What's The Difference Between Lagree Fitness and Pilates and Is One Better Than the Other?

So, you’ve been thinking about trying Lagree Fitness. Maybe you heard about Lagree and would be interested to learn what differentiates it from Pilates or if one is more advantageous for your body’s needs when exercising. If so, you’ve come to the right place. Today we will break down the primary differences between Lagree Fitness and Pilates, and explain the advantages Lagree has over Pilates. 

It is important to note that Lagree and Pilates share some similarities in terms of core engagement, body awareness, and the incorporation of controlled movements. Additionally, Lagree Fitness draws inspiration from Pilates. However, there are a few key differences between the two methods, and these differences include the following:

1. Equipment: Traditional Pilates typically utilizes specialized equipment such as the reformer, Cadillac, and Wunda chair. Lagree Fitness, on the other hand, employs its own unique machine called the Megaformer. The Megaformer combines elements of a reformer with additional features like pulleys, springs, and handles, providing increased resistance and versatility.

2. Movement intensity: Lagree Fitness is generally more intense and physically demanding compared to traditional Pilates. Lagree workouts incorporate elements of strength training, cardio, and endurance. It also focuses on slow, controlled, and continuous movements. Pilates exercises, while challenging, often emphasize precision, alignment, and controlled breathing without the same level of intensity.

3. Muscle targeting: While both Lagree and Pilates work the entire body, the emphasis on muscle targeting may differ. Lagree workouts often involve multi-dimensional movements that engage multiple muscle groups simultaneously, with a particular focus on the core, arms, legs, and glutes. Pilates exercises typically concentrate on core strength, posture, and alignment, with an emphasis on developing long, lean muscles.

4. Tempo and transition: Lagree Fitness incorporates a smooth and slow tempo to activate the slow twitch muscle fibers that build deep muscles (our focus) and a lean body. Lagree workouts feature rapid transitions between exercises to maintain muscle engagement throughout the session, creating a more dynamic and challenging experience. Traditional Pilates features slower and deliberate transitions between exercises. This allows for a deeper focus on form, alignment, and controlled movement and may be helpful for injury rehabilitation. However, Lagree is also great for prenatal and postnatal, as well as injury recovery, as the movements are very slow and can be modified and customized for each client's needs. For clients with injuries or who are pregnant, we suggest private sessions though, so that we can more carefully refine the intensity and tempo of the exercises accordingly.

5. Fitness goals: While both Lagree and Pilates offer numerous benefits, they may attract individuals with different fitness goals. Lagree Fitness often appeals to those seeking high-intensity workouts, weight loss, increased muscle strength, and overall conditioning. Pilates is known for its emphasis on core strength, flexibility, improved posture, injury rehabilitation, and mind-body connection. Lagree combines core strength, flexibility, balance, cardio-vascular and muscular endurance. It's also great for athletes to improve their stamina and performance. 

Now that you have a better understanding of what makes Lagree different from Pilates, let’s discuss if one has more advantages over the other. While both Lagree and Pilates offer effective workouts, Lagree has some advantages over traditional Pilates. Here are a few key ways that a workout using Lagree Fitness has an edge over Pilates:

1. High-intensity, low-impact workout: Lagree workouts are designed to be high-intensity and challenging, but with minimal impact on the joints. The exercises focus on slow and controlled movements, which help to build strength, stability, and endurance without putting excessive strain on the body.

2. Full-body conditioning: Lagree workouts target multiple muscle groups simultaneously, providing a comprehensive full-body workout. The exercises involve engaging the core, upper body, lower body, and stabilizer muscles, resulting in improved overall strength, flexibility, and coordination. Lagree is perfect for anyone who doesn't want to get bulky, but wants to achieve a nice lean body. 

3. Incorporation of strength training and cardio: Lagree workouts incorporate elements of strength training by using resistance and tension, such as with the Megaformer machine. Additionally, the continuous flow of movements and transitions in Lagree workouts creates a cardio component, which helps to elevate the heart rate and increase calorie burn.

4. Time efficiency: Due to the high-intensity nature of Lagree workouts, they are typically shorter in duration compared to traditional Pilates sessions. A 50-minute Lagree class can provide an efficient and effective full-body workout in a shorter amount of time, making it appealing for those with busy schedules.

5. Constant muscle engagement: Lagree exercises emphasize the concept of "continuous tension" by maintaining constant muscle engagement throughout the workout. This approach maximizes the time under tension, leading to increased muscle strength and endurance.

6. Variability and progression: Lagree workouts offer a wide range of exercises and variations that can be modified to suit different fitness levels and goals. The resistance of the machines can be adjusted to increase or decrease the difficulty, allowing for progression as strength and fitness levels improve.

Now that you know what differentiates Lagree Fitness from traditional Pilates and how choosing a workout using Lagree could be advantageous for you, the next step is to get in touch with Level One to schedule your first class so you can start working to reach your overall fitness goals. Click HERE to view our available classes and to schedule your first class now.