At Motionlab, patrons follow the Lagree Method on custom-designed “Megaformers.” (Photo: Libby Nichols)
By Libby Nichols
Des Moines’ wellness scene is stepping up its game with the arrival of Motionlab, the city’s first studio dedicated to the Lagree Method, a full-body workout known for building strength and boosting endurance in a uniquely effective way.
Developed by Sebastien Lagree in Los Angeles in the early 2000s, the method offers a more dynamic, low-impact, joint-friendly alternative to traditional strength training and Pilates. It’s performed on a custom-designed machine called the “Megaformer” and emphasizes slow, controlled movement with constant tension, targeting muscles to the point of fatigue without high impact.
While the method has gained a following in big cities like New York, London and Sydney, Motionlab is the first studio to bring Lagree to Iowa. Studio co-founder Ellie Conser, a local pediatric emergency physician, said the decision was personal.
“I discovered Lagree years ago when I lived in Los Angeles during my residency. I was hesitant at first but fell in love. I needed a workout that was slow paced after a long shift but still effective,” said Conser (pictured here with her husband and business partner, Matt Cates). “When moving back to Iowa, I called around looking for a Lagree studio, but there wasn’t one, and I wasn’t the only one asking. So we decided to open our own.”
The Motionlab studio at 2700 University Ave. in West Des Moines is designed with calm, minimalist interiors and an emphasis on personal attention and community. Each 45-minute session is finely tuned, with a series of movements that are slow, deliberate and often deeply effective. “Every body is different,” Conser said, “but starting to see results after a few sessions is not uncommon, especially in the abs.”
The small classes enable instructors to pay close attention to individual form and technique, which is essential in a method where intensity comes from precision rather than speed or weight.
If the Megaformer feels a bit intimidating at first, newcomers can start with “Motionlab 101,” an intro class held every Sunday to walk new clients through the machine and the method at a slower pace. It’s a good way to start, especially paired with the studio’s $39 unlimited week trial, which gives new clients a chance to ease in, build confidence and explore the full class schedule.
You can book a class online. Your Megaformer awaits.
