'My goal has always been to raise the bar for boutique fitness': Northern Ireland fitness pioneer brings celebrity-loved Lagree workout home — and the future looks strong

I’ve always believed in the power of movement. Long before opening my own studios, I understood how transformative exercise can be — not just physically, but mentally and emotionally too.

After two decades working as a fitness instructor, including 15 years specialising in Pilates, opening my own spaces felt like a natural and purposeful progression. In 2023, I opened FORM in Broughshane, followed by a second studio in Magherafelt in 2024. Both were built on the same foundation: intelligent movement, exceptional standards and a strong sense of community.

Before launching FORM, my focus was on teaching, learning and refining my craft. I spent years continually upskilling, studying different methods and investing in advanced training so I could deliver classes that were safe, effective and sustainable. I was never interested in fitness fads or quick fixes. Instead, I was drawn to methods rooted in science and precision — movement that challenges the body, builds strength and resilience, but protects long-term health. Over time, I built a loyal client base who trusted my approach and valued quality instruction.

As demand for my classes grew, so did my ambition. I could see there was a real appetite locally for high-quality boutique fitness — studios that prioritised technique, experience and atmosphere just as much as the workout itself. I wanted to create a space that felt welcoming yet elevated, where clients would feel supported and motivated from the moment they walked through the door. That belief became the driving force behind opening my first FORM studio, offering Pilates and yoga in a thoughtfully designed environment that reflected the standards I’d spent years developing.

A pivotal moment came a few years ago during a trip to London, when I discovered the Lagree Method. From the very first class, I knew this was something different. Lagree completely changed my perspective on strength training. It was intense but controlled, challenging yet low impact. The workout delivered strength, endurance, cardio and balance in a way that felt both athletic and incredibly precise. I left that session knowing I wanted to bring this method home.

Lagree is now one of the fastest-growing exercise methods globally, loved by celebrities and fitness enthusiasts alike, including Michelle Obama, Jennifer Aniston and Kim Kardashian. Performed on the state-of-the-art Miniformer Pro machine, it’s a high-intensity, low-impact workout designed to push muscles to fatigue in a safe and controlled way. It builds lean muscle, improves core strength and supports joint health — all without the impact associated with traditional high-intensity training.

Opening FORM Lagree on the Lisburn Road in Belfast in October 2025 was a major milestone — not only for me personally, but for the local fitness industry. We are proud to be the first dedicated Lagree studio on the island of Ireland. Bringing this method here required months of meticulous planning, investment and preparation. To ensure we delivered it to the highest standard, I flew in a senior master trainer from Los Angeles to train and certify our team. It was important to me that every instructor understood the depth, technique and philosophy behind Lagree, so clients would experience it exactly as intended.

We have also recently expanded our Magherafelt studio into a multi-purpose space, introducing Lagree to Mid-Ulster and continuing to broaden our reach. Watching the excitement build around the method locally has been incredibly rewarding.

Day to day, running the business is a careful balance of strategy, leadership and staying connected to the studio floor. I still teach regularly, which keeps me grounded and close to our community — something that remains deeply important to me. However, my role has evolved. I now manage a growing team of 25 highly trained instructors across the business, oversee studio operations and make long-term decisions about expansion and brand direction. There are moments that feel surreal — opening new studios, seeing fully booked timetables and watching instructors step into leadership roles of their own.

Of course, there are challenges too. The pressures of investment, long hours and the responsibility that comes with employing a large team are very real. Boutique fitness requires constant attention to detail, and maintaining high standards across multiple locations takes discipline and resilience. But I’ve always believed that if something is worth doing, it’s worth doing properly.

Ultimately, what has made FORM successful is consistency and standards. I’ve never been interested in shortcuts. From instructor training and continued professional development to studio design and client experience, everything has to feel intentional. The lighting, the music, the programming, the customer journey — it all matters. That commitment to excellence has allowed us to build not just a client base, but a loyal and supportive community.

Looking ahead, my focus is firmly on sustainable, long-term growth. My goal has always been to raise the bar for boutique fitness in Northern Ireland — to prove that world-class methods and experiences can thrive here. With more exciting plans in development, I genuinely feel we are only just getting started.