Kalispell resident Aubrie Evans has hardly missed a Lagree class since Core and Co. opened in May.  

She's been seeing great results — losing inches on her waist and gaining in her glutes. 

"The momentum is slow and my core is engaged immediately," Evans said. "They call it time under tension." 

Core and Co. Owners Cassie Baldelli and Lynn Stoll said Lagree is different every session. The friends and business partners fell in love with the endless workout combinations that it offered and wanted to bring the fitness method to their new studio in Kalispell. 

"It's just such a fun workout. Every workout is challenging. Your body never gets used to it. There's always another variation you can try or another enhancement that you can do, or you move slower to make it harder," Baldelli said.  

Lagree was created by fitness entrepreneur Sebastien Lagree in 2001 after years of applying bodybuilding techniques on Pilates reformers, according to Lagree Fitness. The method utilizes machines similar to Pilates reformers and focuses on endurance, cardiovascular fitness, body composition, flexibility and strength.

"The time under the tension and the isometric holds are incredibly hard ... But that is where the challenge really comes in with Lagree," Stoll said. 

So far, Core and Co. has about 150 members attending Lagree classes, strength classes, sculpt classes and hot yoga classes at the new studio at 455 Cascade Loop in Kalispell. Stoll said membership exceeded goals during the initial months of opening, which was very encouraging. These days, they work with their 14 Lagree trainers and five hot-room trainers to add new classes for interested patrons.  

The studio features a large room with 12 Lagree machines — similar to a Pilates reformer, but longer with two large platforms in the front and back. The machine can be used for a variety of exercises that are not possible on a reformer, according to Lagree Fitness.  

Baldelli said two of the most common exercises in Lagree are planks and lunges, which are incorporated into almost every workout. Attendees go through a core block, leg block, arm block and an oblique block during class.  

"It's moves that everybody has heard of, but on a machine against tension. So, a lunge feels much more difficult because you're immediately on a moving carriage. But it is bicep curls, plank holds, side planks, squats and a lot of moves people know, it's just different on the machine," Stoll said.  

There's also a hot room with infrared heat panels, which Baldelli said was a priority when designing the studio.  

"It's honestly so good for your muscles, even for recovery. Lynn and I had used heated classes some when we were training for races and it made a huge difference for us. So we wanted the best infrared panels that we could find for the studio," Baldelli said.  

Dr. Lauren Keeney, esthetician and anesthesiologist, is on staff and offers hyaluronic acid lip and facial fillers, IV hydration and medical grade retail skincare. These services are offered to everyone, but members receive discounts on the wellness side of the studio. Discounts for members are also offered on merchandise, which includes clothing from Lulu Lemon and Free People Movement.  

Making sure the studio had all the bells and whistles, it includes a coffee machine and gathering space. Stoll and Baldelli said they wanted Core and Co. to have an aesthetically pleasing interior.  

"I wanted it to look pretty," Stoll said.  

It was important for the studio to be a nice place for patrons to escape, especially the many busy mothers who frequent classes. Stoll said workouts are personal time for people — a way to take back an hour of their day to focus on themselves. For this reason, the studio offers childcare three times a week.  

It's something she and Baldelli can relate to as working moms. Stoll, who used to teach CrossFit, said Lagree is a great option for women who want to continue to focus on strength while doing something that's low impact on their bodies. 

"It's endurance strength. So, with women, it helps them overall for their posture in their everyday life — so it's functional fitness. But to reach body composition goals and tone muscle, strength is where they need to spend their time," Stoll said.  

Stoll has taught CrossFit for about a decade and is still teaching some classes at the Logan Health Medical Fitness Center. In addition to her career in fitness, Stoll also publishes and owns Montana Bride magazine.  

Before opening the studio, Baldelli was CEO of Glacier Raft Co., which she ran with her family for years before selling the business to Pursuit in 2022, according to the Hungry Horse News.  

But she's always been involved in fitness.  

"We both have been really into fitness and health and wellness, so I approached her about opening it with me. And it's been a really good combination, we're really good partners and friends," Baldelli said.  

The women are proud of how quickly their members have found community at Core and Co. The studio has indoor and outdoor sitting areas where people can hang out and chat over coffee.  

"I think we wanted it to feel like a community space. We wanted it to feel like anybody could come here. That's been a big goal for Lynn and I," Baldelli said.  

The sentiment that they are establishing their dream studio has hit home recently. Baldelli said the business is offering both women a chance to pursue something they are passionate about in a way that's sustainable for their futures.  

"So many mornings we are just so thankful for this place and the community, it has been a total blessing to both of us," she said.  

Stoll agreed, adding that it's exciting to see familiar faces show up every day ready to jump into a good workout.  

Learn more about Core and Co. at core-co.fit. 

Reporter Taylor Inman can be reached at 406-758-4440 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support. 

This article has been updated to clarify the title of Lauren Keeney.

    Participants work out in a strength class at Core & Co. in Kalispell on Tuesday, Sept. 8. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider   

    Participants engage in a Lagree class at Core & Co. in Kalispell on Tuesday, Sept. 8. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider   

    Co-owner Lynn Stoll leads a Lagree class at Core & Co. in Kalispell on Tuesday, Sept. 8. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider