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Founder of K-kore and Lagree instructor KYLIE ARCHER dishes the details on the exercise favoured by the Duchess of Sussex
When a workout gets the royal stamp of approval from none other than the Duchess of Sussex, you know it’s got to be good. And that’s exactly the case for the Lagree fitness method.
“Your body changes immediately,” Meghan has boasted of the workout, which resembles a Pilates Reformer and strength training hybrid.
So what exactly does Lagree involve? Founder of Melbourne’s K-kore Lagree studio (kkore.com.au) Kylie Archer explains...
WHAT IS IT?
“Lagree Fitness is a total body workout performed on a Megaformer,” says Kylie. This is similar to a Pilates Reformer bed, with a long carriage that sits on two stable platforms at the back and front, and can glide up and down from one to the other. It’s spring-loaded for different levels of resistance with handlebars and pulley cables for hands and feet.
“The workout is low-impact, high-intensity,” adds Kylie. “You’ll get a complete full-body workout in combining cardio, strength, endurance, body composition, and flexibility – not just in one session, but in each move.”
HOW IS IT DIFFERENT TO REFORMER PILATES?
The Lagree method is referred to as “Pilates on steroids”, and with the Megaformer around three times the size of a Reformer bed, you can make quick adjustments and find the right amount of tension and traction. Kylie says this allows you to position your body into an endless number of exercises, meaning you work your muscles in ways that aren’t possible on a Reformer.
WHAT ‘S A LAGREE WORKOUT LIKE?
“Each class is 45 minutes in duration and is generally broken down into ‘blocks’ of exercises focusing on each body part,” says Kylie, adding that you can expect to burn 300-600 calories per class. Aim for three classes a week “to see results in three to four weeks.”
CAN ANYONE DO LAGREE?
The short answer is... yes! “[Founder] Sebastien Lagree stresses that Lagree Fitness is for everyone,” says Kylie. “For all ages, body types, levels of fitness and athletic ability. Due to its low impact nature, every class and
exercise can be modified.”
HOW MUCH IS A CLASS?
“Cost can range from $36 (for a single drop-in rate) to around $10 a class if you’re on an ongoing membership,” says Kylie.