Barre Las Vegas™ opened its Town Square studio in December for 2009 and Summerlin studio in July of 2010. Owners Sue Harragan and Tawnya Christian bring the perfect blend of knowledge and experience to their studios. Both fitness enthusiasts, they share an energy and passion for the barre workout and will keep your heart-pumping and coming back for more.
Sue Harragan discovered this technique in Los Angeles and was instantly hooked. With a busy lifestyle, Sue was looking for a great total body workout and found the perfect match with the barre workout. The muscle building and toning combined with cardio gave Sue results she could really see. After a recent move to Nevada Sue realized there was an amazing opportunity to bring the barre workout to Las Vegas. Sue's entrepreneurial spirit and passion for the barre workout inspired her to open Barre Las Vegas™. Always a fitness enthusiast, Sue began extensive training of the barre workout both in LA and New York and also holds personal and group fitness training certifications. You'll find that Sue's meticulous attention to form and the barre technique will ensure Barre Las Vegas students have an experience that is addicting while seeing impressive body-changing results.
Tawnya Christian grew up in Waverly, Nebraska where from a young age she was constantly involved in organized athletics including competitive gymnastics, track, golf and tennis. She graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University with a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration and went on to earn her Masters Degree in Marketing Communications from the University of Southern California. After graduating from USC, she worked in the advertising and marketing industry while continuing to pursue her passion for health and fitness by participating in several half-marathons. While visiting New York City in 2009, Tawnya took her first barre class and was instantly addicted. She not only loved the immediate changes she saw in her body, but also admired the superior mind-body connection the workout provided. Soon after discovering barre in New York, Tawnya enrolled as a student at Barre Las Vegas where she not only witnessed dramatic changes in her own physique, but also observed the positive physical and mental changes experienced by countless other students. Coupled with her passion for fitness and her marketing background, Tawnya’s desire to assist others in becoming their “best self” led her to excitedly accept the opportunity to become Co-Owner and President of Barre Las Vegas in September 2011. Tawnya looks forward to actively promoting the numerous benefits of barre to the Las Vegas community and beyond as she focuses on implementing Barre Las Vegas’ training certification and licensing programs. Tawnya will also assist students in achieving their fitness goals through serving as an instructor at both the Town Square and Summerlin studio locations.
What is the barre workout? Popular throughout the country, the barre workout has evolved over the years from the Lotte Berk Method and Callanetics. Barre Las Vegas’ features our MIXT barre class, the perfect blend of cardio along with muscle building, core toning and body slimming exercises mixed with orthopedic stretching. This unique total-body workout targets the arms, thighs, seat and core. The barre workout is a unique total-body workout method set to motivating and upbeat music. Focused on precise movements to strengthen the muscle followed by orthopedic stretching to lean out the muscle, the results are impressive. The barre workout has evolved over the years from the Lotte Berk Method and Callanetics. Using fat-burning interval training principles, the results are a lean, flexible, healthy body. Each class follows the same format but with the hundreds of exercises variations, no two classes should ever be the same. There isn't any choreography and flexibility is not required to enjoy this class!
What do you do in a barre class? Classes begin with a basic warm up then focus on building the upper body strength and muscles using light weights. The class progresses to the barre for stretching before the thigh, hamstring and seat work. Throughout the class, muscles are pushed to exhaustion then followed by a series of stretches to lengthen and stretch out the worked muscles. You might also find push-ups and planks intermittently throughout the class. The class concludes on the floor for the abdominal series and back-dancing followed by final stretches. The ballet bar is used for support while straps, balls and foam are used for variations and extra challenges.
How effective is it and how long does it take to see results? This workout is extremely effective if done consistently. Many students do lose weight but others find that their body changes so that they lose body size. As you build muscle and burn fat in class you'll see that your muscles are getting firmer, leaner and toned.
To see noticeable changes in your body, we recommend that you take class at least 3-5 times per week.
