Lagree Fitness vs. Pilates – Which Workout Style Is the Best for You?

Are you planning to be more active this year?

If yes, you are not alone. Statistics demonstrate that 23.4% of the entire US population (331M) works out daily. This is a huge number of people leading a healthy lifestyle. 

There are a number of workout techniques, among which Pilates has been the most famous for nearly a century. On the other hand, Lagree has been getting more and more popular since its invention back in 2006.

These two, very similar at first sight and yet, completely diverse workout techniques, continue to confuse fitness enthusiasts for over a decade. That’s why I’m here to dot the i’s and cross the t’s.

What is Lagree?

Lagree is a modern fitness method invented by Sebastian Lagree that has been gaining popularity since 2006. It’s a versatile workout combining balanced cardio and strength exercises to keep your body in tone and tighten up your muscle mass.

Lagree perfectly balances an intense workout with low-impact movements. This method is ideal for people of all age groups, as it targets muscles instead of joints, making it a safe activity with little to no chance of injuries during training. 

Here are the main principles of Lagree:

• Effective form – this set of exercises helps maintain a correct body posture. 
• Range of motion – it highlights the efficiency of motion to target the right muscles.
• Effective tempo- exercises are performed slowly without rushing.
• Duration – Lagree utilizes a bodybuilding technique called “time under tension”. 
• Effective еension – this method uses another bodybuilding technique, “progressive overload,” for intensity.
• Effective transition – since this method is aimed at muscular endurance, there is no rest between movements.

Here’s an example of a Lagree workout in action:

One of the major differences of Lagree is that it manages to build muscles that no other fitness training can. Apart from it, Lagree has way more benefits, namely:

• Provides a full-body workout
• Helps lose weight
• Increases flexibility
• Helps relax and calm down during the session
• Makes you stronger and increases muscle mass
• Improves cardiovascular endurance

So, if you’re looking for an effective method to strengthen your body, gain more straight and improve your figure, Lagree may be the perfect option for you. Just like with any other type of workout, Lagree may take some time to help you reach your desired body shape, so in the meantime, you can get help from bum lifter pants.

Now let’s take a look at what Pilates has in store for us. Shall we?

What is Pilates?

Pilates has been the most popular type of fitness workout since the early 20th century. Just like Lagree, it also carries the name of its developer Joseph Pilates. As of now, it is definitely one of the most well-known types of workouts. 

Pilates is proven to be highly beneficial for people with chronic lower back pain. A systematic review conducted by the US National Institute of Health showed that regular Pilates training significantly reduced pain among people with CLBP.

Here are the main principles of this workout technique:

• Breathing – this is an essential aspect of Pilates.
• Concentration – you need to be fully focused.
• Control – you should pay attention to your movements.
• Centering – all exercises are performed from the abdomen.
• Flow – exercises should be performed in a certain sequence.
• Postural alignment – throughout the training, you should maintain a good posture. 
• Precision – each exercise should be performed flawlessly.

You can see one of the most common Pilates exercises on the image below:

The only precaution you should take when you’re a beginner in Pilates is to make sure not to overwork yourself. Otherwise, you might hurt your back. But on the bright side, it offers a range of benefits that won’t leave you indifferent:

• Helps out with stress and increases positive energy
• Relieves with back pain
• Improves your posture
• Reinforces your core 
• Decreases menstrual pain 
• Provides more mobility and flexibility
• Boosts your immune system
• Increases productivity
• Makes your sleep better

There are two basic types of Pilates: mat-based and equipment-based. With the first option, you use your body weight to perform certain exercises to improve your balance and posture.

As for equipment-based Pilates, the Reformer is the main machine used throughout the training. Spring-loaded equipment and dumbbells are also used to provide muscle resistance. 

Now that we’ve tackled the main benefits and drawbacks of each workout, it’s time to point out their differences. So, without further ado, let’s dive in!

6 Key Differences Between Lagree and Pilates

To most people, Lagree and Pilates may seem completely similar, but I’m here to prove you wrong. Sebastian Lagree was once a Pilates trainer, and this is where all the similarities come from. Over time he redefined this form of workout, altering everything from the training equipment, muscle focus, and methods, creating Lagree fitness. 

To help you see the differences better, I’ve put all of them together in one handy graph:

To sum up, both Lagree and Pilates are safe methods to balance up your body and tone your muscles. However, Lagree is more effective if you want to lose weight, gain more muscle strength and cardiovascular endurance.

How Many Times a Week Should You Do Lagree or Pilates?

For optimal results, it’s not recommended to do Lagree every day. Instead, take classes 3-4 times a week and rest a day between each training session. The same applies to Pilates – you can take classes 3-4 or even 5 times per week. 

However, don’t forget to listen to your body. If it feels comfortable with three classes per week, then it’s your perfect frequency but if you want more, try 4-5 times weekly. 

Although both workout methods were designed to relieve pain, strengthen your core, and provide positive energy, overtraining can be quite harmful. According to Verywell Fit, daily Pilates sessions can strain your neck muscles and cause soreness. The same applies to the Lagree method. Stick with the recommended 3-4 times per week regimes. Muscles require some rest to rebuild, so taking a day off after each session is a healthy approach to your training.

Which of the Two Workout Methods is Good for Weight Loss?

Doing Pilates or Lagree regularly can be beneficial for weight loss. But since the two methods have different intensities, their impact on your weight may vary. 

If you want to see major changes in your weight, then Lagree is the right choice. Lagree effectively burns calories since it’s a high-intensity workout with cardio and strength training that maximizes the chances of losing weight. 

Here’s a before and after photo of a lady who lost weight after a couple of months of dedicated Lagree training:

As for Pilates, it’s a more mild workout method that’s great for keeping your body toned up but won’t give you the weight loss results you’re looking for. You can try combining Pilates with more intense workouts such as running or cycling and following a strict diet to reach your desired weight.

How Long Does It Take to See Results from Lagree and Pilates?

According to the creator of Lagree fitness, you can see positive results right after the first session. Of course, the results will be minor, but they will definitely be there. As for more significant results, just like with other types of workouts, you need to give it some time. 

Also, don’t forget about your eating habits. You need to make dietary changes as well if you want to see results more quickly.

As for Pilates, you will need at least three weeks to notice changes. Of course, this depends on how often you practice. It may take up to eight weeks to start seeing results. Considering that Pilates is not only affecting your physical health but your mental state as well, you will notice major emotional changes sooner. You’ll become more positive minded and feel energized after only a couple of sessions.

Over to You

To sum up, the main differences between the two are the process and the results they provide. Unlike Pilates which doesn’t necessarily prerequisite any equipment, Lagree requires Megaformer, a special training machine. 

As for effectiveness, both will change your body but with a different approach and result. Pilates is not about losing weight and gaining muscle mass; it’s designed to tone up your body and keep it in shape. For more strength and intensity, Lagree is the better option. 

So, now that you’re more aware of the benefits and main differences between Pilates and Lagree, the choice is up to you. 

Looking for more fitness-related articles? Check out my other articles, where I share important insights and guides to help you lead a healthy lifestyle.