What is a Lagree Megaformer and Which One Should I Buy?

November 18, 2024

The Lagree Megaformer is a fitness machine built specifically for the Lagree Method, a high-intensity, low-impact training system created by French-born fitness entrepreneur Sebastien Lagree. The Mega Pro is the most accessible Megaformer model and a popular pick for both home setups and boutique studios. However which Megaformer is best will depend on your budget, use case and available space.

While the Lagree Method was inspired by Pilates and shares some of its roots, it is its own thing entirely, with its own machines, techniques, and way of training. The more accurate name for what people often call "Lagree Pilates" is simply the Lagree Method, or Lagree Fitness.

If you're trying to decide which Lagree Megaformer is right for you, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know.

What is the Lagree Method?

The Lagree Method is a high-intensity, low-impact fitness system that works on strength, cardio, endurance, core, balance, and flexibility all in one session. The whole method is built around time under tension by keeping your muscles under continuous load without rest or momentum, the Lagree Megaformer creates a deep level of muscle fatigue that's hard to replicate with faster, more traditional workouts. That's what gives every Lagree class that famous "slow burn" feeling.

What is a Megaformer?

The Megaformer machine is what makes the Lagree Method possible. At its core, the Megaformer is a large, horizontal frame with a sliding carriage in the center, similar in shape to a Pilates reformer, but bigger and built for a completely different purpose. The gliding carriage moves back and forth along the frame while you push, pull, or hold your position, and the resistance it provides is what makes every movement so challenging.

On top of that, the Megaformer comes with handlebars at different heights along the frame, pulleys, bungees, carriage and platform straps, and multiple platforms and surfaces you can use for different exercises. All of these features work together so you can move through a huge variety of full-body exercises that challenge your core, balance, endurance, and strength all at the same time.

How Does the Megaformer Work?

Megaformer Pilates workouts are built around slow, controlled movements that keep your muscles working the whole way through each exercise. Unlike traditional high-intensity workouts like running or HIIT, the Lagree Megaformer uses resistance and body position to work your muscles deeply without putting any stress on your joints. The result is a workout that's genuinely intense while still being low-impact, which is one of the things that makes the mega former so different from anything else out there.

Exercises on the Megaformer usually involve pushing, pulling, or holding different positions across the machine's platforms while the carriage moves. If you've never tried it before, the slowness of the movements can catch you off guard. Most people wonder how something that looks so slow can feel so hard. The answer is time under tension. Because there's no momentum and no rest between reps, your muscles stay loaded the entire time, which builds real strength, endurance, and toning results you can see and feel. A good Megaformer Pilates workout can burn anywhere from 440 to 800 calories depending on how hard you push and your body size.

What are the Benefits of Using a Megaformer?

Getting to know the benefits of Megaformer helps explain why so many people get hooked on this method.

It builds balanced strength all over your body

The Megaformer works multiple muscle groups at the same time, so no single muscle gets overworked while others get left behind. Compound moves like the Reverse Wheelbarrow are a great example, you place your hands on the moving carriage and slowly push and pull, working your arms, shoulders, core, and legs all in one go.

It improves your flexibility and balance

A lot of Megaformer Pilates workouts are designed to lengthen your muscles through controlled movement and resistance, which builds both flexibility and stability over time. The Runners Lunge, for example, opens up your hip flexors and extends your legs while also working your glutes and core, helping you move better and feel more balanced.

It builds real core strength and endurance

Your core is involved in almost every single Lagree workout exercise. Moves like the Plank to Pike push your core strength and control while also working your shoulders and back, building the kind of deep core stability that makes a difference in everyday life and athletic performance.

It's a seriously time-efficient workout

Because every exercise on the Megaformer machine works multiple muscle groups at once, you can get a complete full-body workout done in as little as 30 to 45 minutes. Moves like the Catfish, which works your calves, thighs, and core at the same time, show just how much you can pack into a single Lagree class.

It helps with weight loss

The high-intensity, low-impact nature of Megaformer workouts burns a solid amount of calories and keeps your metabolism working hard. Exercises like the Super Lunge, where you press and pull the carriage with one leg while the other stays on the platform, keep your quads, glutes, hamstrings, and core firing the whole time, which keeps your heart rate up and helps you burn more calories. Over time, that combination of building muscle and burning calories adds up.

