The Science Behind Lagree Pilates

July 1, 2023 Heather Dorak FITNESS

In case you missed it, Lagree Pilates is taking the world by storm and has been doing so for the last 10 or so years.

This unique approach to working out is so popular not only because it’s a physical challenge (though it certainly helps that you are guaranteed to get your fill of fitness in a Pilates Platinum class). The real deal lies in Lagree’s ability to sculpt lean muscles and boost overall fitness.

But how?

Let’s dive into the science behind Lagree and uncover why it works like magic to transform your body.

Muscle activation & fatigue

This is a quick way to sum up Lagree Pilates: slow, controlled movements mixed with constant tension. It’s the perfect recipe for muscles like you’ve never seen. Lagree is all about activating those muscles to their maximum potential, which results in the coveted Pilates shake (more on that below).

These slow, deliberate movements are all about time under tension (TUT) – something you’ve likely heard your instructor say. This means that your muscles are under constant stress during each exercise, which is like your biceps and abs running a marathon. TUT stimulates your muscle fibers, leading to microscopic tears that jumpstart the muscle repair and growth process.

Then we get to the muscle fatigue – when your exhausted muscles scream, “We’ve had enough!” Though this sounds like a bad thing, we promise it’s not. This shake is what you want in Pilates – it’s what signals your body to strengthen and rebuild muscles, which results in the tone and definition you came to class for.

Core stabilization and balance

It’s important to work on the core for more reasons than just to have a six-pack. Your core is what keeps your entire body in check, and there’s no better place to strengthen your core than Lagree Pilates.

In Pilates, you hit the deep core muscles like the transverse abdominous and multifidus, which help with supporting your spine and keeping your posture in check.

But it doesn’t stop there. By strengthening your core, you also improve proprioception. This can be referred to as your body’s GPS system, which helps you have more spatial awareness to keep you from stumbling and help you move more smoothly.

A strong core also helps to reduce strain on other muscles and joints in your body so you don’t physically age as quickly.

Cardio endurance and calorie burn

You may be thinking that with a workout that’s built on slow and controlled movement, cardio likely isn’t something you’ll experience in Pilates.

Think again.

Lagree Pilates gets your heart pumping with its movements and helps tap into a different kind of heart workout than expected cardio, such as running.

That’s because of something called metabolic conditioning, which refers to exercises that are performed one after the other with minimal rest in between. This causes your oxygen intake and your metabolic rate to jump sky-high, which gives you an after effect called excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC).

What does that mean?

In short, EPOC means that your body will keep burning calories even after you’re done working out. And there’s yet another reason why we love Pilates.

As you can see, Lagree Pilates is more than just a workout. It’s a fun ride that’s backed with all kinds of science that makes it highly effective while still being safe to and gentle on your body.

So, get ready to activate your muscles, stabilize your core, and boost your cardio endurance as you transform your body in ways you didn’t think possible.