Some new clients notice a 'lift' in their seat or fullness in their thighs and think they are getting bigger. However, don't get discouraged as your body is changing for the better! As you continue taking class your muscles will burn away the inter-muscular fat and leave you with long, lean muscles and a slimmer appearance. For this reason it can take up to six months to see really noticeable results in your body. Once you've achieved your desired physique it's good to maintain your shape by attending class 2-3 times per week. The barre workout is a great compliment of many other fitness regimes, especially yoga and cycling. At Barre Las Vegas, we are happy to offer our core Barreology classes in addition to our cycle based classes (Cycleology) in our Summerlin location and TRX, Zumba and yoga in our Town Square location. At Barre Las Vegas, you’ll face physical challenges, but will leave calm and collected, facilitating the perfect mind-body connection.
Why has it become so popular and do you see this trend taking off in Las Vegas and why? The barre workout has become effective due to the large array of exercises within the technique and the incredible results seen from it. A lean, strong and toned body is one many people strive for and with this technique, not only do you see these results but you most likely had fun creating them. With the number of different exercises within the technique, you will never take the same barre class twice.
Can anyone do the barre workout? Yes the barre workout is safe and effective workout. Dance experience, grace and flexibility is not necessary or required even though many of the movements are ballet-inspired. The small class size provides a comfortable environment where students are encouraged to go at their own pace or are challenged to advance. Modifications will be given as needed. Pregnant, post-natal or at risk clients must have written approval from their doctor. We ask that pregnant women who have not taken a barre class before wait until after their birth to start taking class. The barre workout is excellent for post-natal shaping up and we offer a special new-mom package!
Can you modify exercises for people with previous injuries? Yes and many chiropractors recommend the barre workout since it's not stressful on the joints and incorporates therapeutic stretching. Since the class is non-impact you won't find the typical elements of a jumping or bouncing cardio class that often result in injuries.
Is there a beginning, intermediate and advanced level for this technique? We offer a variety of MIXT barre classes which are for all levels. However, Club Barre is only for experienced clients and first-timers are not allowed as it moves at a faster pace.
Are all the classes the same or will they be different each time you go? The class format is always the same but there are hundreds of different variations of the exercises so no two classes should ever be exactly the same. That's what keeps the MIXT barre workout so fresh! We offer a selection of MIXT barre classes to keep you on your toes (literally)!
What do I need to wear to class? Be sure to wear comfortable yet form-fitting workout clothes so you (and the instructors) can ensure that your posture, alignment and form are correct for optimal results. Long pants or pants that cover at least your thighs are suggested to keep your muscles warm during the exercises. In addition socks are required. The best socks to use have 'sticky' grips on the bottom so that your foot can stay firmly attached on the barre when needed. We sell Crescent Moon grip socks in the boutique.
What do students need to bring to class? Everything you will need is provided except water, which is also sold in the boutique. We use light weights and do multiple repetitions to build long lean muscles and not bulk up.
Sometimes we use balls or foam for a variation, extra challenge and support. We also stretch using mats and straps.
How long is each class? Each class is one hour (with the exception of Spin classes, which are 45 minutes followed by a 5 minute restorative stretch). Private and Semi-Private sessions are also available.
What classes do you offer? We offer an assortment of MIXT barre classes to shake things up a little. In addition to our traditional MIXT Barre class, we offer different versions of the barre class called Classic Barre, Power Barre, Sport and Sculpt and Floor-Core Barre. These classes use the fundamentals of the traditional barre class but add in different elements like weights or more floor work to challenge you even further. In Town Square we also offer TRX, Zumba and Yoga. In Summerlin we also offer Cycling.
What is the cost of a class? Do you have packages and if so what is the cost? A single class is $20 unless you buy a package, then the price per class goes down. All new clients will be offered a one-time $99 month unlimited special, and locals are offered an intro week for just $25 (local ID required). Yoga and Zumba class are just $10 (Town Square location only).
What are your hours? Our Town Square location is open Monday through Friday 8:30am-11am then 4pm-8pm. Saturday hours are 8:30am-1:30pm, and Sundays are 8:30am-11:30am. We proudly feature lululemon athletica and other fitness related merchandise in the Town Square Boutique. Our Summerlin location varies by the day, depending on the class schedule. Please check the on-line scheduler for class times.