Full disclosure: I'm not one for group fitness. I prefer to work out alone with the most basic of equipment. I'm skeptical of trendy or gimmicky workouts. And after my first class at Studio Lagree, I can attest that I'll be back for a second.

To be plain, Studio Lagfree served me up some humble pie along with pleasantly burning hamstrings. Studio Lagree's instructor led me through a 50 minute workout on its patented Megaformer carriage. The class was one part super-charged pilates with one part cardio. The slow, controlled movements are designed to strengthen and lengthen muscles, but the constant movement keeps heart rates elevated for a nice cardio kick. All major muscle groups are hit, so it makes for an efficient full body workout. And because the participant controls the resistance and intensity of their own Megaformer, the classes are suitable for all fitness levels.

The instructors and studio are gorgeous without being intimidating and the fun music made the 50 minutes absolutely fly by.