I Tried Pilates for 30 Days to Boost My Squat PR—Here's What Happened
I Tried Pilates for 30 Days to Boost My Squat PR—Here's What Happened originally appeared on Men's Fitness.
Men's Fitness aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.
Pilates is all the rage these days. But for the guys who think it's just for the girls, let us introduce you to Lagree: a method that looks like Pilates, but is a whole different beast—blending bodybuilding exercises, progressive overload, and high-intensity moves.
Trust us, Lagree workouts will leaving your muscles shaking and your ego humbled.
As someone who usually sticks to heavy lifts at the gym, I didn't expect this type of training to have an impact on my strength in the squat rack. But after 30 days on the Lagree Micro Pro, I walked away with better mobility, improved stability, and yes, a stronger squat.
I'm no powerlifter, but I did manage to boost my one-rep max from 185 pounds to 205 pounds—a goal I'd been chasing for months—after just a few weeks of consistent cross-training with the Micro Pro.
Even if you don't know what Lagree is, you'll probably recognize its trademark piece of equipment, the Megaformer—a long, spring-loaded machine with platforms on each end and a gliding carriage in the middle. It resembles a Pilates reformer, but is designed for higher-intensity training.
Sebastien Lagree is the creator of the Lagree Method. He developed the method in the early 2000s to create a workout that builds strength, stability, and muscular endurance without the wear and tear of traditional weightlifting.
Today, the Lagree Method is used in hundreds of fitness studios worldwide and continues to evolve with new equipment and training styles.
"It prevents you from using momentum and cheating the work in the movement. Moving slower is less impactful and less inflammatory on the connective tissue and the joints," he says about the movements programmed in Lagree workouts.
Lagree and Pilates might look similar at first glance—they both use spring-loaded machines and focus on control—but they're built for very different goals.
Lagree fuses bodybuilding principles with high-intensity, low-impact training, using progressive overload and slow, grueling movements to build muscular endurance.
Pilates, on the other hand, is lower intensity and doesn't emphasize overload, focusing more on alignment and gentle control than fatigue.
The Micro Pro is a smaller version of Lagree's classic Megaformer, designed for users who want a more permanent, elevated setup at home. While it doesn't need to be bolted down, it's best suited for a dedicated workout space since it's not the easiest machine to move around.
Lagree workouts should be done barefoot or in grip socks for greater traction and control. And while the Micro Pro is smaller than traditional reformers, it's still on the heavier side and not easily portable, making it best placed in a permanent area.
The tempo of the movements are intentionally slow to keep your muscles under tension and push them to fatigue. Form, balance, and stability are everything here, so if you rush or lose control, you're not getting the full benefit and could risk injury.
Even when you're targeting a specific muscle group, your entire body—especially your core and stabilizers—is working the whole time. Unlike traditional strength training, Lagree doesn't rely on heavy weights, but instead uses resistance springs and precise movement to overload your muscles.
The Micro Pro comes with four resistance springs, but accessories like handles—useful for balance—and the rear platform are sold separately. It also sits low to the ground, so if you prefer a higher setup for accessibility or comfort, you'll need to buy the lift kit.
The setup is simple and straightforward, as the Micro Pro arrives mostly pre-assembled. Lagree also offers a number of helpful instructional videos on their YouTube channel and website to guide you through the process.
To get started, you'll attach the front platform to the base using screws, and the grip handles clip onto loops on the base via carabiners. After that, you just need to load the springs, and you're ready to go.
Lagree On Demand offers a vast library of online workouts, exercise breakdowns, and courses. Whether you're looking for full-body routines or specific muscle-targeting exercises, there's something for every fitness level. Lagree On Demand is available for $3.99 per week, $9.99 per month, or $99.99 for the year.
The spring resistance on the Lagree MicroPro is a key factor in customizing your workout. The machine comes with four springs, each offering different levels of resistance to adjust the intensity of your movements. To get the most out of your workout, it's important to understand the spring settings: a lighter resistance is ideal for endurance-focused moves, while heavier resistance will challenge your strength and stability.
Overall, the Lagree Micro Pro is a serious piece of equipment packed into a compact design. It delivers a brutal, full-body workout that emphasizes slow, controlled movements to build muscular endurance, core strength, and stability.
The Micro Pro is especially great if you're looking to switch up your exercise routine or break through a strength plateau. The focus on muscular endurance, stability, and time under tension makes it a solid complement to traditional weightlifting or cardio.
