What Is the Lagree Method?
Spoiler: It’s not Pilates, it’s not strength training, and it’s definitely not easy.
If you’ve ever looked at a Megaformer and thought, “What is that thing?”, you’re not alone. The Mega looks part spaceship, part medieval torture device, and yet people voluntarily get on it. Not just once, but regularly. Happily, even.
So, what’s the deal?
The answer lies in The Lagree Method. It’s a workout that’s equal parts science and sweat, born from one man’s frustration with the limits of traditional fitness. It’s low-impact, high-intensity, and incredibly effective in the best way.
We teach Lagree every day at our Bedford, New Hampshire studio, and we’ve seen firsthand how it changes bodies, minds, and expectations.
If you’ve ever felt like traditional workouts just aren’t cutting it, this one’s for you.
Who Created The Lagree Method?
The Lagree Method started with Sebastien Lagree, an aspiring actor from France who moved to Los Angeles in the 1990s and accidentally became a personal trainer. (His words, not ours).
Back then, Sebastien was deep into bodybuilding. He liked intensity. He liked efficiency. And he liked results.
But as he started training others and working with celebrity clients, he ran into a problem: the traditional tools he had, like weights, machines, and even Pilates Reformers, weren’t cutting it for the kind of workouts and results he wanted to deliver.
He respected the control and precision of Pilates, but the Reformer was too gentle. He liked the burn of strength training, but not the impact. So he did what any determined entrepreneur/inventor does: he built his own solution.
That solution is what’s now called the Megaformer, a machine designed to hold your muscles under tension for extended periods while keeping impact to a minimum. And with that machine came an entirely new method: Lagree.
It’s not just Pilates with an upgrade. It’s a full-on training system that combines:
Slow, controlled movement
Constant resistance
Minimal rest
A whole lot of shaking
The goal? Maximize effort. Minimize joint stress. Deliver real, lasting results.
What started in LA has now gone global, and if you’re near our Megaformer studio in Bedford, NH, it’s right around the corner!
What Makes the Lagree Method Different from Other Workouts?
Lagree isn’t just another group fitness class with good music and a tough instructor. It’s a science-backed method built around one core principle: time under tension. That means every move is slow, controlled, and uninterrupted, which forces your muscles to work harder, longer.
Most workouts rely on momentum. Lagree takes momentum out of the equation. No swinging, no bouncing, no resting between reps. Just deep, targeted work that ignites every muscle, from your glutes to your grip strength.
Here are some of the key elements that set The Lagree Method apart:
It’s high intensity, but low impact. Your heart rate stays elevated, but your joints stay protected. That means you can challenge yourself without burning out or breaking down.
Lagree targets strength, endurance, cardio, core, balance, and flexibility at the same time. You don’t need a separate workout for each fitness goal. Lagree combines all of it in one efficient, sweaty package.
It’s not about reps, it’s about precision. You’ll hold positions for longer, move through transitions more slowly, and feel the burn in muscles you didn’t even know you had.
You’re in control the entire time. The slower you move, the harder it gets. You create the intensity, your instructor just helps push you to your max.
Think of it as the workout equivalent of slowing down to speed up. And yeah, it works!
Is the Lagree Method Right for Me?
Here’s the truth: Lagree isn’t about being the fittest person in the room. It’s about showing up, moving with intention, and challenging yourself in a way that’s smart, sustainable, and deeply effective.
So if you’re wondering whether this workout is for you, here are some considerations:
You want to get stronger without wrecking your joints.
Lagree is all about intensity, not impact. You’ll feel the fire in moves like Scrambled Eggs (basically a plank with internal rotation) or Runner’s Lunge (your glutes will feel this one), and you’ll do it all without ever pounding your knees or spine.
You don’t have two hours to work out.
Let’s be honest, we are all getting busier and life doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. One of the great things about The Lagree method is how efficient it is. Workouts are usually 45 minutes and they pack a punch.
After a few minutes of holding a lunge on the moving carriage (Xpress Lunge with pulses we all love to hate), your legs will be shaking and your brain will be questioning everything.
