By Shelby Dietz, Program Manager
We’re finally seeing a culture where fitness 
is widely acknowledged. We understand that movement is essential to a healthy life. And, we have a lot of movement options to choose from. So now, what movement do we choose? That all depends on your goals.
If your goals involve overall strength, flexibility, coordination and balance – you should try SLX! SLX is Four Seasons’ new fitness program that utilizes Pilates Reformer Allegro machines to create a unique, challenging, yet feel-good workout experience.
The 411 on the Reformer
Not going to lie, the Pilates Reformer machine comes off a tad bit intimidating at first because it’s unlike any other machine you have seen. BUT, once you hop on, you quickly realize it’s actually not intimidating at all, and actually very friendly and kind to your body! This unique machine offers a workout experience that you can’t find anywhere else. It is comprised of a bed-like frame with a flat platform on it, called the carriage, which rolls back and forth on wheels within the frame. The carriage has a set of springs along the bottom end, which offer multiple options for resistance as the carriage is pushed or pulled along the frame. At the spring end of the Reformer, there is an adjustable bar called the footbar. This bar can be used by the feet or hands. The Reformer also has long straps with handles on them that are meant for your feet or hands. These straps are magical because they allow you to move through full range of motion exercises in your shoulders and hips, and provide you with resistance for your entire body with an emphasis on the core. Our Reformer machines at Four Seasons have an extra bonus—the tower, which allows for even more options to strengthen and lengthen! One of the best things about the Reformer is the versatility. Exercises can be done lying down, sitting, standing pulling the straps, pushing the footbar, perched on the footbar or shoulder blocks, with additional equipment, sideways and more!
Why it Works
SLX is a great stand-alone workout or compliment to your current fitness routine. Improving strength, flexibility, coordination and balance lead to daily life improvements like better posture, graceful and efficient movement, and relief from pain associated with physical imbalances such as back pain. SLX’s Pilates Reformer machines provide resistance while moving our joints through their full range of motion—known as an eccentric contraction, which is one of the keys to achieving the long, strong muscles that Pilates is known for. Regular participation in SLX will also drastically increase your core strength, which is the powerhouse of your body that all movement stems from. The instability of a rolling carriage with the springs, set at different levels of resistance, provides all kinds of stability challenges that develop core strength and promote better balance.
Overall, SLX just makes you feel good… and, who doesn’t want to feel good? You will leave your class or session feeling stronger, a little taller, more flexible, less achy and much happier. The beauty of it all is—this workout is for anyone of any age, gender, pro-athlete to recreational athlete. We all deserve to feel good…we all deserve to SLX! Check out our SLX page to learn more.
If you’re interested in trying SLX once on us, or would like to learn a little more, fill out the form below!