Most of us don't get nearly enough stability or balance work—and those are some of the first things to decline as we age. The Micro Pro forces you into this underutilized training through core engagement and intentional movements.
While it takes some getting used to—especially if you're coming from traditional lifting—the intensity is no joke, and the results speak for themselves. The on-demand workouts are convenient and well-structured, and the machine itself is sturdy and well-built.
That said, it's not cheap, not very portable, and some key accessories are sold separately. But if you're looking for a home workout option that challenges you in a new way, the Micro Pro delivers.
Low-impact and joint-friendly: Great for people with joint issues or those who want to avoid high-impact training all together.
Builds muscular endurance: The slow tempo and constant tension shock your muscles in a different way if you're used to lifting weights or cardio-heavy workouts.
Versatile workout options: You can target your legs, core, glutes, and upper-body with one machine.
Progressive overload built-in: The different springs allow you to increase resistance as you get stronger or decrease for a modification.
Steep learning curve: The slow, controlled pace and unique movements can take time to master—especially if you're a beginner.
Limited load for strength gains: While great for endurance and stability, it may not fully replace heavy resistance training for strength or hypertrophy goals.
Requires balance and stability: Many moves demand coordination and control, which can be challenging without guidance.
Heavy and difficult to move: While compact, it's relatively heavy and can be a hassle to move around, making it less portable than other Lagree reformers.
Dimensions: 78″ x 18.5″ x 6″
Weight: 103 lbs
Price: $1,990
I've taken countless in-person reformer classes and used to coach group fitness classes myself, so I'm no stranger to how different methods can affect strength, mobility, and overall performance.
My experience spans across a wide range of fitness techniques, and I've seen firsthand how the right kind of cross-training can make a noticeable impact, whether you're a seasoned lifter or just starting out.I Tried Pilates for 30 Days to Boost My Squat PR—Here's What Happened first appeared on Men's Fitness on Jun 2, 2025
This story was originally reported by Men's Fitness on Jun 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Tom's Guide
a day ago
- Tom's Guide
No, not planks — I swapped them for Pilates push-ups, and my core and arms feel strong and stable
Recently, I crossed over to the not-so-dark side and put down my barbells in favor of an exercise routine I never thought I'd take up in my lifetime — reformer Pilates. It's not that I hate reformer — I think it's great, but I've just never really enjoyed it. However the change of heart all started when I was experiencing personal stress, and the thought of heading to my local CrossFit gym suddenly felt a little overwhelming. I always tell clients to listen to their bodies, especially in times of stress, and it turns out mine was telling me it didn't want high-impact exercise right now. With that in mind, I listened and decided to switch to lower intensity for a while (more on that another time) and Pilates felt like a natural and positive switch. What I'm getting to is that I found a few new exercises that I hadn't experienced before, and one of those exercises is the Pilates push-up. Now, like every movement in the fitness world, I'm sure there are many variations out there, but this one is killer on the upper body and great for spine mobility. Here's how to do it, and why I've been specifically swapping out planks and standard push-ups in favor of them. It's time to roll out one of the best yoga mats and give it a try. Aligned Pilates posted the above demonstration video a few years ago, when I was in the thick of barbell snatching rather than mat work. In the video, Carmen says the Pilates push-up usually occurs at the end of mat work, and can be started whenever you feel strong enough to put weight on your wrists. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Here's how to do it: Once you've performed a few rounds, add the push-up by bending your elbows and lowering your chest toward the ground. Gradually increase the number of push-ups you can do in this position before walking back in. Carmen explains that she can't reach her chest to the ground, but she keeps her elbows close to her body and spine lengthened throughout, lowering as far as her strength allows. Over time, you should find your chest gets closer to the floor, which is what we want to ideally see during push-ups. There's a triple whammy effect of the Pilates push-up: firstly, the rolling stretch targets the spine and the back of the body as you roll down to the floor and back up again while standing, which is a brilliant way to mobilize the spine and stretch the lower back and hamstrings. Next, you can add the benefits of inchworms, which activate your core muscles and stretch the hamstrings as you walk in and out of the high plank position. From the plank, you'll benefit from the upper-body strengthening effects of the push-up, which targets the front of the shoulders (the anterior deltoids), pectorals and triceps, especially with the narrow arm position. Your core also works here to keep the body (particularly the hips) stable and spine long while you move your chest up and down. In other words: full-body benefits. It's one move, but it has the power to stretch, strengthen, lengthen and activate. I would use push-ups as an accessory to perhaps my row or bench press in the gym during a strength program. But given I've been looking to nourish my body with gentler movement recently, this is the perfect way