They say people who work out together stay together. Also, research suggests that people who work out together stick with their workouts. Gym and studio classes offer easy ways to get fit in a group setting and build community (along with strength), whether that means working out with 20 people or in a more one-on-one setting with a trainer.
And yet, indoors may be the last place you want to be during the summer when days are best spent sitting on vineyard patios, with toes in the sand or simply basing in the warm temperatures you dreamt of all frozen winter long.
You can do both on the East End this summer. Fitness studios, vineyards and hotels are allowing guests to step outside the usual indoor settings by offering al fresco fitness classes and training sessions. Break a sweat at one of these North and South Fork outdoor fitness offerings.
Wölffer Estate Vineyard Yoga in the Vines, 3312 Montauk Highway, Sagaponack, 631-537-5106
Start your weekend with a unique fitness experience at Wölffer Estate Vineyard’s Yoga in the Vines. This popular event, as much a staple as their famed Summer in a Bottle rosé, is back on Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. through Sept. 1. The morning begins with a Pilates session, followed by yoga classes at 9 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. All classes take place on the sprawling estate just behind the Wine Stand, offering breathtaking vineyard vistas. Keep an eye out for occasional pop-up classes like barre and dance. It’s BYOMAW (bring your own mat and water, but if you forget you can purchase them on-site).
The Baker House 1650, 181 Main St. East Hampton, 631-324-4081
Overnight guests and the general public are invited to stretch their mind-body connection on Sunday mornings from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. during outdoor yoga. Nature—including centuries-old trees—provides a gentle soundtrack to classes taught by Erica Dee Velasquez. Classes are $35 per person, and students are invited to bring their own mats or use one of The Baker House 1650’s for $5.
The Menhaden, 207 Front St., Greenport, 631-333-2777
This chic hotel, with views of the harbor for days, offers guests numerous bespoke activities, from oyster charters to outdoor yoga on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Instructors from North Fork Yoga Shala teach the classes on the rooftop deck, allowing guests to breathe the fresh sea air in and out. The cost is $25 per person.
Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa, 290 Old Montauk Highway, Montauk, 631-668-2345
Gurney’s Montauk’s summer fitness series brings influencers and top fitness professionals to the luxury resort’s rooftop deck for elevated and appropriately outside-the-box workouts. The series runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day and includes Live DJ yoga that adds cool jams to the mix and strength classes, including Pilates, which targets the abs and small muscle groups using light weights and body weight, appealing to people of all levels.
Underground Training, 53345 Main Road Unit 10-1, Southold, 631-463-1603
Katie Peters literally took her fitness studio out from underground (as in, her personal basement) when the Orient native opened Underground Training in Southold in 2017. When the weather is warm, students hit the pavement for classes that utilize weights, kettlebells and balls for a slamming-good time that’ll leave you feeling sculpted, stronger and gloriously out of breath.
Test your balance in a low-pressure setting by booking a small, private stand-up paddleboard yoga group class on secluded TBA locations around Shelter Island. Classes generally take place around 10 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Prefer to stay grounded — meaning, literally on land? Venture Out also offers drop-in classes for people of all levels on Saturdays and Sundays at 8 a.m. on Crescent Beach. Classes are taught by Eternal Sunshine owner Jennifer Carroll, who is certified in yoga and SUP yoga instruction and has spent years guiding students through classes that lean into the mind-body-spirit connection.
The Pridwin Hotel & Cottages, 81 Shore Road, Shelter Island, 631-749-0476
Take your shoes off and stretch a while at The Pridiwin’s morning yoga classes. The classes take place poolside and run for an hour from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, allowing you to do literal sun salutations. The classes are included with a stay, but the general public can count themselves in for $25. Additionally, Saturday afternoons are for pickleball. Guests of the hotel are invited to attend pickleball clinics that are included with their stay and can be catered to their skill levels from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. It’s included with a stay.