It's easy on your joints

Even though the intensity is high, the Megaformer machine's spring-based resistance is gentle on your joints. That makes the Lagree Method a great choice if you want serious results without the wear and tear that comes from high-impact training like running or jumping.

What Does a Lagree Megaformer Class Feel Like?

A typical Lagree Megaformer class runs for about 40 to 45 minutes and takes you through a series of slow, continuous exercises with very little rest in between. It feels manageable at first, but within a few minutes most people start to notice the famous "Lagree shake", that involuntary trembling that happens when your muscles hit a deep level of fatigue under sustained tension. It's a good sign.

Megaformer classes are usually kept small, with everyone working on their own Megaformer machine. Your instructor will guide you through each movement, helping you find the right form and flow through transitions. If it's your first time, don't worry, good instructors always offer modifications for beginners. By the time the class is over, most people are genuinely surprised by how worked they feel, especially since they never had to jump, sprint, or do anything high-impact to get there.

Megaformer vs Pilates Reformer: What's the Difference?

The difference between the Megaformer and reformer Pilates is one of the most common questions that comes up, and it's a good one. Whether you're weighing up the Megaformer vs reformer, trying to figure out the mega reformer Pilates experience vs traditional reformer Pilates, or just want to understand the difference between Megaformer and reformer before making a buying decision, here's the simple version.

The Pilates reformer is built for low-intensity, controlled movement. It focuses on precision, alignment, flexibility, and rehabilitation. It's a core piece of equipment in classical and contemporary reformer Pilates and is widely used in therapeutic and clinical settings.

The Lagree Megaformer is built for high-intensity, full-body fitness. When you look at the Megaformer vs Pilates reformer side by side, the most obvious difference is size. The Megaformer is bigger, which opens up a wider range of exercises. Some moves on the Megaformer, like the Super Lunge, simply can't be done on a standard Pilates reformer because the carriage isn't long enough. The Lagree Megaformer also has heavier resistance options than most reformer Pilates machines, which makes it a better fit for athletes or experienced fitness enthusiasts who want a real challenge.

The simplest way to sum up the Megaformer vs reformer Pilates question is this: if you're looking for a precise, therapeutic practice, the reformer Pilates machine is a great choice. If you want a high-intensity, full-body workout that's still easy on your joints, the Megaformer Pilates Lagree machine is the one for you.

Who Typically Uses the Megaformer?

The Megaformer Pilates equipment works for a really wide range of people.

Fitness enthusiasts who want a tough, effective Lagree workout use the Megaformer machine to hit their whole body in one session.
Busy people love how much you can get done on the Lagree Megaformer in under 45 minutes.
Anyone dealing with joint issues or a history of injury appreciates how low-impact Megaformer Pilates training is.
And serious athletes, including plenty of professional sports players, turn to the Megaformer as a cross-training tool because of the unique challenge the Lagree machine brings to strength, endurance, and stability.
The Lagree Method also has a well-known following in Hollywood, with lots of celebrities and public figures making the Lagree Megaformer a regular part of their fitness routine.

The Megaformer Model Lineup: Which One Should I Buy?

If you're wondering how much is a Megaformer and which model makes the most sense for you, this is the section to read. The Lagree Megaformer price varies depending on the model, and Lagree Fitness offers several different Megaformer machines to suit different needs, spaces, and budgets. Here's a straightforward breakdown of the main options across the Megaformer Pilates equipment range:

Mega Pro

The Mega Pro is one of Lagree's most accessible Megaformer models and a popular pick for both home setups and boutique studios. It measures 125 in long × 35 in wide × 16 in from floor to carriage (318 cm × 89 cm × 41 cm) and weighs 250 lbs (113 kg). It's a great starting point in the Lagree Megaformer lineup and one of the more approachable Lagree Megaformer price options for studio owners just getting started.

M3

The M3 is one of the most popular and widely used Megaformer machines in commercial studios around the world. As the third-generation Lagree Megaformer, it measures 130 in long × 35 in wide × 31 in tall, with a carriage height of 16 in from the floor (330 cm × 89 cm × 79 cm, carriage 41 cm from floor) and weighs 305 lbs (138 kg). It features a refined carriage system, 8 springs, and adjustable front and back handlebars, and has become a go-to model for professional Lagree studios everywhere.

M3S

The M3S is a step up from the M3 Megaformer, with a wider carriage, a T-shaped front platform with a 5-inch nose extension, and additional back handles that give you more room and more exercise options. It measures 130 in long × 35 in wide × 31 in tall, with a carriage height of 16 in from the floor (330 cm × 89 cm × 79 cm, carriage 41 cm from floor) and weighs 315 lbs (143 kg). It's a great choice for studios that want to offer a more premium Lagree class experience.

