Why You Should Add the Lagree Method to Your Fitness Routine

Since 2023, I've been experimenting to find an effective but comfortable fitness regime. Usually, I stick with the machines and create a personalized routine because I often feel uncomfortable with the fast-paced intensity of a class. But over the past few months, I've done my research to find inclusive and informative instructors and eventually fell in love with my usual Pilates class.

A few weeks ago, I learned about another type of exercise: Lagree. It's similar to Pilates but has a separate set of benefits. Since taking Pilates for so long, I thought, "Why not try something new?" I have the foundation of Pilates, so I wouldn't have to fear the possible embarrassment of being below the skill level amongst experts, as I felt in spin and Zumba classes.

The team at Lagree Fitness was kind enough to help me get set up to take the leap of faith in a new exercise style. Below, discover my review after a class at Resistance Chicago.

The Difference Between Pilates and Lagree

Pilates is a low-impact, low-intensity workout. In an introductory video, the Lagree founder, Sebastien Lagree, says Pilates "restores the body's natural balance." Lagree, instead, is high-intensity by highlighting core and muscular strength and endurance. In other words, your heart will be beating fast, and you'll be working up a sweat.

Lagree encourages effective form, range of motion, tempo, duration, tension, transition and planes of motion to target specific muscles. Pilates is about long lines and is very versatile.

You can perform Pilates on a reformer machine or a mat (my favorite), but Lagree requires its unique machine.

As you can tell, Lagree is for strength training, while Pilates is much more about wellness.

To get a more in-depth understanding of Lagree, check out this five-minute video from Sebastien.

 

Also read about: 8 Workout Sessions to Get You Sweating This Summer

 

The Class

If you're reading this from the Chicagoland area, I visited Resistance Chicago in Wicker Park. The team suggested I take a class with Jenna Cordaro, and I'm so glad I listened because she was a great instructor.

Jenna took the time to learn all the new attendees' names—because yes, that attention to detail does make a difference. Already, I felt more supported than I had in previous workout classes. She also encouraged questions throughout the class and lowered her mic to answer them. Aka, there was no shame or ego to feel like the instructor was declaring your confusion to a group of strangers.

I (and the other new attendees) received a quick intro to the machines, and they were surprisingly easy to learn.

From the first exercise, our instructor ensured we had good form. As we made our way through the machines, she encouraged us to take breaks when needed because it was better to perform a few accurate moves than ineffective, fast ones to keep up with advanced classmates.

I often have the latter occur in spin classes. Everyone around me seems to match the pace and deceiving intensity of the instructor with no issue, so I flail around on the bike to assimilate, voiding the point of the class.

If she noticed our form was off, she (privately) corrected us, and I never felt ashamed when I did need help.

And while it might vary from instructor to instructor, the music choices drastically transform the experience. I appreciated Jenna and Resistance's careful selection of feel-good modern pop hits to align with Lagree's slower tempo. Plus, I'd much rather listen to Sabrina Carpenter than niche '80s jazzercise tracks or blaring EDM noise. It seriously improves my motivation when I enjoy the music.

All in all, we probably did about five moves. It doesn't sound like much, but as Sebastien said, Lagree encourages slow motions. That said, the 45 minutes flew by.

 

Also read about: 5 Different Exercise Classes Everyone Should Do at Least Once

 

Bottom Line

I'm glad that there is a difference between Pilates and Lagree because not only do I have fun with both, I'm also getting unique benefits from each one.

If you're lucky enough to have an instructor as great as mine, you'll feel supported, regardless of your skill level. For any fellow beginners, it is easier than you think to pick up. There are also a lot of modifications you can do to suit your needs.

For me, it's a fun balance of the workouts I already stick to. Like Pilates, it gives me a break from my usual weightlifting. As someone who likes the intensity of a quick sprint on the treadmill, it helps me break a sweat and get my heart pounding.

I have no doubt I'll be taking another Lagree class in the future, and I'd definitely suggest everyone to try at least one because there's something in it for everyone to tailor to their fitness needs.

 

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