SLT: Amanda Freeman brings her favorite workout to New York
This move for the obliques is a killer (Photo: SLT)
After tiring of the fact that her favorite workout was not available in New York, last week fitness aficionado Amanda Freeman opened the doors to New York’s newest boutique fitness studio, SLT (Strengthen, Lengthen, Tone).
Don’t be confused by the name: it’s not a barre workout. SLT’s studio is lined with Megaformers, an uber-modern version of the Pilates’ Reformer. And the workout, which has huge following in Los Angeles, is described as what would result if “cardio, strength training, and Pilates had a baby.”
We caught up with the Freeman, the co-founder of healthy newsletter Vital Juice, to find out why she decided to bring the method to the Big Apple:
How did you first discover SLT? I had jobs that brought me to Los Angeles a lot, and I used to do trend forecasting. So I was always very into the new, hot thing. Someone told me about this exercise class I had to try. In LA it was called Pilates Plus. But it was always booked. When I finally got to the class, everyone was really into it and had great bodies. It was very different from anything I had ever seen.
Amanda Freeman, owner of SLT NYC
What do you love about the workout? I like Pilates and its results—long, lean bodies. But I was always frustrated because I felt like I needed to do another workout after. You don’t sweat or get your heart rate up at Pilates. But SLT is a hybrid version—it’s like Pilates plus you get a cardio workout, and you feel your muscles quivering. [Editorial note: Well+Good tried it last week and we second the muscle quivering!]
Why did you change the name? To me, it was important not to have the name Pilates in it, because people have the impression I had—that it’s not a real hard workout. SLT stands for the actual results that you get and that I want—strengthen, lengthen, tone. And I want to attract people who want those three things.
Why do you think the workout will resonate with New Yorkers? It’s the Type-A version of Pilates, which is very New York. You want to feel like you really worked out. I think women who do barre classes might like SLT. It’s definitely a different workout, but they’re both going for the same results. At SLT, you’re not pouring down sweat like you would in spin class—it’s a little more manageable— but you get the combination of cardio, strength, and stretching, just like at Physique or Exhale.
Do you have plans to expand? I want a bunch of studios! I’m already looking for additional locations, but it’s so hard for boutique studios to find space. I do need this to catch on first. We’re not full right now, but the LA people are worried that it’s going to get sold out. If it does, I’ll just try to open more. —Lisa Elaine Held
SLT, 37 West 57th St., btwn 5th and 6th Ave., Ste. 703; $40 per class (first class is $20), 212-355-1737, www.sltnyc.com
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[...] •Strength, Length, Tone is now available in NYC. (Well + Good) [...]
A Modernized Reformer For A Decent Workout But Needs A More Welcoming Attitude And Better Information During Instruction:
I took at class at the SLT studio and after an initial poor impression feel like I got a decent workout (6 out of 10). At 50 minutes there is not enough time to isolate every muscle group (or so it seemed). The instructor goes quickly and only perfunctorily explained what we were getting out of each exercise. Because it didn’t feel like we were working every muscle group and it would have been nice to know which ones we were targeting so we could make up the difference on our own the rest of the week.
The studio has one meager changing curtain area and no bathrooms or showers. The owner might have been present, but whoever was running the studio that day acted more like hired help who just wanted to chat with her clique than welcome new clients to a fledging business. As opposed to the instructors at Core Fusion who all ask for your name and seem really eager to talk to introduce you to the studio’s philosophy, this instructor didn’t approach us or seem to care too much.
Amanda, It’s great you brought a Pilates-feel back to NYC. They need a switch from all the barre classes. What fitness certifications do you hold in order to be teaching this particular ‘body-awareness’ class safely & effectively? Or Did you just take classes at Pilates Plus? If so, for how long? Just curious. Thanks.
[...] WireFriday, April 13, 2012SLT Yoga to open on May 1Erin Jacques will head up the new yoga program.“What SLT does to Pilates, SLT Yoga will do to yoga,” explains Amanda Freeman. That means it’ll deliver a [...]
[...] The signature volume-11 playlist of rock and pop has more in common with a spin class than a yoga class. (The method name refers to Strengthen, Lengthen, and Tunes—a word away from its sister Megaformer workout next door.) [...]
[...] outdoor classes on the hotel deck at 10:30 a.m., Friday through Sunday. Since they won’t have any Fitfomers on hand, they’ve also created special SLT “Box” and “Shred” workout classes, with star [...]
[...] Uhling, whose tough-and-toning SLT boot camp classes are regularly packed, knows a thing or two about staying in [...]
[...] you know as the tricked-out Pilates reformer workout spearheaded in New York by Amanda Freeman. And Escape to Shape is a chic, pioneering fitness travel [...]
[...] you know as the tricked-out Pilates reformer workout spearheaded in New York by Amanda Freeman. And Escape to Shape is a chic, pioneering fitness travel [...]
[...] the brainchild of SLT owner Amanda Freeman (with help from Flywheel co-founder Jay Galluzzo), who brought the idea to boutique-fitness booking [...]
[...] the brainchild of SLT owner Amanda Freeman (with help from Flywheel co-founder Jay Galluzzo), who brought the idea to boutique-fitness booking [...]
[...] have to put your kettlebell down to brush your bangs out of your face or take your hands off the Megaformer. Photo: SLT Pin curls. This look is particularly genius. Bobby pins hold a circular [...]
[...] advice, plank contests, limited-edition class package specials, and giveaways will be available at SLT and SLT Yoga classes. [...]
[...] advice, plank contests, limited-edition class package specials, and giveaways will be available at SLT and SLT Yoga classes. [...]
[...] one of the West Coast’s hottest workouts, and it first came to New York with the opening of Amanda Freeman’s SLT last [...]
[...] first brought the LA-fave Megaformer workout to New York in the fall of 2011 with the opening of SLT in Midtown and then added SLT Yoga this past [...]
[...] With SLT’s new Soho studio, which opens January 21, fans (and the fitness curious) now stand a way better chance of nabbing a spot at the perpetually booked Megaformer workout. [...]
[...] Lagree has licensed 135 locations across the country, and in Australia and Canada. In New York, SLT just opened a second Manhattan location and will head to the Hamptons and New Jersey soon. Classes [...]