and me» classes. Without children, I wasn’t sure that I’d be totally welcomed. I focused on zumba classes, since that seemed geared toward ladies sans kiddies. Zumba itself is pretty ridiculous. However, you can burn up to 600 calories within 1 hour, which is fantastic. If I try working out on the elliptical, I can max out at 40 minutes. I need someone watching me for motivation. I have done Zumba before, but I decided to try it out at a new place.
The owner and instructor were there before class started (although I’m pretty sure the owner teaches the majority of classes). Registrants can pre-​register online, which is what I would recommend since the night classes fill up quickly. The instructor asked the owner who she was waiting for before she began class, and the owner responded, «You’re waiting for 8:30 pm.» She explained that we were going to start on time no matter what. I appreciated that because my time is valuable (to me), and someone else being late should not eat up my time.
The hour went by fast, although I checked the time on my way out and it was only 9:23 pm, including stretching and cool down. At $ 15 per class, I want my full hour! The workout space itself is extremely small, and I was working out near the front door and window some of the time, but it seemed to work okay. During one song in particular, I wanted to yell, «My hips don’t move that way!» The music selection was pretty good, too. (I was particularly excited about Beyonce’s «Check on It» which was also my ringtone for about 3 years). I didn’t feel out of place or anything since there weren’t any children around. I am definitely going to buy a 5-​pack of classes for $ 60 (which is like saving $ 15 or getting 1 class for free).

I did not know that taking a fitness class could be so fun!
This place is so welcoming and non-​judgmental that I felt instantly unintimidated. I actually look forward to my weekly Cardio Boxing class which is something I never thought I’d say.
Yeah for Malik and her instructors creating a fun, safe, empowering space to get your exercise on!

I attend Malik’s Zumba class on Monday and Wednesday nights. I love the fact she has a later than normal class (8:30pm), not many places do and it totally accomodates my work schedule.
Malik also makes Zumba fun and not like exercise at all — I recommend taking this class!