Hey Burpees to Bubbly readers! We made it more than halfway through the week- woohoo! It’s been a pretty busy week back since my mini vacation in Maine for the 4th of July, but it’s been all fun things so I can’t really complain!

A few weeks ago, I was contacted by someone asking if I would like to try a class at The Studio Empower in Newton. After reading Athena’s review of the class she took at The Studio Empower and gchatting with her about it, I had been dying to get there to try a class. My only problem was that it was in Newton and I live in Somerville, aka, it was a bit of a hike to take a class (I know, just a stupid excuse). Well, when I was presented with the opportunity to take a class to review, I decided it was a sign that I needed to get there!

Between my teaching schedule, traveling schedule and being really sick, it was hard to find a time that worked. Luckily, Monday worked for the studio and for me, so I attended the 6:30pm class with Fi, who was a super bubbly Irish lady. Since I was the first to get there and there was time before the class started, Fi walked me through the different moves and exercises that we would be doing during the class. She explained the machines and discussed the different progression levels and gave me the overall background of the class she was going to teach. Sebastien Lagree is an LA Celebrity trainer who designed the Lagree Fitness, which is basically a REALLY intense Pilates (for a lack of a better comparison) class that can be adapted to all levels. It’s high intensity, but low impact, which is perfect for someone like me who is constantly jumping and running during my classes.

I was told that the machines used at The Studio Empower are called the Megaformer, M3 and I’ll be honest, I was totally intimidated by the machines at first! I mean, look at this thing!

Straps, handles, springs, movable carriage. I was sure I was going to eat it at some point throughout the class, but I managed to survive injury and fall free! Since I teach and have been working out for years, I didn’t have much trouble with the form, but SLOWING DOWN and creeping through the exercises was definitely the hardest part. My legs were shaking and burning within the first 5 minutes of class and I think we can all agree that when this happens, we often want to rush to get through the moves, right? Well, in this class Fi was constantly reminding us to slow down and really visualize every muscle that was working to push the carriage out and control the carriage as it was coming back in. This helped me immensely and by the end, I found myself having an easier time working as slowly as I should be.

Throughout the class we worked everything: legs, core, arms. And when I thought I couldn’t do another lunge, we did more. Oof. It was awesome! The 45 minutes flew by and I found myself wishing we had more time… I am a crazy person! I feel like I barely brushed the surface of the true Megaformer, 3 Lagree Fitness experience, so I am itching to get back and try more classes and learn more moves. It was so nice to slowww down and walk out feeling like a rubbery noodle without having done any crazy cardio or weight training. My poor joints need more classes like this!

As I mentioned, the classes, although high intensity and challenging, can be adapted to any level, so don’t fear that you’re not strong enough to do the exercises! Just in the class I took, there were 4 of us who were all at very different levels. Fi did a wonderful job of  walking around and giving each one of us personal comments/corrections and encouraging us to push ourselves, but also offering modifications for anyone needed it. If you’re bored with your current workouts and looking for something to spice things up and remind you that you have loads of muscles you likely have forgotten about, head over to The Studio Empower in Newton. I can promise you that you will NOT regret it.

Questions for you: Have you ever been to a class at The Studio Empower? What’s the most challenging part for you when you do a workout like this? Do you attend Pilates classes?