Learn the similarities and differences between Lagree vs. Pilates, and which workout method is right for you.

As you skim throughClassPass,you realize theres Pilates and theres Lagree Pilates.

What the heck is the difference, and which one should you choose?

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Both the Lagree Method and classical Pilates are great forms of exercise, but theyre not interchangeable.

They can, however, be complementary to each other.

What is classical Pilates?

Two young women practicing ballet with a teacher in the dance hall.

a certified Pilates instructor

It was invented by Joseph Pilates in 1926, but didnt gain popularity until the 90s.

The springs can be adjusted to work with your fitness level.

What are the benefits of classical Pilates?

Woman doing hip exercises

Pilates is a greatlow-impact workout.

Because of that, many different groups of people can do it, including those with prior injuries.

Her recommendation is to start with a class for beginners and work your way up.

Cropped image of woman doing lunge yoga pose

For something thats less intense, classical Pilates may be the move.

What is the Lagree Method?

The Lagree Method was invented by Sebastien Lagree in 2006.

Woman in leggings and bra doing Lunge with Arm Extended Up pose hip opener stretch during yoga session in morning at home.

a certified Pilates instructor

Lagree is a French man who came to the United States in the 90s looking to become an actor.

He had never heard of Pilates, but he decided to learn more about the modality.

None of that stuff existed.

Woman doing arm exercise without weights while sitting on mat at home.

It was not part of the vocabulary, Lagree says.

When I saw the reformer, using the spring was not a foreign concept [to me].

I saw the spring as a hybrid between a weight and a rubber band, Lagree says.

A woman in sports clothes does yoga or gymnastics at home. Daylight. She smiles

Thus, the Lagree Methodand the Megaformerwas born.

What are the benefits of Lagree?

Lagree challenges your musclesand helps to build and sculpt them.

It improves endurance, cardiovascular fitness, body composition, flexibility, and strength.

The tempo is reduced, and this creates thetime under tensionwhich forces you to integrate all of your muscles.

You build total strength, and its a more holistic way of training, Lagree says.

Part of what helps with muscle building is the carriage called the Megaformer.

What are the drawbacks of Lagree?

You need a basic amount of fitness when you do this workout.

Its not for everyone, Lagree says.

Lagree vs. Pilates: Whats the difference?

They may seem similar at first, but there are key differences between Lagree and Pilates.

The reformer is particularly beneficial for creating balanced muscular engagement.

Movements are often held for extended periods, requiring intense focus and endurance.

Lagree vs. Pilates: Which one is right for you?

Now, you have Pilates 2.0, you have high-intensity Pilates, modern Pilates, progressive Pilates.

These are different ways of saying the workout is Lagree-based, Lagree says.

If a studio doesnt have the Lagree name included in the title, its not an actual Lagree class.

The best workout is a combination of things, he says.

So if youre not sure which one to do, do boththeres room for everything!

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