By Veronica Carpio, Editor at The Wellness Collective

There are workouts that leave you breathless, and then there are workouts that make you pause—that challenge your balance, control, and the quiet connection between your mind and body. The Micro Lagree class at AURA Skypool, in partnership with Longevity Wellness Hub, belongs to the latter category — and it might just redefine the way you think about strength training.

As someone who regularly practices reformer Pilates, I thought I knew what to expect from any class that involves small, deliberate movements and a reformer-style platform. The Micro Lagree experience turned out to be something quite different though — and, frankly, far more intense than I had anticipated.

A Sky-High Setting for Strength

Perched 200 metres above Dubai’s glittering skyline, AURA Skypool is already synonymous with luxury, serenity, and breathtaking views. But beyond its iconic infinity pool and serene atmosphere, AURA has become a wellness destination — one that merges mindfulness, fitness, and the magic of the city’s horizon into one seamless experience.

On a warm Saturday morning, the pool deck was bathed in soft sunlight as the city below slowly came to life. Just beyond the water’s edge, a small group of us gathered around sleek, compact fitness machines — the Microformers — ready to begin what I assumed would be a graceful, Pilates-style flow, but I was wrong.

What Exactly Is Micro Lagree?

The Lagree Method, developed by fitness pioneer Sebastien Lagree, is a high-intensity, low-impact workout designed to build muscular endurance, strength, and balance. It’s sometimes described as “Pilates on steroids,” though that doesn’t quite do justice to its precision and science-backed design.

The Micro Lagree is an evolution of that — a portable, condensed version of the traditional Lagree workout, performed on a Microformer, a smaller machine that uses resistance bands and a sliding platform. The movements are slow, controlled, and deceptively simple — but the burn they deliver is very real.

Unlike Pilates, where you flow from one movement to another, Micro Lagree keeps your muscles under tension for extended periods. The idea is to move slowly enough to eliminate momentum, forcing your muscles to work harder through the full range of motion.

It’s not about how fast you move — it’s about how long you can hold.

The Class: Small Movements, Big Results

Our instructor began by guiding us through basic positions using the Microformer. Each move was paired with gentle resistance, and at first, it felt manageable. But within minutes, my legs began to shake, my core was on fire, and my breath came in sharp, deliberate exhales.

What struck me most was how much balance played into the workout. On the compact Microformer, every small adjustment counts — your body must constantly stabilise, engaging deep core muscles that often go neglected.

We performed slow lunges that made my thighs quiver, plank-to-pike transitions that demanded serious core control, and oblique twists that redefined the meaning of “burn.”

The instructor kept reminding us to “move slower” and she was right — the slower I went, the more powerful the exercise became. It wasn’t the kind of workout that left me drenched in sweat. Instead, it left me feeling centered — deeply aware of my body, its alignment, and its strength.

Micro Lagree vs. Reformer Pilates: What’s the Difference?

If you’re familiar with reformer Pilates, you might assume Micro Lagree is a similar practice. It’s not — at least not in how it feels.

Both use resistance and focus on alignment, but Lagree is more intense and strength-focused, while Pilates emphasises fluidity and control. In Pilates, the aim is often to lengthen and stretch; in Lagree, it’s to fatigue your muscles to the point of deep activation. In other words: Pilates makes you elegant; Lagree makes you powerful.

Even as someone accustomed to reformer classes, I found this session significantly more challenging. The micro-movements — performed slowly, without momentum — worked my stabilisers in a way I hadn’t experienced before. My legs and abs trembled through most of the class, but that trembling, as the instructor reminded us, is a good sign: it means the muscles are truly working.

The Mind-Body Connection

Beyond the physical challenge, what I loved most about Micro Lagree was how it demanded mental focus. Because every motion is small and controlled, there’s no room to let your mind wander.

Each rep became a meditation in movement — a chance to find stillness in the struggle. It was a reminder that strength isn’t just about power or endurance; it’s also about patience, balance, and control.

By the end of the 45-minute session, I felt both humbled and empowered. My body was shaking, but my mind felt calm. I left with that satisfying post-workout glow — the kind that makes you stand taller and breathe deeper.

AURA’s Expanding Wellness Universe

What’s truly exciting is how AURA Skypool continues to evolve as a wellness destination. The collaboration with Longevity Wellness Hub — known for its holistic approach to well-being — is just one part of the venue’s growing commitment to health and balance.

Beyond Micro Lagree, AURA offers a series of “Wellness in the Sky” experiences designed to nourish both body and mind. Visitors can join morning yoga sessions under the open sky, take part in sound healing rituals, or unwind through breathwork and guided meditation — all set against the backdrop of Dubai’s panoramic skyline.

Each session combines movement, mindfulness, and the city’s natural beauty in a way that feels both grounding and transformative. It’s no wonder that AURA has become one of Dubai’s most sought-after wellness venues — a space that redefines what luxury fitness can look like when fused with intention and design.

If you’re looking for a workout that challenges your muscles, refines your focus, and leaves you with an unexpected sense of inner calm, Micro Lagree at AURA Skypool is worth every second of the burn.

It’s not easy — far from it — but it’s one of those experiences that remind you how capable your body truly is when you give it time, attention, and balance.

For me, the class was a powerful reminder that true strength isn’t loud or fast — it’s slow, intentional, and deeply felt.