heading In America, everything is bigger, including training equipment. Cue the Megaformer: A high-intensity, low-impact fitness equipment that can best be described as a Pilates reformer on steroids.
Like all kinds of handles, pulleys, bars and resistance springs, the Megaformer has a huge following in Hollywood – Michelle Obama, Jennifer Aniston, Sofia Vergara and the Duchess of Sussex are all fans – so It was only a matter of time before the British got their hands on it. They were riding on a rickety carriage.
Timeline Personal trainer Sebastien Lagree created the Lagree Method in 1998, when he began teaching Pilates reformers exercises such as squats, lunges, planks, and push-ups. He set up a studio in the living room of his West Hollywood apartment and began thinking about manufacturing his own equipment.
The Proformer (predecessor to the Megaformer) was born in 2003 after Mr Ragley maxed out 15 credit cards to pay £120,000 for a prototype.
Want to feel the real burn?Try Megaformer
slim line The Megaformer may seem like an improved reformer, but trust me, the Lagree Method is not Pilates. Instead, we provide a full-body workout based on bodybuilding principles that strengthens, lengthens, and tones. And it was tough. His legs were shaking five minutes into his 50-minute Megaformer session.
overview The Megaformer has front and rear platforms with a sliding carriage that moves between them. This machine is surrounded by stability bars for increased control and muscle activation (we learned during class that the bars are also called the “Ring of Fire”. And let me tell you, I ‘s abs were on fire). It also features a variety of handles, foot bars, and cables for added stability.
adrenaline The time under tension (the amount of time a muscle is active during a sequence of movements) is an important principle. Climbers and those accustomed to fast-paced burpees may struggle the most with Lagree’s method, as it uses a very slow tempo. It takes a minimum of 4 counts to get the carriage out and 4 counts to get the carriage in.
Get ready to get your heart rate up and work up a sweat, as each exercise must be repeated for at least a minute and there’s no downtime in between.
longline Megaformer is designed to activate slow twitch fibers. Slow-twitch fibers take longer to contract and don’t tire quickly, making them better suited for endurance activities such as long-distance running. When these fibers are moved, what is called a “lagree shake” occurs.
Shaking may seem like your body’s way of telling you to rest, but it leads to muscle breakdown, so it’s important to work through it (with proper form, of course). After a few weeks of classes, you’ll notice that your muscles are being rebuilt stronger, longer, and leaner.
life line Thanks to spring-based resistance, this low-impact workout is less stressful on your joints and connective tissues, making you less prone to injury. You can add or remove resistance by adjusting the springs or changing the position of your body according to the numbers and lines on the Megaformer’s carriage and platform.
incline Megaformer has over 1,000 exercises, each with three difficulty levels. The “easiest” option is to face forward on the platform in front (starter classes are taught in the front).
For those who are a little more advanced, there is the “Giant” variation, which is performed forward on a back platform, and for those who want the most difficult level, there is the “Giant Reverse” exercise, which is performed backwards on a back platform.
stand in line Newly opened Studio Fix in Kensington, West London, is one of only two licensed Lagree Method studios in the country. 50-minute Megaformer classes start from £30 per session (Mega membership prices range from £320 to £450 per month, studiofix.co.uk).
Though shockingly expensive, the changing rooms at this upscale wellness facility are equipped with clean towels, rain showers, and Aesop toiletries, as well as Dyson hair dryers and cordless hair straighteners.
Next week’s popular trips: Kotor, Montenegro
