Sweat it out on the sand at NY Fit Fest
Oh, you thought beach bodies weren’t a thing in September?
Tell that to the fitness fanatics headed to NY Fit Fest this Saturday and Sunday in Long Beach, LI. The exercise event brings well-known trainers and more than 40 different workout classes to the boardwalk and beachfront, from boot camp in the waves to kickboxing on the sand.
“Sky above, sand below, peace within — there’s a special feeling you have when you’re near the ocean. It’s invigorating,” says co-founder and publicist Ingrid Dodd of the twoday extravaganza, which is in its third year and charges $75 and up for tickets.
The festival takes place in front of the Allegria Hotel, which is offering an overnight stay as part of a Fit Fest package for $500. Most of the classes take place on Saturday, although those whose muscles are still functioning can stick around for a rooftop yoga session the next day.
Classes are designed to be accessible for people of all fitness levels. They include variations of cycling, yoga, Zumba, kickboxing, pilates, pole dancing and a militarystyle boot camp.
That last one’s no joke: “The instructor actually has the class do their situps with the waves crashing over them,” says Dodd, who lives in nearby Lido Beach.
Other perks of the day pass include access to a Lululemon-sponsored recovery lounge, massage booths, reiki healing sessions and meditation classes, in addition to vendors selling fitness gear.
There’s plenty to do in the time between classes, too — including kicking back on the sand for a little downtime.
But last year’s participants generally chose to pack their schedules with backto-back workouts.
“By the third class, they were getting their asses kicked,” says Dodd.