Outdoor Pilates events and yoga in the open air

Why we take it outside

Pilates and yoga are usually indoor things. Studio, mirror, reformer. We like taking them outside because it changes the whole feel. Our outdoor Pilates events trade the mirror for a skyline, a lake or a red rock wall, and the class becomes something you remember, not just something you did.

Outdoor sessions we have run

• Pilates + Fireworks, Chicago. Pilates by Buckingham Fountain, with fireworks.
• Beach Pilates, Chicago. Part of the oneSTRNGTH Weekend in September.
• Sunset Sculpt, Chicago. At Theater on the Lake, in July.
• Rooftop Pilates. With Celtic Drip.
• Free lakefront Pilates and yoga, Chicago. July 29 to 31, 2026.
• STRENGTH @ The Rocks, Denver. Last Sundays of the month starting June 28, 2026, at Red Rocks.

Some of these were free. Our free fitness classes page has the free ones.

Mat Pilates outside: what changes

Almost all outdoor Pilates is mat Pilates. No reformers on the beach. That's actually good news if you're new, because mat work is a good place to start. A few things are different from a studio class:

• The ground isn't flat. Grass and sand move under you. Go a little slower on balance work.
• Sun and wind are part of it. Sunscreen, a hat for the walk over, a layer for when the breeze picks up by the lake.
• You need your own mat. A thicker mat helps on grass. On sand, some people use a towel on top.
• Hearing the instructor. Set up closer to the front than you would indoors. Outdoor sound carries away.

Yoga outdoors

The same tips go for yoga. Balance poses are harder on grass, and that's fine. Most instructors will give you a steadier option. Sunrise and sunset classes are popular for a reason: cooler air and better light.

What to wear

Fitted clothes that don't ride up when you roll over, layers you can pull off, and shoes you can slip off at the mat. Our guide on what to wear to a fitness festival has more detail and works well here too.

Pilates or yoga outside?

If you're picking between the two, think about what you want from the hour. Mat Pilates is slower and more precise: core work, control, small movements that burn more than they look. Yoga moves through longer flows and holds, with more stretching and more balance. Both work outdoors. If you're new to both, Pilates on grass is a bit friendlier, since there are fewer standing balance poses to wobble through.

For instructors

If you teach Pilates and want to grow as a teacher, our sister brand STRENGTH Collective runs education for wellness professionals, including PLTS+. STRENGTH IN THE CITY is the community side; STRENGTH Collective is the education side.

Weather

Outdoor classes depend on the weather, so always check the event listing on the day. If plans change, the listing is where the update goes first.

Find the next one

Outdoor Pilates and yoga are mostly a summer thing for us. When the next session is set, it goes on our events calendar.

Questions people ask