What if there was a way to strengthen your core and boost your endurance with a single workout? The Lagree fitness method will allow you to do just that! Lagree is an alternative to high-intensity interval training that targets the whole body. Keep reading for more on Lagree fitness and why you should try it!
What Is Lagree Fitness?
Lagree is an innovative workout method created by Sebastien Lagree, who combined the nurturing aspects of Pilates with the rigors of bodybuilding. When you work out with Lagree, you will simultaneously work on:
- Cardiovascular strength
- Flexibility
- Endurance
- Human body composition
What Is Lagree Megaformer?
The Megaformer is a popular piece of equipment for Lagree Pilates sessions. Megaformer workouts entail slow motions that activate several muscles concurrently with no rest time between exercises.
How Does the Megaformer Work?
The Lagree Megaformer comes in various variants, but they are all built on the same foundation. The Megaformer’s platform and carriage are its two most significant components. There is no movement to the platform, so you can use it for sitting, kneeling, or standing. Even though it moves back and forth, the carriage is helpful.
Exercises are made more challenging by adding springs. They are installed below the equipment, and their intensity can be adjusted. This will make the carriage harder to move. Bands can also be attached to the machine’s ends or sides for even more excellent resistance. The Megaformer is equipped with stationary handlebars at both ends for your convenience.
What Can You Expect From a Megaformer Workout?
You need to know what to expect from this monster machine if you take it on.
Every Lagree class is structured so that participants work in specific muscle groups. Usually, the lower body comes first, followed by the upper body, and then the core.
It’s also essential to take note of the class’s tempo. Every exercise in a Lagree class is done on a four-count in, four-count out; thus, understanding the notion of time under strain is essential.
The Megaformer is about something other than raising the weight or the number of repetitions. The focus should be on working through the exercise for longer without compromising form.
When it comes to the Megaformer, “slow and controlled movements” are the order of the day. More muscle fibers are recruited when working slowly with and against the resistance.
The Lagree strategy is not intended to simplify the workouts over time. Instead, you can improve your performance by building muscle, holding poses for longer, and repeatedly slowing down to hone your form.
Benefits of Megaformer Pilates
Workouts using the Megaformer are rapidly becoming popular. This makes perfect sense as the machine provides full-body training that improves strength, flexibility, and endurance with minimal impact.
Total Body Workout
If strength training is already a part of your routine, you may be familiar with the benefits of breaking up your exercises into circuits that target various muscle groups. With Lagree, there is no need to set aside specific days for upper or lower body exercises because every part of the body works out in a typical Megaformer session. This full-body exercise could be a practical option if you don’t have much free time.
Engage the Core
The Megaformer is a core-focused exercise machine similar to the Pilates Reformer. While the machine is designed to strengthen the abdominal muscles, any exercise that stresses the body’s core can yield beneficial results. Your abs will be sore from a Megaformer lesson, even if you don’t realize it at the time. The Megaformer is an excellent option if you’re looking to build a solid core.
Build Muscle
Resistance during workouts on the Megaformer has increased thanks to the device’s springs, which also increase muscle tension. Muscle fibers are activated when these movements are held for at least 60 seconds. Muscles can contract because of the resistance, and muscle growth occurs gradually in response to such stimulation.
Low-Impact but High-Intensity
Many people want to feel the benefits of high-impact exercise while minimizing the impact on their joints and entire body. The Megaformer is one way to accomplish this. Lagree workouts are low-impact since the motions are moderate and controlled. Nevertheless, you will still sweat, boost your stamina and endurance, and burn fat.
How to Become a Megaformer Master
Megaformer exercises are designed to activate multiple muscle groups simultaneously, and this is why the Megaformer is so effective. Here’s how you can master the machine!
Understand the Megaformer
The gliding carriage quickly increases the difficulty of low-impact exercises (such as various lunge and plank variations) by introducing instability and resistance. You will be stimulating many little muscles you weren’t aware existed.
Try the Machine
Make sure to get early to our studio and familiarize yourself with how the Megaformer works. You will learn how many springs to use, where to place your hands and feet (the lines on the carriage serve as guides), and other important details during your lessons.
Keep Working Out Until You Master It
Make sure your abs are always engaged during the exercises by thinking, “Core first” before every instruction. Your abs will power through.
Also, make sure to never lock out your elbows or knees since doing so puts tension on the joints. And go easy on yourself if you feel overwhelmed initially because it takes around four sessions to try most of the movements.
Conclusion
Beginners and newbies may find the Megaformer machine frightening and challenging to use. There is a lot to understand about this exercise gear, including handlebars, resistance bands, a sliding carriage, and more.
But don’t be scared! Pilates Plus LA is here to help you master the Megaformer and start living a fitness life. Sign up for your first class, and see you on the Megaformer!