Cedar Grove is the beach Staten Islanders keep to themselves — a calm, uncrowded strand inside Great Kills Park — and a 9am Pilates hour there beats any studio: hard-packed sand for a mat, surf for a soundtrack, and the whole beach ahead of you when class ends. Beach fitness series like August Rise make the case that the Island's south shore is a wellness destination in plain sight. Bring a mat and stay for a swim.
What to expect
A guided one-hour mat Pilates class on the sand, suitable for mixed levels; participants set up facing the water. Most people linger on the beach afterward.
Good to know
- Cedar Grove Beach is inside Great Kills Park, off Hylan Blvd — follow park signs to the Cedar Grove lot
- S78 bus along Hylan Blvd is the transit option; driving is easier
- Free — bring your own mat or large towel
- Morning sun is strong on the sand; water and sunscreen are musts
- The beach is swimmable in season — pack a suit for after
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Common questions
Do I need Pilates experience?
No — outdoor community classes are taught for mixed levels, with modifications offered throughout.
What do I bring?
A mat or thick towel, water and sunscreen. Everything else is sand and ocean.
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