If you've been researching Pilates studios in Utah County, you've likely heard both "Pilates" and "Lagree" mentioned. Are they the same thing? What's a Megaformer? Why is everyone talking about ParkCore? Let's break it down.
Traditional Reformer Pilates: The Foundation
Traditional reformer Pilates, developed by Joseph Pilates in the 1920s, focuses on controlled, flowing movements that emphasize alignment, flexibility, and core strength. Reformer Pilates typically involves:
- Flowing movements: Smooth, intentional transitions between exercises
- Lower resistance: Springs provide assistance or light resistance
- Emphasis on form: Perfect execution over intensity
- Rest periods: Time to transition and reset between movements
- 45-90 minute classes: Allows for comprehensive body work
- Flexibility-focused: Builds lean, long muscles
Traditional Pilates is fantastic for building functional strength, improving posture, and increasing flexibility. However, it's not known for maximum muscle engagement or fat-burning intensity.
Enter Lagree: The Fitness Revolution
Lagree Fitness was created in 2012 by Sebastien Lagree, a fitness innovator who wanted to bridge the gap between Pilates and high-intensity strength training. The signature Lagree machine is called a Megaformer (or sometimes xFormer). Key differences:
- High resistance: Heavy spring tension creates maximum muscle engagement
- Time under tension: Slow, controlled movements (2-3 seconds down, 2-3 seconds up)
- Minimal rest: Back-to-back exercises with no breaks
- 45-minute focused workouts: Lower body, cardio, upper body in one class
- Muscle-building focus: High resistance = visible muscle definition
- Calorie burn: Often compared to spinning or HIIT in terms of intensity
Lagree classes are intense. You're working against heavy spring resistance with minimal rest, which creates serious muscle fatigue and metabolic demand. This translates to faster fat loss and visible muscle development compared to traditional Pilates.
Key Differences At a Glance
Lagree uses heavy spring resistance with minimal rest between exercises, while traditional Pilates emphasizes flowing movements with lighter resistance and recovery periods. Lagree builds visible muscle definition and maximum fat loss in 45 minutes; traditional Pilates prioritizes flexibility, functional strength, and sustainable movement patterns. Most people choose based on their primary goal: Lagree for aggressive body composition change, traditional Pilates for long-term mobility and injury prevention.
| Factor | Traditional Pilates | Lagree/Megaformer | ParkCore |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resistance Level | Light to moderate | Heavy | Moderate to heavy |
| Time Under Tension | Moderate flow | Very high (slow movements) | High (controlled intensity) |
| Rest Between Exercises | Yes (transitions) | Minimal | Strategic short breaks |
| Flexibility Focus | High | Lower | Balanced |
| Fat Loss Potential | Moderate | High | High |
| Muscle Building | Functional lean muscle | Visible muscle definition | Athletic muscle definition |
| Impact on Joints | Very low | Very low (controlled) | Very low (controlled) |
Why ParkCore Is The Best of Both Worlds
At The Park Pilates in Pleasant Grove, we developed ParkCore specifically to combine the best elements of traditional Pilates and Lagree training:
- High-intensity resistance like Lagree, but with the flowing movement patterns of Pilates
- Time under tension that builds visible muscle definition without the joint stress of heavy weights
- Full-body conditioning in 45 minutes with strategic rest periods to maintain intensity
- Flexibility and strength balance so you get results AND improved mobility
- Accessible to all levels from complete beginners to advanced athletes
The result? A workout that burns serious calories, builds athletic muscle definition, improves core strength, and protects your joints - all in one class. No need to choose between Pilates benefits and Lagree intensity. With ParkCore, you get both.
Which Is Right For You?
