Whether you’re a Pilates princess or just enjoy a cursory scroll of TikTok, you’ve probably at the very least heard of Lagree. It’s a high-intensity, low-impact, and full-body workout that utilises endurance, strength training and cardio, performed on a machine known as the Megaformer. That might sound a bit scary, but it’s a buzzy workout phenomenon that has people all over the FYP declaring it delivers serious results. Reformer titans, hardcore HIIT-ers – this one’s for you, too.
I’ve been a Pilates devotee for some years now, specifically reformer Pilates. I sustained a shoulder injury during a particularly intense HIIT class, and could no longer do the burpees and thrusters with 25-pound weights with such short breaks in between. During my recovery, I still wanted to do group workout classes, but felt that practices such as yoga were a little too slow for me.
Pilates came up as an option while I was surfing Reddit. It’s an exercise that emphasises core strength, flexibility, and alignment, but besides that, I found that Pilates transformed my perspective on exercise and my own body. I learnt about the importance of breath, your mind-body connection, and that slow movements didn’t equate to low intensity, I committed and saw results. Plus, I carried myself differently, noticing that the shoulder pain faded, and my neck looked longer. I felt more mindful and conscious of my body, and was able to track my progress because the exercises and machines are so modifiable. From then on, I was hooked.
So, when I started getting Instagram explore page shots with a Megaformer in dimly lit, boujie studios that could be either in Brooklyn or Bali, I assumed it was a trussed-up version of reformer Pilates. Well, I was wholly incorrect. Founded in Los Angeles and patented by founder Sebastien Lagree in 2006, the Lagree vs Pilates comparisons and debate go far beyond the machines and the beats of a class. “People are seeking strength-based workouts for their health and longevity,” says Elissa El Hadj, founder of the Lagree studio FORM. “The genius of Lagree is the combining of mindful movement with high-intensity strength training. The perfect marriage for an optimally functioning body and nervous system, as well as a stellar-looking physique.”
Below, Sebastien Lagree himself and more experts in the Lagree method break down the practice, the benefits, and the biggest differences between Lagree and reformer Pilates.
Everything you need to know about Lagree
“I used to teach Pilates, but my clients weren’t getting the results they wanted,” Lagree says. “So I created my own method to get the results that Pilates wasn’t achieving. In my opinion, Pilates is neither a body sculpting exercise nor a physical workout. It’s rehabilitation,” he continues.
Lagree believes that Pilates is effective when it comes to injury recovery, back pain, and improving body mechanics. Because of its controlled, low-impact movements, it strengthens your core and improves flexibility. But Lagree has other focuses.
“Lagree is an integrated workout combining strength and endurance,” he explains. “The aim is to develop muscle density and reduce bulk. Lagree uses specific training techniques such as time under tension, isokinetics and isometrics.”
“Precise attention is paid to correct form and alignment, pace and tempo, breathing, sequencing, and scaling, to ensure that a client is challenged at their own pace,” says El Hadj. When teaching at his West Hollywood and Malibu studios, El Hadj often had the Hilton sisters, Kardashians, NFL players, Victoria’s Secret models, Nicole Kidman, and more in her class. Currently, she’s spearheading the movement for Lagree in the UK.
Across 50 minutes, “mindful movement” is paired with high-intensity strength training. This looks like slow resistance training on the Megaformer (which El Hadj describes as a reformer machine with “more bells and whistles”) to build full-body strength, balance, and endurance. Common moves include high reps of squats and lunges, and moves that induce serious shakes, like kneeling crunches and inchworms, and a killer full body movement called “scrambled eggs”, where you extend one leg to the side and sweep it back while keeping the core stable.
According to Lagree, with some long-term commitment you can expect to experience strengthening, firming, and muscle toning. “Lagree builds lean muscle, improves core strength, increases flexibility, and burns fat,” say Nour and Mona of MAD Lagree.
“It’s a low-impact workout, [that] is so gentle on one’s joints, that you can attend class five days per week,” El Hadj says. “Ideal for both rookies as well as seasoned practitioners and pro athletes.”
El Hadj says that, rather than elevating cortisol and spiking adrenaline like many high-intensity classes, Lagree has a more calming and meditative effect while working your body. “The slow tempo exercises demand focus, body awareness and precision,” adds El Hadj. “Turning inwards is vital for mental and physical development.” You’re basically body and brain training at the same time.
“Depending on the percentage of body fat, results can be seen after three sessions,” Lagree claims. “The ideal routine starts with 20 to 30 minutes of integrated exercises for the legs, followed by 10 minutes of integrated exercises for the obliques, then 10 minutes of integrated exercises for the arms.” El Hadj agrees. “Due to the intensity, it yields very fast results,” she says, adding: “It’s a highly addictive workout, so many of our clients attend 3-5 times per week. It’s a full-body workout with a central focus on the core, so every class focuses on strength, balance, posture, flexibility, cardio and endurance.”
There are a range of machines for performing Lagree: the micro, mini, mega and evo. “The micro is light and portable and can be used anywhere. At the other end of the scale is the mega, which is a real powerhouse. No machine is better than another,” says Lagree. When booking a class, you can inquire about the kind of machine the studio uses – and if you’re new there, you’ll get an induction to show you how to use it.
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What are the main differences between Lagree and reformer Pilates?
Reformer Pilates is practised on a reformer machine, originally designed by Joseph Pilates, the creator of Pilates. The reformer machine sits low to the ground and features a sliding platform, straps, pulleys, and a spring-based resistance system attached to a long, box-like frame. Many reformers are made of wood or metal and feature front and back platforms as well as handles and foot bars.
The first and main difference between Lagree and Pilates lies in the machine. Lagree says to think of the reformer as a rehabilitation machine, with many exercises designed to be performed lying on the back. The Megaformer, which Lagree uses, is a “fitness machine”. Both reformer and Megaformer machines utilise spring-based resistance, but you’ll notice straight away that a Megaformer is much bigger in comparison – it’s ergonomic, with both front and back platforms and handles to allow for more of a variety of exercises. “Think of it like the Rolls-Royce of machines,” says El Hadj. The reformer, in comparison, only features a footbar and less customisable spring settings.
“Pilates is slower and more rehabilitative, while Lagree is more intense, dynamic, and results-driven, with no rest between moves and greater muscle burn,” confirm Nour and Mona of MAD Lagree.
In terms of the class patterns and routines, for a direct comparison, Lagree is largely focused on more muscularly intense exercises (isometric work, where muscle fatigue is the goal). It also integrates non-impact cardio and higher intensity fitness movements like squats, lunges and planks, as well as slow, continuous movements. Transitions between exercises are also much quicker than on the reformer, meaning you have less time to rest and more time to sweat.
“Time under tension” is a main feature of Lagree. “The longer the muscle is challenged and burns, the deeper the muscle engagement, which means greater definition and strength,” says El Hadj. In classical and reformer Pilates, you don’t work to muscle failure.
Ready to book your first beginner class? Make sure to arrive early to get a walk-through with your Lagree instructor, bring your grippy socks, take it slow, and stay hydrated.