Lagree: Health Benefits, How to Get Started, and How to Get Better

So, what exactly sets Lagree apart from Pilates? Here, we explain the differences, potential benefits of Lagree, gear you need, nutrition tips, and more.

This workout is done with a megaformer, a spring-based machine with a platform and cables that are used throughout the exercises.

Lagree vs. Pilates: What’s the Difference?

Lagree and Pilates are often confused for each other. Both are low-impact (meaning they don’t strain the joints), full-body workouts that utilize a machine for added resistance. But there are key differences between the two methods.

One difference is the machine itself: Pilates uses a reformer, while Lagree uses the megaformer. The Pilates reformer is smaller (roughly 86 inches long), and does not have a platform at either end — only a small foot bar. Students perform many exercises on their back.

Another key difference is intensity, Lagree says. While both workouts are low-impact, Pilates is generally low-intensity, meaning it’s performed at roughly 40 to 60 percent of your maximum heart rate. Meanwhile, Lagree involves slow movements that work your muscles for an extended period, leading to a high-intensity workout that keeps your heart rate between 80 to 95 percent of your maximum.

Lagree offers many potential benefits. The method itself hasn’t been well studied, but its underlying principles have. “There are scientific principles that back this method,” says Winnie Yu, CSCS, DPT, a physical therapist and certified strength and conditioning specialist in New York City.

Still, as Dr. Yu points out, Lagree won’t be the only workout you need — pair it with other exercise modalities throughout the week. Lagree suggests alternating his method with Pilates or yoga to promote recovery through lower-intensity movement. The right mix depends on your goals, fitness level, and preferences.

May Build Muscle Endurance

May Improve Alignment

As Lagree explains, bodybuilding movements focus on strengthening individual muscles in isolation — such as a biceps curl that targets just the biceps. “In Lagree, we strengthen the entire body,” he says.

May Boost Mood

Lagree may support weight loss or weight management by boosting calorie burning and building muscle (muscle burns more calories at rest than fat). But there’s no research looking directly at Lagree and weight loss.

In addition, Lagree himself is clear that exercise alone won’t deliver weight loss results. “Your diet is important — the conversation has to shift to healthy eating habits,” he says. “Lagree will support weight loss in combination with nutrition, but it won’t burn enough calories on its own to create enough of a deficit for weight loss.”

Here’s the gear Lagree recommends to get the most out of class.

• Megaformer Lagree requires the use of a megaformer. These machines are available in Lagree studios, though there are models designed for at-home use, such as the microformer.
• Training Gloves Expect to sweat a lot during your workout, says Lagree. Gloves will help you keep your grip on the handles.
• Grip Socks Like gloves, grip socks (athletic socks with silicone or rubberized pads on the soles) help you stay stable and resist sliding on the machine, even when it becomes slick with sweat.
• Apparel The ideal outfit allows you to sweat and stretch. “It should not be super tight — you need your skin to breathe,” says Lagree. On the other hand, your clothes shouldn’t be too loose. Baggy clothes will hide your body’s alignment, making it difficult for your instructor to correct your form.

At-home megaformers can be expensive and bulky, which is why most people opt to find a studio in their area. (Search the studio directory on the Lagree website.) Browse the class offerings to see if your local studio has a beginner class, which will help you learn the Lagree method and how to use the machine.

If your studio does not have a beginner class, you are still welcome to take a more advanced offering. “Lagree is for everyone, even if you’ve never worked out before,” says Lagree. You can adjust your intensity by taking breaks as needed, he adds.

If you’re unsure of the workout after a class, Lagree suggests trying a different studio or instructor. “Just like Pilates and yoga, the quality of the class depends on how well the teacher understands the method,” he says.

Fueling properly before, during, and after Lagree is key for getting the most out of your workout. Here’s how to structure your nutrition.

Before Your Lagree Workout

“Prior to any higher-intensity workout, going in adequately fueled with easily digested food — not too much or too little — is integral for performance and recovery,” says Lisa Moskovitz, RD, a registered dietitian in New York City.

She suggests a pre-workout snack with quick-acting carbohydrates for energy and protein for muscle repair. For example, a banana and yogurt with granola or a piece of toast with nut butter.

During Your Lagree Workout

After Your Lagree Workout

The best after-workout fuel includes a combination of carbs and protein, says Moskovitz. “Protein is essential for recovery and repair of tissue stressed out during the exercise. Carbs help get protein to your muscles while replenishing energy stores,” she explains.

How much protein and carbohydrates you eat depends on your goals, says Moskovitz. If your goal is performance, muscle gain, or improving fitness, eat a ratio of 3:1 carbs to protein. That’s 30 to 60 grams (g) of carbs and 10 to 20 g of protein. If your goal is improving body composition or burning fat, the ratio should be 2:1 or 1:1 carbs to protein, she advises.

An example of a post-workout snack is a protein shake. If you’re ready for a meal, try a burrito bowl with chicken or scrambled eggs with avocado toast and cottage cheese.

• Lagree is a high-intensity, low-impact workout performed on a piece of equipment called a megaformer.
• Although it’s been compared to Pilates, Lagree is a distinct method. It involves performing bodybuilding exercises on the megaformer machine to improve muscular endurance.
• While research on the method is lacking, Lagree may improve muscular endurance, alignment, and mood. It may also promote weight loss when combined with a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle habits.