Building Strength from the Inside Out

An Exclusive First Look at Lagree30A

Interview by Morgan Claybourne | Photography courtesy of Lagree30A

In this special Beauty and Wellness Issue, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Stephanie Wiesel, the visionary behind Lagree30A, which will bring the very first Lagree fitness studio to Florida’s Scenic Highway 30A area in January 2026. With a background in interior architecture and design paired with a deep passion for strength training, Stephanie is bringing something new to our local fitness landscape. Her studio will merge high-intensity and low-impact movement in a beautifully curated environment, creating an elevated experience for locals and visitors seeking a workout that delivers real results.

As Stephanie prepares to open her doors, she shares the story behind her love for Lagree, the inspiration that sparked her desire to bring this method to Watersound Town Center near 30A, and how Lagree30A will stand out as a premium wellness destination in our community. Her enthusiasm, intention, and dedication shine throughout our conversation, and we are thrilled to give readers an exclusive first look at what is to come.

VIE: Tell us how it all started! What inspired you to open 30A’s very first Lagree studio?

Stephanie Wiesel: Lagree is my absolute favorite strength training workout, and coming from someone who’s taken pretty much every fitness class under the sun, that says a lot! I was immediately hooked after attending my first Lagree class while living in Atlanta. After adding Lagree to my weekly workout regimen of gym visits and cardio, I saw a drastic improvement in my body with lean muscle tone. Even while traveling for my previous job in interior architecture and design, I found Lagree studios near my hotels and attended classes. After relocating to 30A in 2020, I noticed the closest official Lagree studios were more than two hours away in every direction. I started teaching similar slow-resistance training classes at another studio in the area. 

I had always dreamed of having my own studio one day instead of just instructing, but I knew I had to be patient until the perfect space came along.

One day, I popped in for coffee at the new Starbucks in Watersound Town Center and noticed the space above. It was gorgeous, new construction with the opportunity to design and make it exactly my own. It had beautiful concrete floors, an outdoor balcony, high ceilings, and tons of windows with natural light. With my fifteen-plus years of experience in the interior design and construction industry, I instantly had a vision. I saw an opportunity to marry my two favorite things—interior design and Lagree. It was the perfect location to finally bring Lagree to 30A.

VIE: Tell us about yourself and how you got started in the wellness industry!

SW: I’ve always been passionate about having an active, healthy lifestyle and treating my body right, even from a young age, with competitive sports and outdoor activities growing up. I truly enjoy working out and how it makes me feel. In addition to Lagree, I’ve taken many fitness classes over the years, including hot yoga, boot camps, Orangetheory, SoulCycle, and more. That sparked a passion for keeping my body in the best shape possible and opened my eyes to what else I could do beyond exercise. I am obsessed with health and wellness, and both are necessities I incorporate into my daily routine. It’s not the quick fix but the whole package of strength training, eating clean whole foods such as fruits, veggies, and lean protein, vitamins, supplements, medical-grade skin care, wellness outlets for relaxation such as a sauna and steam room, and moving your body every day in some way while having fun with it.

I am constantly educating myself, keeping up with the latest health, wellness, and fitness trends by listening to podcasts, reading articles, and communicating with other studio owners, instructors, and influencers via social media.

VIE: What is the mission behind Lagree30A, and how does it align with our local wellness community?

SW: 30A is a very active, fitness, health, and wellness-driven community. The weather is mild and sunny most of the year. There are always people outside running, biking, golfing, and walking our beautiful stretch of beach. At Lagree30A, we bring variety to the local wellness community by incorporating strength training in a special way—an exceptional, low-impact, high-intensity workout that builds lean muscle quickly and efficiently. It’s a great addition to any outdoor cardio workout.

The Lagree30A studio environment is an exclusive and beautiful experience for the community. We offer an aesthetically pleasing space to hang, top-notch instructors, professionally built playlists, world-class equipment, and premium amenities. Whether they are a local resident or visitor for the weekend, our mission is to give every client the best overall workout experience possible and help them feel like their best self.

VIE: For readers who may be new to Lagree, how would you describe the method and what sets it apart from other forms of Pilates or strength training?

SW: The Lagree Method is an exercise method engineered to strengthen, tighten, and tone the muscles effectively and efficiently without excess stress on the joints, connective tissues, or spine. Centered on principles called the Magic 10, each workout varies in intensity in order to force physical changes, also known as positive adaptation. The method will make you shake, sweat, and feel sore the next day.

Lagree uses tried and proven training techniques such as planks, lunges, squats, and push-ups, as well as unique exercises like Super Lunge, Catfish, and Scrambled Eggs. Clients can learn more about the method and view videos by visiting LagreeFitness.com.

