SLT founder and CEO Amanda Freeman
SLT is celebrating 10 years of toning time on the East End–let's get physical with founder and CEO Amanda Freeman, who shares her tips for staying your strongest self.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START SLT? I started SLT in 2011 and conceived of it in 2010. Those were the early days of boutique fitness, so I was inspired by the pioneers of the industry. That said, the options were pretty limited: spin, barre and yoga. What I was looking for didn’t exist—I wanted the Pilates body, delivered via a boutique fitness experience. On a trip to L.A., I first tried a Megaformer class and immediately knew that it was exactly what I wanted and that it had to come to N.Y. I loved how challenging the workout is, how deep it gets into muscles you never even knew you had, how sore I felt for days to come and how amazing the results were.
WHAT MAKES SLT SUCH AN EFFECTIVE WORKOUT? Our unique combination of cardio, strength training and Pilates makes it an all-in-one powerhouse of a workout. SLT is also different in that the majority of the workout is performed super slowly (versus as fast as possible), moves are blocked by muscle group, and we work each muscle group to exhaustion. A slow workout allows you to engage your slow-twitch muscle fibers and then work them until muscle failure forces them to take time postworkout to recover and change for the better (leading to longer, leaner muscles).
WHAT DOES YOUR IDEAL DAY LOOK LIKE IN THE HAMPTONS? A solo beach walk with a ’70s music playlist, brunch at EHP (pancakes, bagels and lox, avocado toast) with my kids, their cousins and my siblings, browsing shops in Amagansett (Warm, Lazy Point, Ulla Johnson), reading a novel in the shade at Atlantic Beach and a boat evening that consists of wake surfing and dinner at Salt (on Shelter Island).
SLT classes use a Megaformer to tone and sculpt to perfection
WHAT TIPS DO YOU HAVE FOR STAYING FIT DURING SUMMER? One of the best parts of summer is the breadth of activities to choose from. In addition to many of NYC’s favorite workout classes being available in the Hamptons, there are so many outdoor activities to choose from. I recommend going for a mix of your tried-and-true favorites and some more unique and outdoor workouts like paddleboarding, walking or running, tennis and surfing. Find activities you get joy out of that make you smile. Also, consider making your workouts more social by coordinating with friends— it will also make you more likely to actually show up for your workout. Lastly, think about a combination of cardio-focused and toning-focused workouts to obtain optimal results.
WHAT DO YOU SEE FOR THE FUTURE OF SLT? After a few hard years, SLT is back in growth mode. Expect to see more SLT locations popping up in and around NYC.
HOW DOES SLT DIFFERENTIATE ITSELF AMONG COMPETING WORKOUT STUDIOS? One of our key differentiators is that our workout is the most results-focused in the industry. Other workouts tout other benefits (psychological, spiritual or physical), and SLT certainly offers our clients many of those benefits, but if you want the best physical results in a safe, challenging and efficient workout, SLT is your guy. Other differentiators include our equipment (the Megaformer is the best piece of fitness equipment), our unique combination of high-intensity and low-impact workout, and our attention to detail and form. 460 Pantigo Road, Ste. 1, East Hampton; 16 Hill St., Ste. 2, Southampton, sltnyt.com
Photography by: PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE BRAND
