What Is Lagree? A Practical Guide for Fitness Instructors to the High-Intensity, Low-Impact Method

If you’re a fitness instructor scanning the latest trends, you’ve probably seen Lagree pop up more than once on studio class schedules, social feeds, or in client requests. But what is Lagree, really, and why has it become one of the most talked-about workouts in functional fitness?

In plain terms, Lagree is a high-intensity, low-impact full-body workout performed on a specialized apparatus (most commonly the Megaformer) that blends strength, endurance, core focus, cardio, balance, and flexibility into a single session. 

The goal is efficiency: work hard, stimulate as many muscle groups as possible, and do it in a way that’s safe on the joints and connective tissues.

It’s worth noting early on that if you want to bring Lagree into your studio offerings or recommend it to clients, it’s important to consider both client safety and your professional liability coverage.

A Quick History: Where Lagree Came From

Lagree was created by fitness innovator Sebastien Lagree, who spent years refining both the method and the machine behind it. The idea wasn’t to chase trends, but to build a workout that actually worked, and then keep improving it based on how real bodies responded.

Since the early 2000s, the method has continued to evolve. Over time, the equipment, class structure, and movement approach continued to develop through trial, feedback, and constant adjustment.

The full-body workout is intentionally designed, with every movement, tempo change, and transition serving a clear purpose. That’s part of why instructors respect the method and why clients tend to stick with it once they try it.

What Actually Happens in a Lagree Workout

Lagree is built around a few major principles that give it such a distinctive feel.

1. Slow, Controlled Movements

Every rep is deliberate, with an emphasis on maintaining tension throughout the exercise. Think of it like moving through molasses: you’re constantly working your muscles, even when it feels subtle. This slow pace is what makes small muscles fire in ways fast movements often miss.

For example, during a single plank-to-pike on the Megaformer, clients might shake from holding their core in place, but that tiny trembling is exactly what strengthens and tones deep stabilizing muscles.

2. High Time Under Tension

Unlike traditional strength training, where you might lift, pause, and rest, Lagree keeps muscles engaged for longer periods. This extended effort drives endurance, builds lean strength, and gives the body that long, toned look instructors and clients love. Because the muscles rarely get a break, the results are both efficient and noticeable.

3. Minimal Impact on Joints

Even though the workout is intense, Lagree is easy on joints thanks to spring-based resistance rather than heavy weights. Movements are smooth, controlled, and low-impact, which makes it accessible to a wider range of clients. You get a high-intensity experience without pounding your knees, shoulders, or back.

Sessions usually run 40–50 minutes, and they’re structured so there’s almost never downtime. You flow from one controlled movement to the next, keeping the heart rate up while working strength, stability, and endurance all at once.

The Megaformer creates resistance that you work both with and against, using only your own bodyweight. The combination of control, tension, and flow is what makes Lagree both challenging and addictive.

Benefits You’ll See (and Your Clients Will Feel)

When clients ask “What is Lagree?”, what they really want to know is what kind of results they can expect. The benefits go beyond just a good workout; they’re noticeable, measurable, and often addictive for clients.

• Lean, long muscle tone: The slow, high-tension movements in a Lagree workout target muscles in a way that creates that strong, elongated look. Clients often notice tighter arms, toned legs, and a more sculpted physique without adding bulk.

• Increased muscular endurance: Because the tempo is slow and the movements are continuous, muscles are engaged for longer than in traditional strength training. Over time, clients build stamina and resilience that carry over to other activities and workouts.

• Improved posture and core engagement: Nearly every exercise recruits deep stabilizing muscles, which help strengthen the core and support better alignment. Clients often walk out of class feeling more balanced.

• Joint-friendly intensity: Lagree workouts are challenging without pounding the body. Using spring-based resistance instead of heavy weights keeps the joints safe while still delivering a high-intensity experience.

• Metabolic boost: Extended time under tension helps increase lean muscle mass and rev up the metabolism. Clients often feel the effects long after the class ends, with muscles working even during recovery.

Many clients also experience the “Lagree shake,” that purposeful trembling from holding muscles under tension. It’s a clear sign the method is working, and it’s often what keeps clients coming back.

Staying Safe and Covered While Teaching Lagree

Lagree may be low‑impact, but it is far from low‑effort. As an instructor, you still need to think about risk, safety, and your professional protection just like you would for any structured, skill‑based workout format.

Every class involves movement, equipment, and real people. And even the most careful cueing and attention can’t guarantee that nothing unexpected will ever happen. Providing clear guidance on form and progression helps reduce risk on the floor, but the reality is that accidents and claims can still occur.

That’s where liability coverage matters most. A comprehensive liability policy protects you if:

• A client is injured during a session

• Someone trips over equipment

• A claim arises from your instruction or programming

With NACAMS Fitness Instructor Insurance, you get professional and general liability coverage built for fitness professionals, including protection for in‑person classes and online instruction alike.

If you are teaching Lagree classes or planning to add them to your offerings, make sure your liability insurance reflects the work you do. Get covered with NACAMS Fitness Instructor Insurance today and focus on teaching, not liability.

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