26 JANUARY 2026 K icking off a new year with a new workout always sounds great, until that first moment walking into a studio and thinking, ‘This was a bad idea.’ That’s exactly how I felt stepping into my first Lagree class: overwhelmed, curious, and a little intimidated. But at The Body Lab, the environment was welcoming, and the members were supportive, especially after I asked for the third and fourth times, “Am I doing this right?” For anyone trying it out, the biggest tip from the regulars is simple: listen up! Lagree comes with its own language, cues, moves, and concepts, and the trainers are there to help make it doable. Grip socks are required – and if you forget yours, the studio has pairs available for purchase. I checked ahead and brought the only pair I have, purchased from Stretch Lab years ago, although that membership didn’t last long. “A Lagree class is high energy, even though the movements are slow and controlled. It lasts 45-50 minutes, the music is pumping, along with your heart, and people feed off each other’s energy,” Owner Paul Green said. “Our trainers are the best in class, and guide members through the workout with safety and desired results top of mind.” There are four key training principles: progressive overloading, slow and controlled movement, constant tension, and multiple needed for results. The most challenging part was moving slowly and resisting the urge to go all out with each movement. “Slowing down is the secret sauce, and arriving at least 10 minutes early helps first- timers get acquainted with the megaformer before class kicks off,” Green said. “You’ll feel fatigue, shaking, and soreness in places muscle group engagement. Each trainer prepares a workout incorporating these principles to maximize “time under tension,” keep heart rates elevated, and minimize rest between movements. I just kept picturing the giant breakfast burrito I was going to have after class. “There’s nothing like the feeling at the end of class, knowing you’ve achieved something most people haven’t that day,” Green said. Green – who played football at USC and in the NFL – first discovered Lagree in Brentwood before bringing it to the Valley in 2010. Fifteen years later, the studio has grown into a staple with locations in Arcadia, Kansas City, and beyond. Now, we can’t forget to mention the megaformer – the star of the show. It’s a specialized piece of exercise equipment that combines elements of a Pilates reformer, strength training, and cardio. It features a moving carriage, adjustable springs, and pulleys, allowing for low- impact, high-intensity exercises that engage the core, glutes, legs, arms, and back. Workouts are slow and controlled, maximizing muscle tension for improved strength, endurance, flexibility, and stability. It looks intimidating, but if there’s one thing to know about me, it’s that I’m always up for a challenge. No matter how many swear words were going through my head. “I’d say it takes between five and 10 classes before someone feels genuinely at home on a megaformer,” Green said. “Balance is a big key.” Coaching styles, according to Green, are all about form, tempo, and intention. Each trainer uses precise cueing and a stopwatch to keep movements at the exact duration you didn’t know existed. It fades after a few days, but the confidence boost? That sticks around.” He’s not kidding. After the class, I burst through the door like Rocky when he gets to the top of the stairs. And that burrito? Worth the wait. thebodylabus.com BY MALLORY GLEICH The toughest part was making sure I moved slowly with each exercise. The megaformer creates constant resistance through every motion, forcing your muscles to work harder so you’re working strength, endurance, and cardio at the same time. The megaformer creates constant resistance through every motion, forcing your muscles to work harder so you’re working strength, endurance, and cardio at the same time. LOW AND SLOW IS THE WAY TO GO