The Lagree Method: Everything you need to know about the premium fitness method coming to France

You've heard of Lagree. All the American "it-girls" are talking about it, premium studios in Paris are opening one after another, and the fitness industry is starting to bet that it's the successor to Pilates Reformer. Here's the complete guide to understanding this method that's redefining high-end fitness in 2026.

#What is the Lagree Method?

The Lagree method (officially Lagree Fitness™) is a training method created in 1993 by Sebastien Lagree, a former French dancer and trainer based in Los Angeles.

Concretely, it's:

• A slow, controlled, high-intensity workout
• Performed exclusively on a specific machine: the Megaformer
• A session lasts 40 to 50 minutes
• The effort is continuous (little rest between exercises)
• The goal: core strength, strength, muscle endurance simultaneously

It's often described as "the marriage between Pilates and bootcamp."

#The Megaformer: The Machine That Changes Everything

Visually, the Megaformer resembles a Pilates Reformer, but wider and more robust. But the similarities stop there.

	Pilates Reformer	Megaformer
Designed by	Joseph Pilates (1920s)	Sebastien Lagree (1993)
Width	~50 cm	~70 cm
Carriage	Mobile, slides on 2 axes	Mobile, stable platform
Springs	4-6, variable resistance	6-8, stronger resistance
Fixed platforms	Small	Large (gain in stability and exercises)
Straps & handles	Hands/feet	Hands/feet + side bars
Machine price	€4,000-€8,000	€12,000-€15,000

Consequence: On a Megaformer, you can do more exercises, with more resistance, while staying safe thanks to the wider platforms.

#Lagree vs. Pilates Reformer: The Real Differences

Often confused, these are actually two very different methods:

Pilates Reformer

• Inspiration: dance, rehabilitation, motor control
• Main objective: alignment, control, lengthening
• Pace: slow to moderate
• Intensity: low to moderate
• Feeling: "I'm lengthening my body"
• Typical audience: women 30-60 looking for gentle toning

Lagree

• Inspiration: strength training, endurance, intense sport
• Main objective: strength, muscular endurance, visible transformation
• Pace: extremely slow (4 seconds per movement)
• Intensity: very high (stay under constant tension)
• Feeling: "I'm shaking, I'm burning"
• Typical audience: women 25-45 looking for rapid transformation

→ If you want to "gently get back in shape" → Pilates.
→ If you want to "transform your body in 8-12 weeks" → Lagree.

#The 5 Fundamental Principles of Lagree

1. Slowness

Each repetition is done in a minimum of 4 seconds. This is precisely what makes the method so difficult: you can never use momentum to cheat.

2. Constant Tension

Unlike classic strength training (effort + rest), in Lagree, you remain under tension throughout the exercise. A set lasts 60 to 90 seconds of continuous effort.

3. Multi-Planar Work

Each exercise engages several muscle groups simultaneously. Glutes work at the same time as abs and shoulders.

4. Maintained High Heart Rate

You stay in a moderate to high cardio zone for the entire session, without the destructive peak of HIIT.

5. No Impact

No jumping, no shocks. Joints preserved.

#Proven Benefits

On the Body

• Visible toning from 6-8 weeks (3x/week practice)
• Muscle definition without hypertrophy (muscles become dense, not bulky)
• Spectacular core strengthening
• Improved posture
• Increased metabolism (better resting expenditure)

On Health

• No impact: protects joints
• Improved cardiovascular endurance
• Maintained bone density (through resistance efforts)
• Strengthened joint stability

On the Mind

• Intense concentration (impossible to think of anything else)
• Maximum "endorphin effect" post-session
• Enhanced discipline and mental strength (demanding sessions)

#Who Is It For?

✅ Ideal for

• People seeking rapid visible transformation
• Former HIIT enthusiasts who want less impact
• Former Pilates practitioners who want more intensity
• Intermediate to advanced fitness levels
• Women 25-50 (but open to all)

⚠️ Caution / Not ideal for

• Complete beginners in sport (start with 1-2 months of Pilates first)
• Acute injuries (consult a doctor first)
• Pregnancy (specific programs needed)
• Uncontrolled hypertension

#The Typical 50-Minute Session

Phase	Duration	Content
Warm-up	5 min	Mobilization + core activation
Block 1 — Legs/Glutes	12 min	3-4 exercises of 90 s, slowly
Block 2 — Abs/Core	10 min	Plank variations, inverted squats
Block 3 — Arms/Back	10 min	Push, pull, isometric contractions
Block 4 — Combined	10 min	Full body exercises, final intensification
Stretching	3 min	Gentle recovery

You'll sweat a lot. You'll shake. You'll love it.

#The Cost: What to Expect?

Studios in Paris (in 2026)

• Single class: €35-€45
• 5-class pack: €150-€200
• 10-class pack: €280-€380
• Unlimited monthly subscription: €280-€450

Studios to know in Paris

• Lagreeness (two locations in Paris)
• Silo (upscale Paris)
• Elevate Studio
• Outcore
• Stripd Studio

→ Book in advance, classes sell out in 1-2 days at premium studios.

#How to Get Started (4 Tips)

1. Book an "Intro" or "Foundation" Class

Most studios offer a specific introductory class for beginners. Don't skip this step: the machine is technical, and poor positioning can lead to injury.

2. Expect 3-5 Sessions to "Get the Hang of It"

The first few classes are disorienting (the extreme slowness is counter-intuitive). That's normal. By the 4th-5th session, you'll understand the method and progress quickly.

3. Practice 2-3 Times a Week

Less: you won't see visible progress. More: risk of overtraining.

4. Combine with a Different Activity

Once a week, do something opposite: gentle yoga, walking, swimming. This variety prevents imbalances and improves recovery.

The Ideal Outfit (see our dedicated article)

Three essentials:

• Black fitted top and shorts (you'll be on your stomach, back, and in flexion)
• Non-slip socks (mandatory)
• High-density matte fabric (no slipping on the machine)

→ Our complete article on Lagree attire (article 23).

#The "Trial" in 1 Sentence

If you had to summarize Lagree to someone who has never tried it:

"It's what you get if you take the Pilates machine, increase the resistance, slow down every movement, and go non-stop for 50 minutes. It's the most effective, hardest, and most addictive workout you've ever tried."