Are you looking for a workout that is challenging, yet fun, and gives you fast and noticeable results, but is still gentle on your body? Aren’t we all? Although, it might sound too good to be true, there is a workout that seems to ‘have it all’. It has been praised by both athletes and health gurus, as well as weekend warriors and beginners. Although extremely intense and tough, this workout really does seem to appeal to pretty much everyone. So, whether you are tired of your old routine and are looking for a new type of workout this season, or perhaps want to start working out after a long pause but haven’t found something fun and effective yet, my biggest tip is to try a Megaformer workout. If you give it a go, I can guarantee it will transform both your body and workout routine, and you will find it very hard to go back to whatever you did before.

The Megaformer workouts are part of the Lagree Fitness method, developed by Sebastien Lagree in 2005 in Los Angeles. You train with a tool called a Megaformer, which is a bit similar to the Reformer tool in Pilates. The Megaformer has a sliding carriage, different handles and resistance bands. All movements on the Megaformer are performed in a slow and controlled manner, and it works on your whole body, with a lot of focus on your core. It is a full body workout that is non-impact, yet high intensity and simultaneously incorporates and combines strength, endurance, core, flexibility, balance and cardio. The movements are often built upon a plank, squat or lounge with different variations. Some benefits of a Megaformer workout are increased muscular strength and endurance, increased bone mineral density and metabolic rate, improved body composition, and better balance of extrinsic and intrinsic strength. Other positive effects are weight loss, reduced stress, enhanced flexibility and (our favourite word) balance, as well as better upper and lower body coordination.

I talked to Hélène Barkman, the founder and CEO of the boutique fitness studio BECORE in Stockholm (where they offer Megaformer workouts), and asked her some questions about her amazing studios and why she loves this form of exercise. BECORE’s Megaformer workouts have been the talk of the town since their start, and have become so popular that BECORE is now opening its third location in Stockholm City in September.

What are some benefits with the Megaformer workouts?

It is so efficient because you are working so many muscle groups at the same time with constant tension, it simultaneously incorporates cardiovascular and resistance training. You will get stronger, leaner and more sculpted!

When do people normally start seeing results? 

We say that you normally need three to four times to get over the beginners’ hurdle, and after around six times you will notice results and feel stronger. And this is when you normally become hooked!

Can anyone do it?

Yes! It may take a few times to get it but really anyone can join. Our clients range from 16 to 80 years old, and the beauty of it you can come to the same class! You always work according to your very own prerequisites.

Tips for anyone who wants to try?

Don’t give up after the first time! It is hard work, but once you have pushed yourself through the first few classes you will never have felt better.

How did you start BECORE? What’s the story behind the studios?

I fell in love with the Megaformer workout when I was living in London, and it first came from Los Angeles. I’d never found a traditional gym or class that had worked for me, and became completely hooked as I quickly saw results and felt stronger than ever before.

After 13 years in London and a career in sales and marketing, it was time to move back home to Sweden with our young family. There were no boutique fitness studios in Stockholm then and since I missed the classes so much I decided to open up my own. A place where you can get a fantastic workout, in an inspiring setting but with no membership. As we have grown the community has grown with us, and now we are proud being part of people’s lifestyle where coming to the studio is as much for the classes as for the community.

I first tried it about a year ago and have been hooked since. After having heard nothing but incredible things about it, I tried my first class at BECORE in Stockholm with a friend, and immediately got blown away. I have been working out all my life and have always considered myself to be quite fit. However, that was something I really started to question after my first class, and wondered if there were muscles in my body that I have actually never used? It was so tough. But in such a great and motivating way. It is definitely true, you have to give it a few classes but then you feel incredible. Although my first time was tough, I quickly understood that it was easy to modify the workout to everyone’s own level. That is why it suits everyone, beginners as well as experts. You will always be able to find a level of intensity that suits you, which is something I think is key for a successful and sustainable workout routine. It has to feel manageable in the beginning, but also challenging enough after a few months of practice.

Another reason why a Megaformer workout is so fantastic and suitable for many is because it is a high intensity low impact workout, which means that there is a very low risk of injuries. You can do it even if you have old hip or knee injuries, if you have scoliosis, and even if you are pregnant. The fact that the goal is to do each movement as slowly as possible, makes it extra challenging and really shows that high-paced workouts aren’t necessarily tougher, in fact it’s the contrary in this case. I have previously done a lot of high intensity workouts, such as boxing, running and soccer, but have become more mindful and careful when it comes to injuries over the years, and especially now that I’ve have become a Yoga and Barre instructor myself and know how easy we can hurt our joints and muscles. The recovery is often both painful and long; hence, exercises that are gentle and kind towards our bodies are essential for a sustainable and successful workout routine.

The Megaformer have definitely changed my life, workout routine and body. After a couple of months of training, I could definitely feel and see results. The stability in my core had increased a lot, and I could feel that my whole body felt much stronger than before. Probably stronger than it had ever been. This in turn, made the workout even more addictive since my body was able to do more of the movements and I was able to go through the class in a smoother and easier flow. Although I love other forms of workouts as well, such as running and yoga, discovering the Megaformer has definitely made me realise that I will probably never go to the gym again like I did before, and prioritising 50 minutes at BECORE will always be very high up on my list.

Passionate about health and nutrition, Matilde Wergeland is a Holistic Health Coach, Pilates Instructor and Reiki Healer in Stockholm at her own coaching clinic, Health by M, as well as being one of Nordic Wellth’s head Health Coaches. If you’re looking for a Megaformer workout in the UK check out studiolagree.com