to add push-ups to my routine while moving more slowly and rhythmically. It allows me to take my time, spend a few breaths in each position and slowly add reps to the push-ups. Moreover, I get to use the Pilates push-up either as a cool-down or warm-up drill to activate my whole body before an upper-body focused workout, moving my spine, legs and arms through a proper range of motion that helps open and stretch. I particularly like the reach of the fingertips to the ceiling while standing, which feels like the type of stretch you do when you first wake up in the morning, then the release in my mid to lower back as I roll down and touch my fingertips to the floor, moving into my tight and sore hamstrings. Then, I still get to strengthen my upper body using the inchworm, plank and push-up positions, just with a little extra juice to squeeze. During this part of the exercise, I focus on purposely scooping my belly inward and drawing my shoulder blades apart to hollow out my upper body and generate tension in my core, which feels more active than it would during standard push-ups, making this feel more like a core exercise, too. Want to give it a try? Follow the video above closely for the comprehensive step-by-step instructions. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
LeBron James' Pilates Workout With Savannah Sparks Hilarious Reactions From Fans
LeBron James' Pilates Workout With Savannah Sparks Hilarious Reactions From Fans originally appeared on Fadeaway World. Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James has had quite an eventful offseason, but that hasn't stopped the forward from getting his work in. In a recent video, James was joined by his wife, Savannah, for a Pilates workout. Professional athletes engage in multiple forms of exercise to maintain and improve their performance. From weight lifting and drills to more esoteric practices, high-performance athletes are known to find alternatives to supplement traditional training methods. In this regard, Pilates workouts are extremely effective, especially for developing core strength and flexibility, necessary elements in an intense sport like basketball. Even at 40 years old, James continues to display a commitment to his body, partaking in different forms of exercise to stay ready for the regular season. Unfortunately, his attempt at maintaining his fitness hasn't received the same kind of admiration from fans. With several fans reacting to the video on social media, here are some of the most notable responses shared on X. "I know a guy trying to save his marriage when I see one," speculated one fan. "Brother is literally doing everything he can to keep half of his assets, knowing damn good and well, she won't divorce until his final season NBA and he's purchased the NBA team," added another. "Getting a head start on his retirement activities," shared one fan. A fan addressed the benefits of the workout and said, "This kinda work hella contributes to Bron's longevity. Pilates is a great workout." Another acknowledged the difficulty of the workout and claimed, "I know my body woulda been snap crackle and poppin in that mf." "Lmfao bro golfing, doin Pilates with wifey… yeah retirement is righttttttttt around the corner," added one fan. "Kobe would never do this," stated one user bluntly. "Man, my GOAT never gets tired. How tf does he do it?" said one fan. "NO OFFSEASON FOR THE KING," responded another. "Next season flops are going to be so graceful," joked another. The general tone appears to be skeptical, but the upcoming season could be promising for James and the Lakers. Despite the early offseason drama involving trade and buyout rumors, it has become more apparent that James will remain with the team this season. To support this, Lakers star Luka Doncic has also expressed his wish to have the 40-year-old be a part of the franchise and eventually retire as a Laker. With the forward locked in with the team, the Purple and Gold boast a solid roster with a lot of potential to be competitive. Having made some key additions in the offseason, the Lakers have added necessary depth in multiple positions. On the verge of entering his 23rd campaign, James remains one of the most productive players in the league. Last season, he recorded an average of 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game. It is unlikely that he will sustain the same degree of production in the upcoming season. However, history has shown that doubting James' capabilities is a risky proposition. With an eye on the championship, James and the Lakers will hope to mount a title story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Aug 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
Tom's Guide
3 days ago
- Tom's Guide
I'm a personal trainer who doesn't have a six-pack — 4 reasons they're so hard to build (and why you shouldn't care)
No, you're not lazy because you don't have a six-pack; there are multiple reasons you might not see yours, and it shouldn't (and doesn't) matter. I'm a personal trainer, and even at my leanest, I have never been the proud owner of a six-pack, but that doesn't mean I'm not fit and healthy, or that I don't have a strong core. I eat well most of the time, prioritize protein and rest days and train roughly four times a week, including running, yoga, Pilates and weightlifting. Six-packs are, unless you are genetically wired for them, pretty hard work to build and maintain, and are the painstaking result of low body fat percentage and lots and lots of ab workouts. For many people (me included), they might not always be attainable — unless you really, really want them. Am I lazy? No. Could I be leaner? Yes. But I will still never own a six-pack, and trust me, it really doesn't matter or reflect how fit and healthy you are. Here are four reasons