Swapping Reformer Pilates For Lagree: What Is It, And Which Is Better?

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.

What are the main benefits of Lagree?

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.

How quickly can we expect to see results?

“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.”

What machines can Lagree be performed on?

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.

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.