Many people ask if there’s any other exercise I do besides Lagree Fitness. I really do like to run! But, there’s a but… Running has always been a “go to” workout for me. It allows me to get outside and get my heart rate up. I used to be an avid runner – BUT – I had to stop due to pain in my knees. Lagree helped me return to running. In fact, Lagree Fitness is one of thee best workouts for runners!
My best friend is a physical therapist. She told me that my knee pain might be resolved with a little strength training. I needed to build a stronger running support system to protect my knees, hips and lower back. Weak abdominal and weak gluteus muscles lead to breaks in running form and injury. She explained to me that running requires you to perform the same movement over and over. This repetition leads to the over development of certain muscle groups, mainly the quadriceps and low back. This causes the quadriceps and low back to become stronger than the hamstrings and the rest of the core. As a result, runners will often develop unilateral weaknesses which can result in injury.
At that point in my life, strength training was so far from what I enjoyed doing that I blew it off. But, then I discovered Lagree Fitness and sure enough, those cardio-lengthen-strengthen-slow twitch-muscle-burning-exercise combos worked and got me running again!
There are an infinite number of Lagree exercises and movements that help strengthen those slow-twitch muscle fibers. From working the calves, hamstrings, quadriceps, and glutes, these muscles will help contribute to strength gains! With all the different exercises you begin to work muscles on all planes, not just in forward propulsion. This helps you develop all the muscles you need to stay strong and avoid injury. Lagree Fitness incorporates balance, endurance, flexibility, all while building strength from the core.
Each and every exercise on the patented Megaformer is full body, activating hundreds of muscles in one single move. Lagree focuses on that slow “1, 2, 3, 4” count, tapping into the resistance-based movement. This stimulates slow twitch, fat burning, endurance muscle fibers. The goal is slow and controlled with quick transitions between exercises. When we allow the muscles to breathe mid-move, SP Trainer Kerri likes to say , “Sebastian cries a little” 😉 . We don’t want the founder of Lagree in tears or our muscles resting during exercises. We want to burn out those muscles, creating optimum stimulation for long, lean bodies fit for endurance. This helps with running and any other type of endurance workout or sport! Lagree Fitness is the perfect way to improve how the body stays energized and utilizes oxygen.
Throughout our 50-minute class, we spend a majority of the time focusing on large muscle groups in the legs. We sequence our routines to work the legs in many different ways, from many angles with a variety of resistance. From light lunging to heavy pressing exercises, Lagree strengthens ALL the leg muscles. Interestingly, as we lunge or squat on the Megaformer, we are actually building our core as well. In our plank-based and oblique moves, our shoulders and arms are also activated. As we kneel on our carriage and perform upper body exercises, we again strengthen our core. By increasing core strength, we reduce the impact of running on the lower back and ensure greater running efficiency, alignment and balance. Lagree Fitness 3 times a week will primarily help build strong muscles, but secondarily you will also improve your posture. Better posture will actually facilitate better form and easier breathing during running.
Runner’s World magazine even names Lagree Fitness one of the “10 Best Fitness Classes for Runners”! California-based personal trainer Mike Donavanik adds in this article, “The stronger your core, the more controlled you’ll be while running.”
https://www.runnersworld.com/workouts/10-best-fitness-classes-for-runners/slide/1
So, if you love running BUT your joints and back are aching, the low-impact, joint-friendly back-strengthening Lagree Fitness workouts at Studio Physique might just be your ticket to continue running, pain-free.
Ashley is a Vascular ICU nurse, Lagree Fitness devotee, dedicated runner and an awesome Studio Physique trainer!