Tighten & Tone In Only 40 Minutes – Lagree Fitness

Yep 40 Minutes…that’s all you need to set those abs and glutes on fire.  You have more important things to do than spend your whole evening in the gym – like diving into that fresh batch of pico de gallo and sipping on a Skinny Zico Coconut Margarita.  BUT…you better get that workout in if you still want that sexy summer bod.  Enter my new Obsession:  Lagree Fitness at Pilates Plus Bellevue.

Thanks to ClassPass, I found yet again, a studio that is completely #craveworthy.  As I was scrolling the ClassPass App looking for something new to try this week, I came across Pilates Plus Bellevue – 40 Minute Lagree Fitness.  I’ve heard amazing things of this hybrid Pilates style and, as you know, I am game to try anything at least once!

First of all, one of the (major!) perks of Pilates Plus is their extensive class schedule, offering multiple class times 7 days/week.  Second, free parking in the adjacent Safeway retail lot!  This is a big deal to me, as I’m driving in from outside the city and loathe searching/paying for parking.

I met up with a friend to try the 6pm class with Rachel and was ecstatic to see there were only 5 people in the whole class!  The Pilates Plus philosophy is all about small group training, which 100% makes you work harder and stay on track.

So what is Lagree Fitness?  Technically it’s Pilates, but it’s completely amplified using the Megaformer exercise machine, which creates an explosion of cardio and strength training.  The mission is to isolate, creating target muscle failure, working the slow-twitch muscle fibers – these are the FAT BURNING fibers – so we like them :).

“And people who want to burn a serious number of calories—Lagree estimates a session can burn up to 800 of them. Classes focus on time, not reps, with each movement lasting about 60 seconds and working up to 600 muscles at once. Right when you feel like you’re about to collapse, the instructor will ask you to “pulse it.” “Your brain will scream, ‘Oh, my God—please stop!’ but that’s what you have to do,” Lagree says. “The reward is that your body will continue to burn fat long after the torture is over.” – Details.com

What results can you expect from Lagree Fitness?

So what was my experience with Lagree Fitness?  Think sliding lunges, intense planking and heel kicks…all while on the Megaformer.  My glutes had a raging burn and my elbows were dripping sweat (a tell-tale sign you are working your a** off).  The transitions were quick, allowing zero time for rest (so no slacking!).  And just when I thought I could barely handle another push-up, the instructor announced ‘And you’re done!’  #Hallelujah!  No doubt the class challenged me, but it went by incredibly fast and I loved leaving with a little post-pilates euphoria.  I felt strong, empowered, accomplished.

Check out a quick video of my Lagree experience HERE!

The beauty of Lagree Fitness is that it’s not only low-impact, but also can be modified with varying levels of spring resistance.  Rachel at Pilates Plus walked me through the Megaformer before class, showing me how to adjust it (which ended up being super easy!).  Regardless of how intimidating the machine may look, trust me, it is completely user-friendly!

I am highly impressed with Pilates Plus and the Lagree Fitness method and love the fact that I can get a SERIOUS workout in only 40 minutes.  For my friends here in the PNW, I urge you to check their studio out asap!  You can try the first class free or sign up for ClassPass here.  There are so many fit opportunities – why not try them all?!

#livingthesweatylife

Have you tried Lagree Fitness?  I would love to hear your experience in the comments!

P.S.  Curious about that Skinny Zico Coconut Margarita I mentioned?  Yeah I thought so…stay tuned – my next obsession coming soon!

#CrackLifeOpen

XoXo Portia