Choose Traditional Pilates if:
- You're recovering from injury
- Flexibility and mobility are your primary goals
- You prefer a slower-paced, meditative workout
- You want functional movement patterns
Choose Lagree/Megaformer if:
- You want maximum muscle definition and fat loss
- You thrive on high-intensity workouts
- You're looking for visible results in 4-8 weeks
- You have no joint limitations
Choose ParkCore (The Park Pilates) if:
- You want the best of both worlds
- You want high intensity with controlled movement quality
- You want to build muscle AND improve flexibility
- You want sustainable, long-term results
- You want to love your workout (fun music, great community)
The Science: Why ParkCore Works
The muscle-building mechanism is simple: resistance + time under tension = muscle adaptation. ParkCore optimizes both:
- Moderate-to-heavy resistance (like Lagree) triggers muscle fiber recruitment
- Controlled tempo (like Pilates) extends time under tension
- Strategic rest periods allow intensity maintenance across all exercises
- Full-body circuit format elevates heart rate for cardiovascular benefit
The result is that research shows high-resistance, moderate-duration workouts (like ParkCore) create excellent fat loss while preserving or building muscle - better than pure cardio or pure strength training alone.
Cost Comparison
One other major difference: pricing. Lagree classes in Utah typically cost $30-$35 per class or $250-$350 monthly. Traditional Pilates often costs $20-$25 per class. The Park Pilates offers unlimited ParkCore classes for just $259/month - giving you Lagree-level intensity at traditional Pilates pricing. That's exceptional value for the results you'll see.
Where to Find Lagree-Style Training in Utah County
If you're searching for Lagree, Megaformer, or high-intensity Pilates in Utah County, here's what's actually available:
Solidcore is the largest licensed Lagree franchise nationally and has announced a Salt Lake City location coming in 2026. Their classes use the official Megaformer machine with Lagree-branded programming at 50 minutes per class. If you want the official Lagree experience, you'll need to drive to SLC once they open. Expect pricing around $35-$40 per class.
inTension Pilates is opening in Orem in early 2026 with XFormer machines - a Lagree-adjacent apparatus that delivers similar slow, high-resistance movement. This will be the closest methodological match to Lagree in Utah County proper.
The Park Pilates in Pleasant Grove offers ParkCore, which delivers Lagree-level intensity on reformer machines using the same principles: slow 4-second movements, heavy spring resistance, time-under-tension training, and zero rest between exercises. The key advantages? It's in Utah County (no SLC commute), caps classes at 8 people (compared to 12-16 at most Lagree studios), and costs $259/month unlimited versus $300+ at Lagree-licensed studios.
| Factor | Solidcore (SLC) | inTension (Orem) | ParkCore (Pleasant Grove) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Machine | Megaformer | XFormer | Reformer (heavy springs) |
| Class Size | 12-16 | TBD | Max 8 |
| Class Length | 50 min | TBD | 45 min |
| Location | Salt Lake City | Orem | Pleasant Grove |
| Unlimited Pricing | ~$300+/mo | TBD | $259/mo |
| Status | Coming 2026 | Opening early 2026 | Open now |
Bottom line: If you want the Lagree experience right now in Utah County without a 45-minute drive to SLC, ParkCore at The Park delivers comparable intensity with smaller class sizes and better value.
Ready to Experience ParkCore?
If you're in Utah County and ready to experience the perfect blend of high-intensity strength training and controlled Pilates movement, The Park Pilates is waiting for you. We serve Pleasant Grove, American Fork, Lehi, Orem, Provo, and all surrounding areas.
Your first class is designed to build confidence - our instructors will guide you through modifications and progressions. You'll feel challenged, not overwhelmed. And you'll understand why our members are seeing the body composition changes they've always wanted in just 4-8 weeks.
Stop choosing between intensity and sustainability. Experience ParkCore at The Park Pilates and get the best of both worlds.
About the Author
Dillen Erb is Co-Founder of The Park Pilates in Pleasant Grove and holds a B.S. in Exercise Science. He designs the ParkCore programming that combines the best of traditional Pilates and high-intensity training for sustainable, visible results. Located in Pleasant Grove, serving American Fork, Lehi, Orem, and all of Utah County.