Bag+Barre kickboxing/health studio opens in Sewickley

A Sewickley couple has launched a brand new enterprise within the borough designed to assist individuals attain their health objectives and kick butt doing it.

The kickboxing studio Bag+Barre, owned by Mackenzie and Spencer Te’o, just lately opened at 551 Beaver St. close to the Verizon retailer.

The couple have lived on the town for a couple of decade and have been searching for a approach to convey their love of train and martial arts to the borough.

“We actually wished to serve the group nicely,” mentioned Mackenzie Te’o. “Sewickley is an extremely energetic and match city. We wished to spotlight the issues that they love and knew, and add one thing totally different and a bit extra enjoyable than the normal (health choices) that you simply discover right here in Sewickley.”

Mackenzie Te’o is the teacher/private coach. Her husband, who additionally owns close by manufacturing studio Surprisingly Dim, handles advertising and store design.

They’re additionally assisted by their 16-month-old daughter, Keala, who likes to placed on the gloves and play on the studio.

“She loves it right here,” Mackenzie Te’o mentioned.

Coaching the coach

Mackenzie Te’o studied at Prime Tier Fitness center in Ben Avon for years below the tutelage of undefeated fighter and Ohio Muay Thai champion Jaime Chesney.

“I took an all-female kickboxing class years in the past, and there’s fewer issues extra empowering than hitting one thing,” Mackenzie Te’o mentioned. “After I fell in love with it, I requested one of many feminine fighters there if she would prepare me. She taught me all I do know, after which I began educating lessons there.

“I actually wished to develop in my bodily well being and private health. I wished one thing that was a bit extra enjoyable than a conventional health club, and I wished to be surrounded by girls as nicely. … The ability that got here from that was irreplaceable.”

She mentioned Chesney’s teachings went past the mats.

“One of many best classes that Jaime taught me was to remain cool below stress,” Mackenzie Te’o mentioned. “She used to do these drills the place she would trigger excessive depth conditions for me, and I’d must discover ways to make fast sensible choices below stress. That has served me for years to come back.

“Whether or not that’s parenting or opening a health club, getting hit within the face — being cool below stress is the best reward she has given me.”

Particular studio

Bag+Barre is open to all genders. It mixes kickboxing on six-foot luggage with the firming and body-weight lifting barre fashion exercises.

Barre was described as a mixture of ballet and Pilates with small actions, excessive reps and small weights.

Members can observe their journey electronically as they exercise. Every barre station has an adjustable cellphone holder.

“When you could have proof of your progress, it motivates you to maintain coaching,” Spencer Te’o mentioned. “We knew once we wished to open up a health club, it was going to be extraordinarily necessary to offer individuals the chance for them to doc their progress.”

Resident Alyssa Highsmith is a buddy of the Te’os and was among the many first to enroll in lessons.

“The whole lot they do they do with excellence,” Highsmith mentioned. “I really like boxing, and thought that boxing and barre mixed was an superior idea. There’s nothing else prefer it that I’ve heard of.”

She mentioned Mackenzie is a wonderful teacher who needs everybody to succeed.

“She is extraordinarily motivating,” Highsmith mentioned. “I really feel like each time we’re doing one thing she’s all the time there encouraging you, cheering you on each step of the best way. The largest factor I can say is it’s so value stepping out of your consolation zone to attempt one thing new. That is positively a exercise class that’s going to empower you not solely as an individual, but in addition make it easier to towards your train objectives.”

Courses are 45 minutes and are scheduled for six a.m. and seven a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and seven p.m. Tuesday and Thursday and seven a.m. and eight a.m. Saturday.

Thursday’s 5 p.m. class is geared towards youths. Patrons may e book private coaching periods and personal lessons on the studio.

Extra data and sophistication registration is out there at bagandbarre.com.