One of my new year’s resolutions for 2025 was to try reformer pilates. I wanted to be one of those reformer girlies with the coordinating athleisure outfit and toned abs, sliding around on a dubious-looking machine, sweating but in that minimalist and sexy way.

I had only ever tried reformer pilates once before, in a beginner’s class, where it was more about learning the positions and how not to be scared of falling off the machine than it was about getting the most out of your workout.

So instead of easing myself into the immensely popular exercise, I dived straight into the deep end by signing up to a Lagree class at FORM Studios. Lagree itself is gaining popularity too – over the past year, there’s been a 2400% increase in UK Google searches for ‘Lagree studios near me’.

It’s named after creator and founder Sebastien Lagree, and has been dubbed the ‘Rolls Royce of pilates’, known for its mind-body connection. When I told my colleague I was trying it, she described it as ‘pilates on steroids’ and said it was one of the hardest workouts she’s done. Eek. 

Where the ‘Magic 10’ principles happen at FORM studios

The difference is that Lagree is done on a megaformer machine, which is like a reformer machine but a bit bigger and scarier-looking, fit with a ‘ring of fire’. The method was originally developed in Los Angeles and combines pilates with strength training for a high-intensity, low-impact, full body workout.

According to lagreefitness.com, there’s a ‘Magic 10’ principles to the workout: effective form, range of motion, tempo, duration (endurance), resistance, incline, sequence, transition, cueing and planes of motion.

The workout promises to target every muscle group while improving flexibility and cardiovascular conditioning. So I arrived early to my 50-minute class at Form Studios to face the beast, look it in the various arm and foot straps, and brace my body for an attack.

I told the instructor this was my first time, so she talked me through the machine and positions, and calmed me down by saying if I needed to stop at any point, I could.

The class began and I climbed on to the megaformer, wobbly and wondering why I chose to be so close to the mirror. Ten minutes in, my muscles were on fire, my breath fast, and I had broken into a sweat – although it was far from the sexy kind I had hoped for. ‘How on earth am I going to get through the rest of this?’ I wondered.

The megaformer machine aims to provide a full body workout

I was more used to quick, high intensity workouts, so the slow and controlled movements felt excruciatingly difficult. But once I got used to them, and made more of a conscious connection between my mind, breath and movement, it was easier to feel the flow of actions. Anyone who’s a regular yoga or pilates exercises will understand how key breathing is to help guide you through the moves.

After I got used to the fiery feeling in my muscles, I just tried my best to complete every move at a steady pace. I really liked how conscious I was of my body, and tapping into how strong I felt when I completed a sequence. It’s a reminder of your power, or potential power, when you can literally feel your different muscle groups engaging to complete a move.

By the end of the class I really did feel like I had full body workout. My arms might have been aching for a couple of days afterwards, but I must admit… I enjoyed it.

Elissa El Hadj, co-founder of FORM, spent years teaching at Sebastien Lagree’s Beverly Hills and West Hollywood studios. ‘It wasn’t uncommon to have the Hiltons, Kardashians, LA Dodgers and Victoria’s Secret Angels in my classes regularly,’ she says. Other celebrities that love the exercise include Jennifer Aniston, Meghan Markle and Michelle Obama.

After my session, I didn’t leave with the instant physique of an A-lister, but I did find myself wondering when I could go back. The smugness was a welcome bonus.