Looking for the latest trend in fitness? Look into Lagree. Founded in 1998 by fitness professional Sebastien Lagree, the Lagree Method is a low impact, high intensity workout that can be completed in a short amount of time.
What is the Lagree method?
The Lagree Method is a low impact workout that focuses on core, muscle strength and endurance. These movements are easy on joints and connective tissue, making it a great option for older adults and those recovering from injury or surgery as well as younger, healthier athletes. This method uses variations of several familiar movements such as lunges and squats as well as other movements created specifically for these classes.
Lagree Fitness was designed to be done in a group setting on machines developed and sold by Lagree. Each workout is completed on one machine using different movements – but all on the same machine.
The eight keys to Lagree
According to their founder, there are eight Magic Keys to this method that make it effective:
- Effective form
- Effective range of motion
- Effective duration
- Effective tempo
- Effective sequence
- Effective transition
- Effective resistance
- Effective planes of motion
Lagree workouts are slow and intentional, using the bodybuilding technique of time under tension. Each exercise is completed for at least one minute at a slow tempo. As you improve form, you’ll complete each repetition even more slowly. Unlike other workouts, Lagree minimizes the transition time between exercises, moving directly from one movement into another. This superset style is also a technique used in bodybuilding. Instead of using weights, Lagree machines use springs for resistance.
As you progress in your practice, the first step towards increased difficulty is slowing the tempo and duration, then increasing resistance by using more springs. This provides progressive overloading, taxing the muscles and building both muscular strength and endurance.
How is Lagree different than pilates?
Lagree machines were originally based on the Pilates reformer. However, they were designed so the whole workout could be completed on one machine instead of moving from one machine to another like in Pilates. One of the key differences between these two types of workouts is the inclusion of cardio training in Lagree. While the heart rate typically stays low in Pilates, Lagree is moving directly from one movement to another. So, the heart rate often increases to 145 bpm or higher, creating a greater intensity than Pilates.
How can I try Lagree Fitness?
If you’re ready to tone your muscles and leave the gym shaking, try a class! While there are not yet any Lagree Fitness studios in Gainesville, book a class next time you head to Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa or St. Petersburg. During COVID, Lagree also created some Lagree-To-Go workouts to be completed at home (or when you travel) using smaller equipment that can be easily packed in your suitcase.
If you’re ready to invest in a machine of your own, you can buy the Microformer, Prices start at around $1,000. The Micro models are a good option for home use because they are smaller, lighter and easier to store than the Megaformer options, which start around $8,000. You can purchase a subscription to classes for the different machine options on a weekly, monthly or annual basis, ranging from $4 to $100.
The Lagree method will build strength, likely leave you shaking at the end of a session and sore the next day, making it a great low- impact option that is safe for joints and connective tissue. Learn more at lagreefitness.com and subscribe to classes on demand at lagreeod.com.
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