Lagree vs Reformer Pilates: What's Actually Different (and Which to Book)
Both use a sliding carriage and springs. One is built around precision and breath; the other around slow, burning time under tension. Here is how to choose.
Nadia Kessler8 min read
In This Story
In This Story
Key Takeaways
- Reformer Pilates emphasises control, breath, and alignment; Lagree emphasises slow, continuous time under tension.
- The Megaformer is longer than a reformer, with platforms and handles at both ends and more standing work.
- Reformer suits beginners and rehab; Lagree suits people who want high intensity with low impact.
- Grip socks and fitted leggings work for both.
From the doorway, a Lagree studio and a reformer Pilates studio look almost identical: rows of long machines with sliding carriages and springs. Ten minutes into class, they feel completely different. Reformer Pilates is a century-old method built on control, breath, and alignment. Lagree is a modern, high-intensity format designed to keep your muscles under tension until they shake. Neither is better — they solve different problems.
Fast answer
Reformer for control and technique; Lagree for intensity and burn
If you want low-impact strength that feels hard but sustainable, start with reformer. If you miss HIIT but want to spare your joints, try Lagree.
Where each method comes from
Pilates was developed by Joseph Pilates in the early 20th century; the reformer is one of his original apparatus. The method emphasises breath, core control, spinal articulation, and precise alignment. Lagree was created by fitness trainer Sebastien Lagree in the 2000s, alongside his own machine, the Megaformer. It borrows the carriage-and-spring idea but is designed around slow, continuous, high-resistance work with minimal rest. Lagree describes it as its own method, not a style of Pilates.
The machine
| Compare | Reformer | Megaformer (Lagree) |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Compact, single carriage | Longer, with platforms at both ends |
| Springs | Under the carriage, light to heavy | Under the carriage, generally heavier |
| Extras | Footbar, straps, box | Handles, cables, and platforms at each end |
| Movement | You often lie, kneel, or sit | You often stand, lunge, and plank |
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The tempo and intensity
In reformer Pilates, intensity comes from control: smaller ranges, precise positions, and lighter springs that make stabilising harder. Breath sets the rhythm. In Lagree, every rep is slow — often four counts each way — and you move straight from one exercise to the next with little rest. The aim is time under tension until muscular fatigue, and many people find it closer to a strength-and-cardio session.
Reformer asks, "Can you do this precisely?" Lagree asks, "Can you keep doing it?"
Who each suits
| Compare | Reformer Pilates | Lagree |
|---|---|---|
| Total beginners | Very approachable | Doable, but demanding |
| Injury rehab | Often used alongside physio | Usually better once cleared |
| Ex-HIIT or CrossFit | May feel slow at first | Feels familiar in intensity |
| Posture and mobility | Strong focus | Secondary focus |
| Sweat level | Moderate | High |
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Your first Lagree class
- Arrive early; instructors will show you how to change springs and use the handles.
- Wear grip socks — most studios require them. See how to choose grip socks.
- Choose fitted, opaque leggings and a close top; see best leggings for reformer Pilates.
- Go lighter than you think. Slow tempo makes light springs feel heavy fast.
- Expect to shake. It is the point, not a sign you are doing it wrong.
- Expect soreness the next day, especially in glutes, quads, and core.
Can you do both?
Many people do. A common pattern is reformer for technique and mobility once or twice a week, plus Lagree for intensity. If you are deciding between reformer and mat first, read reformer vs mat Pilates. If you prefer training at home, wall Pilates is a low-cost starting point.
Frequently Asked
Is Lagree the same as Pilates?
No. Lagree uses a machine similar to a reformer, but its method — slow, continuous, high-tension work with minimal rest — is distinct. Lagree describes itself as its own fitness method.
Is Lagree harder than reformer Pilates?
Most people find Lagree more intense and sweatier. Reformer can be equally challenging, but the difficulty comes from precision and control rather than continuous burn.
Is Lagree good for beginners?
Beginners can take Lagree with modifications, but it is demanding. If you are new to exercise or recovering from injury, reformer Pilates is usually a gentler start.
What is a Megaformer?
The Megaformer is the machine designed by Sebastien Lagree for the Lagree method. It has a sliding carriage with springs, plus platforms and handles at each end for standing and plank-based exercises.
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