Have you ever walked out of a Pilates class and thought to yourself: “Wow, that workout made me feel great, but maybe it’s time to try something a bit more challenging“? 

If this sounds like you, then we have two things to say to that: 1) congratulations, you’re an absolute exercise beast! and 2) maybe it’s time for you to follow a more specialized route. You see, one of the fittest guys around had the same thoughts and, lucky for you, came up with a high-intensity exercise that is perfect for workout junkies in the need of their most challenging fix.

As a matter of fact, the one that we’re going to tell you about today is often referred to by its charming–yet pretty daunting!–nickname of “Pilates on Crack.”

Did your heart start racing? Because ours just did!

The workout trend is called the Lagree Fitness Traning Method and its one that’s been getting an awful lot of publicity in recent years, specifically because some of the most toned real-life goddesses in the world have sung its praises. These women include a bevy a gorgeous Victoria’s Secret angels, and even the newest member of Royal Family herself, Duchess Meghan.

Now, it’s important to note that Lagree isn’t just a bunch of hype–it’s an effective exercise routine that has been scientifically proven to improve cardiorespiratory and muscular endurance, increase muscular strength, streamline body composition, promote flexibility and balance, and because this IS Pilates-based after all, increase flexibility.

Lagree was created by its founder Sebastien Lagree, a Fabio-esque character who, besides having gorgeous blond locks, also has a very unique fitness philosophy. He felt that practicing Pilates was a great way to tone muscle and stay lean while still getting plenty of good cardio in, but he also felt that users weren’t getting the resistance they needed. To solve this conundrum, he created the Megaformer, a piece of exercise equipment that was specifically customized to complement Lagree’s Pilates-inspired moves.

The Megaformer can be found at any studio or gym that has undergone the Lagree-certification, but it can also be purchased privately, too. Though the method works best under the supervision of a Lagree instructor, folks at home can use the machine by following along to their videos.

Because the Megaformer’s design is so unique, new users might find the exercise to be more than a little intimidating, but the company stresses that the moves contain many of those seen in Pilates, such as squats, lunges, planks, and pushups.

To learn even more about the Lagree Fitness Training Method, and how the Megaformer is changing the way studios are getting their clients in shape, be sure to watch the video. We can’t wait to try Lagree for ourselves! Will we look like a duchess after a few sessions? Probably not, but our bods will be a whole lot healthier!

We’d love to hear your thoughts on the Lagree Fitness Training Method. Have you ever tried Lagree before? If so, what was your first class like? Do you have another favorite Pilates-based workout?