If you spend any time on social media, you have probably encountered ads for the fitness studio [solidcore] or influencers and everyday people talking about their experiences. Even if this is not the case for you, it’s highly likely that you, at some point, have crossed paths with the black reformer machines that look like standard pilates reformers but are not. Many often confuse Lagree and reformer pilates due to the similarity to the machines used, but the workouts themselves are distinctly different and yield varying results.
Reformer pilates, first developed by Joseph Pilates in the early 20th century, combines weight resistance and long, slow movements with breaks in between exercises. Reformer pilates typically aids in flexibility, elongation of muscles and strength when practiced regularly. Although it has become a popular workout in recent years, its initial objective in being created was not for bodily aesthetics, but rather, general health and mobility.
Lagree, on the other hand, was developed by Sebastien Lagree in the early 2000s with a distinctly different goal in mind: maximum muscle fatigue in minimum time. Performed on the Megaformer machine, Lagree combines elements of pilates, strength training, cardio and HIIT into slow, controlled movements that keep muscles under continuous tension. Unlike reformer pilates, which allows for rest between repetitions, Lagree intentionally eliminates recovery time during the workout, pushing muscles to their limits and triggering a higher metabolic response. This makes it particularly effective for those seeking body composition changes, as the combination of strength and cardio elements burn more calories both during and after the workout.
So, is Lagree actually more effective than reformer pilates? The answer largely depends on your goals. If you are recovering from an injury, looking to improve posture or seeking a low-impact way to build foundational strength, reformer pilates remains the better choice. However, if your primary goal is body transformation, increased muscle tone and improved endurance, Lagree has a clear edge. The intensity of the workout has been backed by fitness researchers who note that slow-twitch muscle engagement under sustained tension, the hallmark of Lagree, is one of the most efficient ways to reshape the body. The TikTok buzz, it turns out, is not entirely unfounded.