REFORM SCHOOL

WHAT DO PHILLY’S LEANEST, MEANEST PHYSIQUES ALL HAVE IN COMMON? THE MEGA-CHALLENGING MEGAFORMER WORKOUT.

What do Philly’s leanest, meanest physiques all have in common? The mega-challenging Megaformer workout.

You may think that all Megaformer workouts are created equal-- the uber- cool studios, the muscle- shaking small movements, the elaborate Lagree equipment-but we can assure you they aren’t. The Megaformer is like the Pilates reformer— but on steroids thanks to its resistance springs, pulleys, and straps. Here, the top three Philly names for feeling the burn.

SCULPT

’Hood: South Broad Street (777 S. Broad St.; sfsphilly .com). The Download: Owner and instructor Stephanie Tolar’s sunny, blue-hued studio just celebrated its second anniversary. Claim to Fame: On any given day Tolar can be found behind the welcome desk, teaching classes, or helping clients pick out the perfect Sculpt swag. It’s this boots-on-theground approach (or toeless yoga socks) that she says sets her studio apart. “We’ve been pioneering this workout in the city since 2015,” she says, “and tailor our version of the Megaformer workout to Philly clients.”

SOLIDCORE

’Hood: Center City and the Main Line (multiple locations; solidcore.co). The Download: Dc-bred Solidcore’s third location at 2116 Chestnut Street opens at the end of June and joins cool, neon-laced sister studios in Washington Square and Bryn Mawr. Claim to Fame: Solidcore designed its own machines to offer a more targeted workout, says founder and CEO Anne Mahlum. Four different spring tensions offer varying resistance levels and the handlebars are adjustable for height.

SLT

’Hood: Rittenhouse (1625 Walnut St.; sltnyc.com). The Download: Opening in late July, New York-based SLT, an acronym for Strengthen Lengthen Tone, delivers thanks to strength training, Pilates, and cardio moves. Why else would Sofia Vergara break a sweat here? Claim to Fame: In addition to 13 spots for regular classes, SLT offers a separate room with two Megaformers for private sessions. SLT founder and CEO Amanda Freeman says SLT’S mix of exercises is ideal to get toned without bulking up. “It’s a challenging workout for men and women who are seeking a core-intensive, full-body workout that they will feel instantly.”