February 26, 2024

The Connection Between Lagree and Heart Health

By Danielle Rosario

When you think of Lagree, what comes to mind? Maybe something like a killer full-body workout that is highly efficient and effective in sculpting long, lean muscles? Or a great workout method for improving strength, balance, and flexibility? And if you’ve ever wondered if Lagree is good for cardio or if the Megaformer counts as cardio, well no need to wonder any further. The answer is yes — increased cardiovascular endurance is one of the many benefits of the Lagree method.

But how about heart health and Lagree? While the main reason people opt for Lagree as their go-to workout isn’t to improve their heart health, there is certainly a strong connection between heart health and exercise.  

Let’s dive into the heart of the matter today — pun fully intended — as we explore the link between fitness and heart health. And we’ll help you discover how to utilize Lagree Fitness when it comes to having a healthier heart.

The Heart of the Matter: Cardiovascular Benefits of Lagree

The list of benefits that come with Lagree is extensive and extends beyond the surface. It’s a workout that transforms your physique and puts your heart to the test. 

Sure, you’ll tone those arms and sculpt those abs, but you also get your heart pumping. Say hello to better heart health with Lagree.

The beauty of Lagree is that although it’s low-impact, it’s still high-intensity, so you get cardio plus strength and endurance training all in one. How is Lagree good for cardio when the method is focused on slow, controlled movements? Well, your muscles are under constant tension, and there’s minimal rest time during class.

Although the movements themselves aren’t fast and explosive like in other HIIT workouts, the transition time in between exercises is quick. This keeps your heart rate elevated and sparks cardiovascular growth.

But the benefits don’t stop there. The longer your heart rate is up, the more calories you burn. And not only are you torching calories while dominating those moves on the Megaformer, but you’ll continue to burn calories long after your workout. This is thanks to EPOC, excess post-exercise oxygen consumption, also called the “afterburn effect.”  

When it comes to fitness and heart health, Lagree truly is the gift that keeps on giving. 

The Science Behind the Sweat

Let’s take a further look into the science behind the connection between heart health and exercise. There’s an almost magical effect that happens when Lagree puts your heart to work. Unlike the plethora of other workouts out there, Lagree isn’t your average workout. It's a dynamic fusion of strength training and cardiovascular endurance that hits the sweet spot when it comes to your heart health.

Close your eyes and imagine this: you’re on the Megaformer. Your muscles are engaged, your heart rate is rising, and your blood circulation is getting a turbo boost. This trifecta of muscle engagement + increased heart rate +  improved blood flow = the perfect recipe for a healthy heart. 

Because Lagree combines strength training and cardiovascular exercise, your muscles and heart are called to work simultaneously in harmony. 

As you tackle Elevator lunges and feel the tremble in your core during the Bear exercise, your heart continues to work hard, pumping blood to supply oxygen to your lungs and throughout your entire body.

With increased circulation, your muscles receive a greater supply of blood, leading to higher levels of oxygen in your bloodstream. Additionally, the widening of capillaries, the small blood vessels, enables them to transport more oxygen to your tissues and remove waste more efficiently. What is the significance of this? It means that exercise can help reduce your risk of heart disease. 

The time-under-tension, or TUT, technique and controlled resistance that are utilized in Lagree help stimulate blood circulation, ultimately promoting a healthy heart. Are you starting to see how the connection between heart health and exercise is undeniable?

Lagree and Heart Rate Variability

Okay, we’ll get a bit more technical here briefly. Let’s talk about the concept of heart rate variability, or HRV. It’s simply a measure of the variation of time between each heartbeat. A part of the nervous system called the automatic nervous system, or ANS, controls this variation. The ANS sends signals to the hypothalamus, a region in the brain that constantly processes information. These signals then instruct the rest of your body to either stimulate or relax different functions. 

HRV offers a way to signal imbalances in your automatic nervous system. Think of HRV as a window that gives you insight into your heart health. A person’s HRV tends to be lower if the nervous system is in more of a fight-or-flight mode. And if the person’s system is in a more relaxed state, their HRV may be higher. 

People with higher HRV may be more resilient to stress and have greater cardiovascular fitness. 

While there’s still a lot of research to be done regarding Lagree’s impact on HRV, some findings suggest a beneficial relationship. Studies have shown that cardio combined with resistance exercise is not only effective in improving endurance and strength but also in improving HRV.

It was also concluded that HIIT workouts are the best exercise for increasing your HRV. Because Lagree includes both cardio and resistance training and falls into the high-intensity workout category, it’s a great exercise choice for those looking to improve their heart health. 

Lagree isn’t just the secret sauce for a sculpted body, but also for a healthy heart. 

We must note that more research is needed to understand the intricate relationship between Lagree and HRV fully. However, the findings thus far are undeniably promising and highlight the potential cardiovascular perks of incorporating Lagree into your fitness routine. 

Tips for a Heart-Healthy Lagree Experience

Now that you know that you can improve heart health with exercise like the Lagree method, we want to leave you with a few practical tips on maximizing the cardiovascular benefits of Lagree. Keep these in mind if you want to have a Lagree experience that is both effective and enjoyable. 

  1. Consistency — Consistency is KEY. Exercising regularly is necessary to reap the heart health benefits that come with exercise. Aim to attend a few classes a week, which will help you keep those cardiovascular perks flowing.
  2. Gradual intensity —  You always want to increase the intensity of your workouts, but that doesn’t mean going from zero to hero overnight. Gradually increase the intensity of your Lagree workouts so your heart can adapt and grow without being overworked. 
  3. Listen to your body — Your body is the ultimate shot-caller. If something doesn't feel right, take a breather. Let your body guide you on your fitness journey. Lagree is about challenging yourself rather than pushing yourself to the ultimate brink.
  4. Hydrate — Make H2O your BFF. Keep that water bottle close to the Megaformer. Staying hydrated before, during, and after your workout is essential to supporting your cardiovascular system when engaging in high-intensity workouts. 

Conclusion 

If you made it to this point, hopefully, you have no doubts about Lagree fitness being your ticket to improving heart health. Lagree is more than an amazing workout — it’s a lifestyle. It’s not only about looking good, but feeling good from the inside out. When it comes to heart health and exercise, Lagree fitness is the way to go. 

So, what are you waiting for? Grab those grippy socks and sign up for your first class! Your heart will also thank you as it falls in love with Lagree!