LAGREE V.S. PILATES

“Comparing Lagree to Pilates is similar to

One of the most commonly asked questions remains, “What is the difference between Lagree and Pilates?” In reality, the question should be, “At this point, are there any similarities between Lagree and Pilates?” In short, there are little to no similarities between the two very different styles of exercise.

Time Under Tension refers to the amount of time a muscle is placed under load or strained during a set. For a body builder, a set of 10 reps should take 15-25 seconds to complete depending on the speed of the lift. Lagree, however, calls for sets to be between 1-2 minutes. This lengthier amount of time demands more from the muscles for a longer amount of time, creating better and quicker results.

Lagree requires that each rep take 8 or more seconds and without any amount of momentum. This ensures little to no risk for injury, and muscles do more metabolic work per unit of time than they would moving fast. In addition, participants often see quicker improvements in strength due to the extended amount of time muscles are placed under tension. This method is useful for beginners as well as it allows them to “wake” muscles that are not accustomed to traditional movements.

Lagree places an equal emphasis on balance as it does on strength and flexibility. This is because most injuries take place when unexpected forces are encountered. By learning how to balance and incorporating balancing exercises into exercise routines, participants can both prevent and heal from injuries, chronic back pain, and other issues. In addition, expedited results dictate that balance training is more effective and efficient than strength training methods.

Lagree places a great importance on isometric exercise, which means muscles experience static, ongoing contraction while joints remain unmoved. In most cases, these types of exercises are completed with an immovable object such as a wall. Results have proven this type of resistance tones and strengthens muscles without altering the length of muscle fibers.

Lagree utilizes supersets in each workout, which enforces a succession of 2 or more sets of exercise that each target the same muscle group. This allows participants to save time, increase intensity, and take muscles to failure safely and without the need for a spotter.

Lagree places a large emphasis on circuit training which means participants move quickly from one exercise to the next for a prescribed number of sets or time limit. This allows participants to achieve both cardiovascular and strength benefits as the heart, lungs, and muscle groups are concurrently working. This method allows participants to achieve the best results in the least amount of time.

Lagree uses a method referred to as Antagonist Muscle Contraction. In order for antagonist muscle contraction to occur, a set of exercises must demand work from both the antagonist and agonist muscles, and when one muscle contracts, the opposite must relax. (Example: When the bicep contracts to lift the arm, the tricep relaxes.) This allows participants to strengthen joints in order to prevent injury and reduce osteoarthritic pain.

Lagree places a large emphasis on specificity, which means ensuring each exercise is specific to the type of strength required for each class. For this reason, Lagree instructors should have knowledge of the main types of muscular activity associated with each class, the pattern of movements involved, and the amount of strength required for each movement. While Lagree acknowledges specificity is important, each class will include exercises of general nature to create metabolic response. While such exercises, such as squats, lunges, and push-ups, may not closely relate to specific athletic events, they promote balanced muscular development and provide a foundation for more advanced exercises.

Lagree ensures participants constantly improve their strength, form, and muscle tone. To do that, participants must overload their muscles as muscles will only strengthen when they are forced to move beyond the intensity they are accustomed to. In order to do this, participants are required to increase resistance, time spent, intensity, or the number of sets. Slowing movements, incorporating additional movements, and reducing recovery periods will also allow participants to overload their muscles in order to achieve results in a quicker amount of time.

Lagree creates more nerve endings by asking the participant to be present and focus on the control of each movement by focusing on the muscles working during each exercise. This connection ensures the creation of more neuromuscular pathways, which results in increased sensitivity and strength.