This Pilates-Inspired Boot Camp Changed My Self-Esteem About My Abs

Unfortunately, the fit brunette with visible ab muscles and a flat stomach in the photo is not me. She's likely an instructor or top student at SLT, an NYC-based boutique fitness studio featuring exercises done on Pilates reformer machines. That said, joining this core-strengthening cult made me a hell of a lot more confident about my own midsection.

Honestly, my stomach has always been a sensitive topic for me — it's where I gain weight first and lose it last. I've never had a flat tummy (and likely never will, because my shape is a bit more apple), but I still work at getting it to be as toned as possible. Last year, I challenged myself to take about three months' worth of SLT classes. Though I could only do about one to two classes per week since I was still building up my strength, there was a noticeable difference in my shape when I had to wear a bathing suit for a vacation in Florida. And I am proud to say it was the first time I ever shared a photo of myself in a bikini (sans a cover-up top) on Instagram.

As a dancer who still practices and loves Pilates, yoga, and barre, finding workouts that challenge my core are few and far between. SLT actually kicks my ass. Every. Time. The class is a mix of Pilates and barre, all done on a reformer machine called a Megaformer. "If cardio, strength training, and Pilates had a baby, it would be SLT. It's a total-body, 50-minute workout offering a heart-pumping, muscle-quivering experience," said SLT's CEO Amanda Freeman. "Often described as 'Pilates on steroids,' the workout is performed slowly to activate the slow-twitch muscle fibers, leading to the long, lean, toned results. Muscles are worked to fatigue, forcing them to grow while increasing your rate of fat and calorie burning (up to 600 per session)."

It's really as difficult as it sounds — in the best way possible! After doing just one class, my stomach felt significantly tighter, love handles smoother, and legs leaner. Yes, I was very sore (walking up the stairs was painful), but over time, my body got used to it and that went away. The benefits were that I learned better workout habits (like slowing down!), got much more toned, and overall felt better about my figure.

If you're thinking about trying this workout or a similar one on a Pilates reformer machine, then keep reading to discover what I learned while consistently taking this class.

I Learned to Move Slowly

I Learned to Move Slowly

The DNA of this workout is that you are moving meticulously. "When it comes to most workouts, the philosophy is usually 'the faster the better,'" Amanda explained. "That isn't the case for SLT. While we move quickly from one move to the next, each move is done for a slow four-count in each direction. By moving slowly, you activate your slow-twitch muscle fibers, thus leading to long, lean muscle development in a low-impact environment."

It was a challenge for me not to speed through ab exercises that involved me moving in and out of a plank repetitively. But when I actually did them at the correct timing, I remained injury-free. This made me rethink every other class I take outside of SLT. And now when I do HIIT workouts, I go at my own pace with burpees and squats, because I know I am more likely to do it correctly, elongate my muscles, and not pull anything.

I Learned to Keep Moving

I Learned to Keep Moving

Like most boot camps, there are no rest stops during SLT. The recovery movement is called "mermaid" and involves sitting at the end of the bench and doing side crunches away from the machine to stretch out your abdomen. In other words: it's still #werk.

"Each move is done for at least one minute straight with no breaks," Amanda noted. "And moves are blocked together so that you work one muscle group for several minutes until muscle failure. It is at that point where you get the best results from a workout. The muscle and its appearance will change more efficiently."

I am the SoulCycler who loves to towel off and grab water between songs, so working out seamlessly during SLT helped to improve my overall endurance.

I Learned to Stick With It

I Learned to Stick With It

There's nowhere to hide on a Megaformer machine. If you stop moving, you may very well fall off. So you have to stay focused, be present, and push through. It's also difficult to modify the movements, which pushed me to rise to the occasion and just do them the way they are meant to be done.

I often do push-ups on my knees or don't go all the way down for a frog squat, and SLT taught me to rethink these habits. You are encouraged to fully do the moves and keep doing them for the entire time period. Then, you swiftly transition to the next exercise.

The women (and men!) who take this class are incredibly fit and inspiring. Seeing petite girls my own size complete the movements motivated me to stick with it. And the results are so worth it!

What to Do If You Don't Live in NYC

What to Do If You Don't Live in NYC

While the class is only offered in New York right now, Amanda provided SLT-inspired moves anyone can try at home — even without the Megaformer.

"To replicate the instability and movement of the Megaformer at home, you can use a towel," she said. "By placing a towel under your feet, hands, or elbows, many of our favorite SLT moves can be practiced at home."

Here are two of her favorites:

Spoon: Place a towel under your feet and the heel of your hands on the edge of the seat of a chair behind you. Using your lower abdominal muscles, pull your torso up while sliding your feet closer to the chair. Slowly lower your body while sliding your legs away from the chair. Repeat slowly for a minute.

French Twist: With your feet facing the left side of the room, place your hands on the floor shoulder width apart and your right foot in front of your left foot (heel to toe) with a towel under your feet. Using your side waist to pull, slide your feet and legs a few inches closer to your hands. Then slide your feet and legs away from your hands. Repeat slowly for a minute. Focus on using your side waist (aka oblique) to do the work. Avoid bending your knees. Then, try it on the other side!