Lagree sets itself above other forms of Pilates and strength training in many different aspects. Sebastian Lagree, creator of Lagree Fitness, has carefully selected each of these ingredients to create a workout that quickly and safely gets users in shape by protecting delicate connective tissues and joints. Thanks to the nature of the method, it can be enjoyed at any age. Sebastian and his team are constantly improving and tweaking moves, making them the best of the best. Lagree is composed of a patented exercise method, a full line of exercise machines and equipment, and more than 600 studios worldwide, all of which continue to evolve. The Lagree name and brand are well represented in major cities across the globe, including Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, and Chicago. Lagree Fitness has exceptional knowledge and branding, making it seamless to find studios around the world and know you are guaranteed a killer workout.

VIE: What can clients expect from the Lagree30A experience from the moment they walk through the door?

SW: Lagree30A is not just a fitness studio. It is an exceptional workout experience from the moment our clients walk through the door until they leave. Amenities include a convenient and amazing location above Starbucks—always a favorite. We have a spacious lobby with benches and large, full-size lockers with plenty of storage and shelving for large bags and shoes, hooks, and built-in charging stations. There is an outdoor balcony with comfortable lounge and dining areas, and a plush indoor seating area with a TV. Spa-like amenities include chilled lavender towels post-class, a range of beverages, protein bars, and a spacious retail area with quality clothing and items available for purchase.

Our space features beautiful natural light, high-end finishes, sleek countertops, professional custom millwork, and lighting that accentuates the entire studio. We also offer a changing area for clients on the go. Our equipment includes state-of-the-art MegaPro machines. We have certified instructors, professional class programming, and class playlists created by a professional DJ.

Our app and website allow clients to purchase memberships, class packages, and retail items, and to book classes. We offer a men-only class several days a week, taught by an amazing male instructor. We have a wide range of membership options, will eventually offer virtual memberships, and hope to open several future studio locations.

VIE: What does the class format look like, and how accessible is it for beginners? Tell us about the equipment and Megaformers!

Each class is a 45-minute, full-body, high-intensity, low-impact strength-training workout on a Mega Pro Megaformer machine. The Mega Pro operates on a weighted spring system, creating resistance. Each move works to completely exhaust the muscle fibers through slow, controlled movements and constant tension, forcing both slow-twitch and fast-twitch fibers to fatigue and creating the signature shakes and metabolic stress for muscle growth, endurance, and toning. We have 16 MegaPro machines, are open seven days a week, and offer roughly 60 classes per week, including early morning, evening, and weekend classes.

Each class is suitable for all levels, from beginner to advanced. Our certified instructors teach a variety of levels in every class and provide modifications or progressions for every move. Our team gets to know each client, allowing them to customize instruction to individual fitness goals.

VIE: What type of community do you hope to build within the studio?

SW: At Lagree30A, we hope to build a tight-knit, rewarding, and motivating community. We want to provide not just a workout, but an exceptional overall experience. We have beautiful indoor and outdoor spaces where clients can hang out after class, check emails, sit with a friend, grab a drink, or take a quiet moment by themselves.

Our instructors get to know our client community on a personal level, and every single one is different, whether they’re recovering from an injury, expecting a new baby, or looking to grow their fitness routine. It was also important to have plenty of space between the machines, as our instructors spend 1:1 time with each client during class, suggesting modifications, progressions, or improvements to their form and alignment, helping them get the best workout possible within those 45 minutes.

VIE: Are there any special events, collaborations, or workshops planned for the opening months?

SW: Yes! We plan to host an opening party, monthly events such as Spin Saturdays with a live DJ in class, Saturday and Sunday football events, bachelorette parties, and seasonal special events. We will also have plenty of collaborations with local businesses, including restaurants, hotels, health and wellness facilities, and more.

VIE: What are you most excited about as you prepare to open your doors in January?

SW: Helping people feel like their best selves.

Fitness and working out provide many people with an outlet to escape the stresses of work and everyday life, a mental break, and an opportunity to move their bodies. Sometimes it is the only hour they have in the day to focus solely on themselves. At Lagree30A, we do everything we can to make that workout experience the best it can possibly be.

VIE: What is one piece of advice you would give to someone interested in getting involved with fitness or wellness this year?

SW: Have fun with it! Whether that means trying a new workout, eating cleaner, adding a supplement to your daily routine, or pushing yourself harder during an existing workout routine, find little ways to make it fun. Bring a friend to class and grab coffee afterward, find a fun recipe to meal prep, get a sleek water bottle for your supplements, or find a new move that challenges you. Treat yourself and your body to whatever makes you feel great, and this process should be enjoyable and fun.

VIE: Is there anything else you’d like our readers to know?

SW: Clients can download our app from the App Store on Apple and Android devices by searching for Lagree30A. Monthly memberships, class packages, retail items, and class bookings can all be purchased and managed through our app or website, Lagree30A.com. They can also sign up to receive weekly email updates with important studio information and a YouTube video. We have some exciting content coming, and our clients will be able to see Lagree30A take shape from now until we open.

Clients can follow us on Instagram @lagree30a. We are also on Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, X, and TikTok. They can educate themselves further about Lagree, the evolving method, and more by visiting LagreeFitness.com.

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To learn more about Lagree30A, visit Lagree30A.com and follow @lagree30a on social media.