Pilates Reformer Vs Megaformer: Which Is Better?

What Is the Megaformer?  

At first glance, the Megaformer might look like a more intense version of the Pilates Reformer. However, these machines serve distinct purposes.  

Designed by Sebastien Lagree, the Megaformer blends Pilates principles with cardio and strength training. It follows Lagree Fitness techniques, incorporating controlled, high-intensity movements that challenge endurance, stability, and muscular strength. In short, the Megaformer delivers a full-body workout that pushes your limits in ways traditional Pilates does not.  

What Is the Pilates Reformer?  

While the Megaformer emphasizes intensity and endurance, the Pilates Reformer stays true to classical Pilates principles. It focuses on lengthening muscles, enhancing core strength, and improving overall balance. Unlike the Megaformer, which incorporates cardio elements, the Reformer is designed for controlled, low-impact movements that build and tone muscles. Essentially, the Pilates Reformer provides a studio-quality Pilates workout in a machine format, making it a staple for both home and professional training.

Design  

Pilates Reformer  

The Pilates Reformer features a simple yet effective design, consisting of a sliding carriage attached to a frame with springs, ropes, and pulleys. It utilizes body weight and resistance to lengthen and strengthen muscles, aligning with traditional Pilates exercises. Users can perform movements in various positions—kneeling, standing, or lying down—while engaging different muscle groups through controlled sliding motions and resistance adjustments.  

Megaformer  

Often referred to as the "Pilates Reformer on Steroids," the Megaformer builds upon the basic Reformer concept but with added complexity. While it still features a sliding carriage, springs, and ropes, it incorporates additional elements like levers, straps, pulleys, and resistance mechanisms. These enhancements allow for Lagree Fitness techniques, which focus on muscle exhaustion through slow, controlled movements. Overall, the Megaformer is a more advanced and dynamic machine, designed for high-intensity, full-body workouts.

Muscles Targeted  

Pilates Reformer  

The Pilates Reformer is designed to provide a full-body workout with a primary focus on the core, back, and pelvis. It also engages smaller muscle groups in the arms and legs to promote muscle lengthening, toning, and flexibility. While the Reformer enhances strength and balance, it is less focused on cardiovascular intensity, making it ideal for controlled, low-impact muscle conditioning and stretching.  

Megaformer  

The Megaformer, incorporating Lagree Fitness techniques, takes a more dynamic approach. It targets large muscle groups throughout the body, including the upper body, lower body, and core, while maintaining an elevated heart rate for an intense cardiovascular workout. This combination of strength training and endurance makes it a high-intensity option for those seeking both muscle definition and improved stamina. Overall, the Megaformer workout is going to give you a higher-intensity workout than the Pilates Reformer as it uses lagree fitness principles.

Intensity Levels  

Pilates Reformer  

The Pilates Reformer delivers a controlled, low-impact workout that emphasizes core engagement, flexibility, balance, coordination, and breath work. While it can elevate the heart rate, its primary focus is on muscle activation and sculpting rather than cardiovascular endurance. This makes it ideal for those seeking strength, posture improvement, and overall body toning without high-intensity exertion.  

Megaformer  

The Megaformer takes Pilates to the next level by incorporating Lagree Fitness principles, which emphasize continuous movement and muscle engagement. This results in a higher-intensity workout that keeps the heart rate elevated while building strength and endurance. Unlike the Pilates Reformer, the Megaformer delivers a more dynamic, full-body workout that challenges both cardiovascular and muscular endurance.

Lagree Fitness vs. Traditional Pilates  

The Megaformer blends elements of both Lagree Fitness and Pilates, whereas the Pilates Reformer is purely rooted in traditional Pilates principles. Understanding the key differences between these two methods can help you determine which aligns best with your fitness goals.  

Lagree Fitness Method  

Developed by Sebastien Lagree, the Lagree Fitness Method is a high-intensity, low-impact workout designed to engage multiple muscle groups simultaneously. The goal is to build strength, increase muscle endurance, and elevate heart rate in a short amount of time. Lagree workouts focus on continuous, controlled movements that challenge the body, making them an efficient way to enhance overall fitness.  

Traditional Pilates  

Created by Joseph Pilates, the Pilates method emphasizes both physical conditioning and the mind-body connection. It is based on six fundamental principles that guide every movement:  

- Centering – Engaging the core as the foundation of all movements.  

- Concentration – Maintaining complete focus and awareness during exercises.  

- Control – Moving with precision and deliberate control.  

- Precision – Executing each movement with accuracy and proper form.  

- Breath – Using deep, intentional breathing to enhance movement efficiency.  

- Flow – Creating smooth, continuous movements that integrate body and mind.  

The Pilates Reformer enhances these principles through structured exercises that promote flexibility, balance, and strength. While the Megaformer incorporates these foundational elements, it takes a more dynamic approach by emphasizing endurance, high-intensity intervals, and faster-paced movements to push the body beyond traditional Pilates boundaries.

Which One is Right for You?  

The truth is—neither machine is objectively "better." Both the Pilates Reformer Machine and the Megaformer offer full-body workouts but serve different fitness goals. Choosing the right one depends on what you’re looking to achieve.  

Choose the Pilates Reformer If You Want:  

✔️ Low-impact, controlled movements  

✔️ Toned and lengthened muscles  

✔️ A focus on mind-body connection and breathwork  

✔️ Core-centered exercises  

✔️ A full-body stretch and improved flexibility  

Choose the Megaformer If You Want:  

✔️ A high-intensity, low-impact workout  

✔️ Increased heart rate and calorie burn  

✔️ Improved muscle endurance and strength  

✔️ A fast-paced, challenging routine  

Still unsure? Try both! Experience the Pilates Reformer and the Megaformer firsthand to see which best aligns with your fitness goals.