Core Change brings new fitness method to area
Lacey Barr has opened Core Change, 11677 Parkside Drive, bringing the Lagree fitness method to Turkey Creek.
Barr and partner/fiancé, Patrick Robinette, own the business located between Roosters and Soho Nails & Spa, which opened Monday, Oct. 1.
“We had a free week of community classes (Sept. 24 through Sept. 29) and just had an awesome response from the Knoxville community,” Barr said. “Everyone has just been so kind, and we’ve gotten great feedback, and I think (those who came in) got a great workout, too.”
Core Change offers the Megaformer machine along with a high-intensity but low-impact workout.
“Because you are moving with slow and controlled movements, you are tapping into your slow-twitch muscle fibers, which are the fibers that are going to lengthen and lean out your muscles,” she said, adding that at the same time, “you’re getting your heart rate way up.
“You are not going to impact your connective tissue, your joints or your bones, so it’s truly a kind way to work out,” Barr added.
The Athens native always has had an interest in fitness and movement and how it can heal the body.
About eight years ago Barr was working for PureBarre, a national Barre method franchise, on a corporate level, teaching and helping open studios across the country, when she saw a friend on TV’s Today Show demonstrating the Lagree method, a high-intensity, low-impact workout.
“I flew to D.C. and took a class and absolutely loved it,” she said. “I loved the intensity of the workout (and) I also loved that it was low impact. I got a total body workout — got a good sweat — but also felt like I was being very kind to my body.”
Barr started taking classes in different cities across the country and even internationally until circumstances in life led her back to East Tennessee.
“I took a leap of faith, bought a license for the Lagree method and machine,” she said, adding the method provides “high-intensity, low-impact, intentional movement and unparalleled results.”
The 45-minute classes — for everyone, from beginner to those advanced — uses the Megaformer machine, which is spring-loaded so it can be modified or amplified based on the client’s individual fitness needs, Barr said.
“So, it’s kind of a customized approach to group fitness overall,” she added.
All the while, a coach is there “coaching you through” the workout, Barr added.
While the Lagree method is compared in similarity to Pilates, she said the Lagree method is higher intensity.
“One thing that’s really cool about the Lagree method is that you’re hitting all five elements of physical fitness,” Barr said. “You are getting your cardio, your strength training, balance, flexibility and body composition change.”
Core Change offers 42 classes a week — 6 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., noon, 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. It also offers classes 6:30 p.m., Tuesdays, Wednesday and Thursday; 8:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., Saturday; and 8:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., Sunday.
To book a class, visit online at www.corechangefitness.com
