I'm officially 10 classes in at The Dungeon as of today, and I can honestly say this place has been a huge change for my physical and mental health. I've tried a lot of different fitness classes everywhere and was starting to get bored with my routine. This was my first Lagree studio, and it's officially the one thing I look forward to.
The Irvine studio is located in the Sky Park area, and there's plenty of parking in the lot. I'd just recommend getting there a little early the first time so you have time to find the unit. Also get there early if it's your first class so the instructor can show you the Megaformer and how the machine works, which helps a lot before class starts. I used to be so intimidated by the machine, but the instructors really help you learn the ins and outs.
The space itself is very clean, and I like that instructors hand out wipes so everyone can wipe down their Megaformer after class. I believe this location opened last year, so they don't have the VersaClimber yet, but maybe that will come in the future. They also have a lot of convenient class times, especially midday, which I appreciate. I'd personally love to see 12:00 PM classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays added.
What I didn't expect about Lagree is how mentally challenging it is. At first I was confused why there were no mirrors in their studio, but now I understand it's intentional so you focus more on the mind-body connection.
When I'm in class I'm honestly so focused on my form and not falling off the machine (lol) that everything else kind of fades away. It's one of the workouts I do where I feel like my brain completely shuts off from everything else.
All of the instructors have been welcoming! Sana and Jolene have been my favorites so far.
The only thing I'd mention is that while the classes say "all levels welcome", it might help to have a Level 1 vs Level 2 option at certain times. When I first started, a beginner-paced class would have helped me understand the movements and positions a little more. Now that I've been going consistently, I can keep up much better.
Overall, Lagree is one of the hardest workouts I've ever done, and you leave with that "feel good" soreness for days that has you craving to come back for more. It's also a really judgment-free environment where everyone is just focused on getting through the workout.
Whether it's your first class or your 100th, it's always a challenge to tackle and absolutely rewarding. Safe to say I'm officially obsessed with Lagree now because of The Dungeon. read more