When Sevan Akian and her fiancé moved from Southern California to Watertown, Akian wanted to bring her passion for Lagree Fitness – an exercise method that strengthens and tones muscles while limiting excess stress to joints – with her. When the space next to Champion’s on Leonard Street became available, she jumped at the opportunity to open the studio.
“It’s probably the only form of exercise that completely changed my life – my mentality, my body,” Akian said of the Lagree fitness method. “It’s the only thing that worked for me, so I wanted to bring that to others.”
Lagree Fitness was founded in Los Angeles in 2001 by Sebastien Lagree. It has since grown to more than 400 locations worldwide, according to the company website.
Previous Stories
Akian’s Leonard Street studio will offer small classes using the Lagree method, which is a series of slow, deliberate movements combined to create a high-intensity workout.
“It works on time under tension and activates the slow-twitch muscle fibers in your body, so every movement is very thoughtful and very slow,” Akian explained. “Your muscles end up shaking, and that creates this very beautiful muscle in your body that’s lean.”
Customizable to the Customer
Akian’s studio will have eight machines, which she said will keep classes small, allowing personalized attention to each client.
At the Lagree system’s core is a machine called a Megaformer, a movable platform with spring-based resistance. Akian will offer the newest version available when her studio opens later this summer. The studio is being designed to feel calming, clean, and elevated, with eucalyptus towels and hints of a high-end resort.
No opening date has been set, but Akian expects to open this summer. Interested Belmont residents can monitor the company website. She will also be at Town Day on May 17.
While the 31-year-old hails from California, Akian’s mother is from Watertown, and her fiancé attended Belmont High School. Excited to be back in the area permanently, Akian jumped at the opportunity to bring her business to Belmont Center, saying it was “the perfect fit because of how close-knit and vibrant the community is, and Belmont values quality and health and wellness.”
She’s now a member of the Belmont Center Business Association and plans to host collaborative evenings with local community members and small business owners once her studio is up and running.
