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.
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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.
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