You’re done with punishing workouts.
Lagree doesn’t scream at you to go harder. It asks you to focus, slow down, breathe, and stay present. That’s where the work happens.
You’re a beginner, a pro, or somewhere in between.
New to exercise? Awesome. Welcome!
Training for something big, like an Ironman or Hyrox? Also awesome. Lagree meets you where you are when you start, then scales with you as you grow.
If you’ve ever felt like traditional workouts weren’t quite you—maybe they were too aggressive, repetitive, or too hard on your body—Lagree might be the thing you didn’t know you were missing!
Can Lagree Support Other Forms of Training?
If you’re passionate about other forms of fitness, Lagree doesn’t have to replace your other workouts. In fact, The Lagree Method plays really well with others! Whether you’re into running, lifting, yoga, cycling, or team sports, Lagree can boost your performance by building the kind of strength and control that translates everywhere.
If you’re a runner or marathoner. . .
Lagree helps runners build deep core and glute strength, which improves posture, running mechanics, and joint stability. Think fewer overuse injuries and better efficiency on long runs. (Moves like Standing Inner Thighs or Bungee Kicks are sneaky-good for this!)
If you’re a weightlifter or bodybuilder. . .
You already have power, but Lagree helps you fine-tune control and enhance mobility. Lagree trains the smaller stabilizer muscles that traditional lifts often overlook, improving balance, range of motion, and reducing the risk of injury. That Giant Wheelbarrow or Bear hold? Total game-changer for core activation under fatigue.
If you love yoga, barre, or dance. . .
Lagree enhances core stability, flexibility, and full-body coordination without sacrificing control or grace. It’s especially helpful for transitions, inversions, and balance-based work. Plus, Lagree teaches you how to stay strong through the shake.
If you’re just living a busy, active life. . .
Carrying groceries, holding your kids, walking uphill, getting up off the floor—Lagree supports it all. It’s functional strength with real-world application that will keep you moving as you age.
At The Collective Studios, we have athletes, new moms, weekend warriors, and everyday folks using Lagree as a cross-training secret weapon. Because Lagree doesn’t just build strength, but resilience for everyday life.
What Are the Long-Term Benefits of Lagree?
Lagree is the kind of workout that meets you in the moment, but transforms you over time. It’s not about burning out, maxing out, or chasing a quick fix. It’s about building a stronger, more resilient body from the inside out and doing it in a way that’s sustainable for the rest of your life.
When you commit to the shake, here’s what happens:
You build long, lean muscle. Because Lagree focuses on slow-twitch muscle fibers, you’ll develop strength that’s sculpted, balanced, and built to last.
Your core gets ridiculously strong. Nearly every move in Lagree is core-driven, even the ones that don’t look like ab work. Over time, you’ll stand taller, move more efficiently, and feel more connected to your body.
Your balance, posture, and coordination improve. From lunges to planks to single-leg holds on a moving platform, Lagree trains your body to stabilize under pressure, which pays off whether you’re hiking a trail or sitting at a desk.
You stay consistent because your body doesn’t feel wrecked. The low-impact nature of Lagree means fewer joint issues, less burnout, and more days where movement actually feels good.
You start to trust your body more. The mental discipline it takes to move slowly through discomfort? That doesn’t just stay in the studio. It shows up in how you carry yourself in everyday life.
Lagree rewards consistency, not perfection. And the more you show up, the more you realize: you’re not just getting stronger. You’re building the kind of strength that lasts.
Where to Try Lagree in Bedford, NH
You can experience the magic of Lagree right here at The Collective Studios in Bedford, NH. We built an entire studio around the Lagree Method because we believe in what it does. It’s not a side offering or a trendy extra, but the heart of what we do at our Bedford studio.
Whether you’re new to fitness, looking to level up your training, or just want to try something different, this is your place.
You can start with one of our intro offers:
2 weeks of unlimited classes for $69
3 classes for $65
We’ll teach you how to use the Megaformer, modify as needed, and feel confident from your very first class.
Come for the challenge, stay for the results.