they're tough to build, and how to get past the barriers if you want to. First, building a strong core is the most important goal when thinking about your core muscles in general, as this can help you move better, protect your pelvis and spine and help you avoid injury, lift heavier and withstand impact better — all of these benefits are functional rather than aesthetic. But let's talk abs versus core muscles for a moment. Your core refers to an entire network of muscles, not just one group, known as the rectus abdominis, or the abs, which exist amongst many core muscles. The abs muscles help flex your trunk and keep your pelvis stable; they run down the front of your stomach and are better known as the six-pack. Although this muscle group sits nearer the top of the skin than your deeper stabilizing muscle groups, they can still only be seen when your body fat percentage is low enough to show them. And given that we all store fat differently, this is easier for some than others to achieve. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Yes, you can build abs, but strengthening a muscle group and growing it are two different training concepts, so I recommend learning the difference between hypertrophy and strength training first. Here are just a few reasons abs are so hard to see. Nowadays, we know that fueling your body is a much more unique experience than hitting a guideline generated by a corporation. And with that knowledge, we can tailor our diets to our needs. Your diet as a whole matters not just for fat loss, maintenance, or weight gain, but also health and wellbeing, and should include balanced macronutrients (fat, carbs and protein), micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) and fiber. But if you're unsure whether your diet is serving you right now, calculating your macros could help. Protein is the macronutrient you'll need to focus on most to fuel your body for muscle growth and recovery, as it helps support both. With regard to how much protein you need to build muscle, that number depends on you and your lifestyle, plus how often you exercise. If having a six-pack is the goal and you don't have one yet, you might want to think about moving into a fat-loss phase while maintaining high-protein meals for muscle. So, as you can see, it takes some thinking! As a personal trainer, I don't recommend counting calories for sustained periods because, for some people, it can have a damaging effect on their mindset and approach to food. But, if your goal is to find your six-pack, taking a closer look at your diet for potential tweaks could help you. Sometimes it's easy to get fixated on diet and exercise and forget that it's your overall energy expenditure throughout the day that will prime you toward fat loss, which occurs when the body is in a calorie deficit. If your diet and exercise routine are on point, are you active enough? That means moving more often and finding more ways to move, like playing with the kids, carrying groceries home from the store, or working while standing, for example. This relates to Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis, or NEAT, and can help you burn more calories without overdoing it in the gym or eating less. While prioritizing NEAT can help you expend more energy, movement should feel good and not forced. A daily walk can be mindful, and moving more often can improve mental strength and help you unwind. It shouldn't feel like a punishment, though, and factoring in rest is just as important for wellbeing and recovery. A recent study suggests that stress can be a leading contributor to workout plateaus. Sustained raised levels of cortisol (the 'stress hormone') can also lead to an increase in fat storage, particularly around the midsection, known as 'cortisol belly," and this is more prevalent in women than men. Finding ways to manage stress through mindful practices like movement, exercise, or breathwork can be useful, and many of the best smart rings and fitness trackers can help monitor your cortisol levels, heart rate and blood pressure for signs that your body may not be coping. Reducing stress rather than focusing on eliminating it entirely could help you feel better within yourself, improve sleep hygiene and cope better with daily life, but you might find a secondary impact could be that you find it easier to lose weight. Has someone ever said to you that they don't work out, and yet they have a sculpted body seemingly without a shred of fat on them? There's something in that, other than young age. Genetics plays a role in how easy or difficult you find it to lose weight. Some people may be gifted with a faster resting metabolism, which means they might have a little more freedom in how they eat or move. For others, health conditions, including metabolic disorders, could make it harder to lose weight and keep it off. Your genetics might also play a role in how or where you store fat. If this all sounds familiar, it's worth learning the difference between body fat percentage and body fat mass to help you decide which matters more to you (if either), but if you don't need to lose fat for medical reasons, then body fat mass will matter far less. That doesn't mean you're stuck with your lot; it just means it might take a bit more of a focused effort to reach your goals. In which case, checking out my handy guide on body recomposition (losing fat and building muscle) can help you decide if the journey is for you. The above are just a few of many reasons why you may not see muscle definition in your midsection, and while tweaking one or more of them could help you get there, remember that you can still be fit, strong and healthy without a six-pack, and it doesn't indicate that you're any less capable in the gym. We all look different, and that's a good thing!