M3K

The M3K is Lagree's sixth-generation Megaformer machine and comes with a near-360-degree stability bar, handles on the carriage itself for the first time in the series, and a more advanced platform with C-shaped grips. It measures 124 in long × 41 in wide × 32 in tall, with a carriage height of 17.5 in from the floor (315 cm × 104 cm × 81 cm, carriage 44 cm from floor) and weighs 305 lbs (138 kg). If you're running a studio and want the most technically advanced Lagree Megaformer experience available, the M3K is worth a serious look.

EVO

The EVO is one of the newest and most feature-rich Megaformer models in the Lagree lineup. It features the signature Ring of Fire 360-degree carriage sidebar, integrated platform handles, and the exclusive Superfast spring technology for the fastest transitions in the lineup. It measures 134 in long × 35 in wide × 32 in tall, with a carriage height of 17.5 in from the floor (340 cm × 89 cm × 81 cm, carriage 44 cm from floor) and weighs 375 lbs (170 kg). The EVO works well for both commercial studios and dedicated home users who want a top-of-the-line Lagree machine.

Microformer

The Microformer is Lagree's compact home machine, built for anyone who wants a genuine Lagree workout without the footprint of a full-size Megaformer. The fully loaded version measures 91.5 in long × 24 in wide × 6 in tall (232 cm × 61 cm × 15 cm) and weighs 98 lbs (44 kg), making it light enough to move around your home or even take outdoors. It covers all the essential Lagree moves and over 1,000 exercises in total.

Mini Pro

The Mini Pro sits between the Microformer and the full-size Lagree Megaformer in terms of size and features, and features a longer carriage designed to accommodate taller users up to 6'4" and above. The base unit measures 102 in long × 24 in wide × 7 in from floor to carriage (259 cm × 61 cm × 18 cm), or 119 in (302 cm) with the rear platform attached. The base unit weighs 200 lbs (91 kg), rising to 295 lbs (134 kg) fully loaded with front handles, back handles, and rear platform. It's a solid middle-ground option if you want more than the Microformer but don't have the space for a full commercial Megaformer machine.

So which one should you go for?

For home use, the Microformer or Miniformer are your most practical Megaformer options. you get a genuine Lagree workout without needing a huge amount of space. For boutique studio or commercial use, the M3, M3S, M3K, Mega Pro, or EVO are all strong Megaformer choices depending on your budget, your space, and the kind of Lagree class experience you want to deliver to your clients.

How to Start Training on a Megaformer

Getting started with the Lagree Megaformer is a lot less intimidating than it looks. The easiest first step is to find a local licensed Lagree studio, just head to the Lagree Fitness website and use the studio locator. Type in your zip code and you'll get a list of Lagree classes near you. Start with a beginner class and work your way up from there.

Every studio offering official Lagree classes has to be licensed by Lagree Fitness, and every instructor has to be certified through the Lagree Academy, the official training and certification program for Lagree instructors. That means wherever you walk into a Lagree class, you can count on a consistent, well-taught experience. Instructors aren't just trained in the Megaformer machine exercises, they're trained in the full philosophy behind the Lagree Method too.

How Much Do Megaformer Classes Cost?

The price of a Lagree class depends on the studio and where you're located. On average you're looking at somewhere between $25 and $40 per class. Most studios offer packages or memberships that bring the cost per session down if you're going regularly, which makes training on the Megaformer a lot more affordable over time.

Can You Buy a Megaformer for Personal Use?

Yes, Lagree Megaformer machines are available to buy for personal use. If you're a home buyer wondering how much is a Megaformer for personal use, the Microformer and Miniformer are your best starting points. They have a smaller footprint and a more manageable Lagree Megaformer price point than the full commercial models. That said, if you have the space and the budget, full-size Lagree machines like the Mega Pro or EVO are absolutely available for home installation too.

Just make sure you're prepared for the size and weight of the Megaformer machine before you order. Full-size Lagree Megaformers are serious pieces of equipment, so you'll need enough space and a floor that can handle it. The good news is that putting the Megaformer together is pretty straightforward. Your Lagree machine arrives in parts and comes with a detailed step-by-step assembly video that walks you through the whole process from start to finish.