“This is gonna be a special kind of sore,” said my friend of 25 years through gritted teeth and a forced smile.

I doubled over in a fit of laughter, disrupting class and earning side glances from the instructor.

Completely unprofessional, disruptively, and quite frankly rudely, I couldn’t pull myself together.

A truly special kind of experience

My fitness goals for 2018 are to try one new fitness medium per month.  January took me to Bounce Fit Club. Read more about my experience here. The smiles and sweat were genuine and I left on an endorphin high.

February was a little different. If the goal was to challenge myself in new ways, goal met. If the goal was to leave feeling successful and empowered in my new movement … ehhhh.

I noticed HIP Fitness while driving in a new-to-me part of Houston several months ago. HIP stands for High-Intensity Pilates. “Hmmm,” I thought. “How does one mix high intensity and pilates?”

Surprisingly, the answer is very slowly.  

Premise of High Intensity Pilates (HIP)

HIP is founded on the Lagree Fitness™ method. I’d never heard of it until I saw it plastered on the facility’s wall. The primary focus of HIP is slow and controlled movements. The Lagree website describes the science behind it:

None of the movements are performed using momentum. When working with and against resistance slowly, the tension on muscles stays constant, recruiting more muscle fibers. Slow and controlled movements activate the slow-twitch fat-burning muscle fibers.

HIP Fitness’ website claims to be like no other Pilates studio in Houston. The Pilates-inspired Lagree Method uses resistance springs on the Megaformer 3 to give you a low impact, high-intensity full body workout in just 45 minutes that will work your muscles to complete fatigue. Burn up to 700 calories in each session and leave feeling longer, leaner, and stronger after every workout.

The structure, format, and lucky accompaniment

One of my dearest friends from high school and college planned a weekend getaway to visit me in Houston. Quite adventurous, I knew she wouldn’t object to being dragged to something new. She’s no stranger to small-muscle workouts. She participates in Barre classes and stays fit and healthy despite an admitted crazy work schedule.

We wisely arrived fifteen minutes early. We received the rundown of the torture machine equipment and received basic instructions.

The class began with lower body movements. I should interject and say I also ran six miles earlier that morning. I do not recommend this. I repeat, do not attempt this unless six miles of pavement is as easy for you as eating six pieces of Dove chocolate is for me.

The 45-minute workout slowly, slowly, slowly worked its way through all the major areas: lower body, upper body, and core. Lower body proved to be the most challenging, though the others followed close behind.

The megaformer looks (and feels a bit) like a modern day torture device. It has several sections that move independently. Handles are provided for balance, as well as a stick to use to prevent toppling over. Use both of these. By the time you’re pulling out the stick, your legs feel like jello and you cannot trust them to keep you upright, let alone balanced.

The instructor provided clear directions on where to place our hands, knees, and/or feet. The megaformer has marked numbers, so you just have to follow directions. It’s kind of like Twister but without someone else’s armpit in your nose.

The motions initially feel awkward. After a few repetitions, I started to feel more comfortable with the intent of the movement. Of course, that’s when muscle fatigue started creeping in and the challenge became “breathing through the pain” rather than actually doing it correctly.

It took me about seven minutes to regret admitting I was a fitness instructor and did “just about everything” in the exercise world. My large slice of humble pie left a bitter taste in my mouth.

To recommend or not recommend?

This workout would be tough for someone new to exercising. Forcing our body to move in awkward ways and using the megaformer is not easy.

However, if you’ve been playing the workout game for a while and are up for a new challenge, I definitely recommend it. After all, changing up our workouts is one of the best ways to achieve physical results.

When I taught indoor cycling, I always told my new students to give it three times before deciding if you love it or hate it. I think this is a good approach as well. I’d like to try this again now that I’ve done it once and know what to expect.

Next time I go, I’ll feel more comfortable with the functionality of the device. I’ll expect to move slowly and be more aware of which muscles to activate.

And I most definitely will not run six miles that morning.

Before you go:

• Sign up and pay through the Mind/Body app. There is a first-time special of $15.
• Scrounge through your child’s sock drawer and dig out grippy socks from previous trampoline park visits (like SkyZone or Urban Air). You’ll need these to participate. You can purchase some cute socks at the facility for $15 but I’d rather utilize the ugly ones I paid $1 for.
• Plan a lovely lunch with your dear friend. And get that mid-day glass of wine. Because darn it, you earned it.