Top 10 Places to Work Out on LBI

Long Beach Island, New Jersey, may be known for its stunning beaches and delicious seafood, but there's another aspect of this coastal paradise that might surprise you: the impressive fitness culture. As you drive along the boulevard, you'll notice runners jogging and cyclists pedaling for miles at any time of day. It's clear that staying active is a way of life here.

If you're visiting LBI and want to maintain your workout routine between indulging in crab cakes at Kubel's and homemade pop tarts at the Local, you're in luck. We've put together a list of LBI's top ten places to work out to keep you fit while enjoying your time at the shore.

Black Sheep Studios — Haven Beach & Manahawkin

Black Sheep Studios is a fitness enthusiast's dream. Their extensive class list includes Pilates (with private and group reformer training), TRX, DFI Surf Training, barre, beach boot camps, boxing, and a cycle studio that will have you dancing (and sweating) in the dark. Black Sheep has recently expanded to two locations, including a new space in Manahawkin, and they even offer Zumba and barre classes at Manahawkin Lake Park. For a guaranteed great workout in a beautifully designed space, book a class at Black Sheep.

Known for: Pilates, boot camps, cycling
Recommended class: Cycology/Barre for two classes in one
Difficulty level: Intermediate to advanced

Yoga Bohemia — Surf City, Beach Haven, & Harvey Cedars

With four studios and three beach locations on the island, Yoga Bohemia offers something for everyone. Choose from challenging classes like Vibrant Vinyasa, Ashtanga/Vinyasa Remix, or Yoga Sculpt — or opt for more relaxed options such as Slow Flow, Gentle, and Restorative. If you're feeling adventurous, check out Aerial Yoga at the Bay Village studio or Stand Up Paddle Board Yoga on the bay.

Known for: Beach yoga, gentle yoga, retreats
Recommended class: Morning Beach Yoga to get your day started off right
Difficulty level: Beginner to intermediate

Pyour Core — Ship Bottom

Pilates fans, rejoice. You'll love Pyour Core in Ship Bottom. This studio offers mat and reformer training, as well as Real Ryder Cycling for a core-strengthening cardio workout. With various group fitness classes, private sessions, and injury-focused training sessions, Pyour Core caters to a wide range of fitness needs.

Known for: Pilates, cycling
Recommended class: Real Ryder Cycling for a unique cycle experience
Difficulty level: Intermediate to advanced (good balance recommended)

Elite Fitness — Beach Haven Terrace

As LBI's only year-round gym, Elite Fitness has been a local staple for over 25 years. This small-scale facility offers three fitness sections during peak season: outdoor weight lifting, boxing, and group fitness classes on their Palm Patio; the Bamboo Spin Room for outdoor cycling enthusiasts; and the year-round Gym Floor with cardio machines, weight lifting equipment, and a stretching station.

Known for: Weight lifting (indoor and outdoor), cycling, boxing
Recommended class: Spin in the Bamboo Spin Room
Difficulty level: Beginner to advanced

Hot or Not Yoga — Manahawkin

While technically not on the island, Hot or Not Yoga is the only studio in the area offering hot power yoga and the classic Hot 26 sequence. Classes range from gentle to hot power, catering to all levels. They offer two large studio spaces and a number of excellent teachers to choose from.

Known for: Hot 26 yoga, power vinyasa yoga, yin yoga
Recommended class: Happy Hips & Hamstrings to stretch out after a beach day
Difficulty level: Beginner to advanced

Lyceum Fitness — Ship Bottom & Manahawkin

With two locations — one on the island and one in Manahawkin — Lyceum Fitness provides everything you need from a gym, plus showers and saunas for after your workout. Enjoy a peaceful gym environment with plenty of natural light and a variety of classes, including Step, Zumba, Yoga, and Pilates. There's even a women's-only gym upstairs.

Known for: Weight lifting, Zumba, Step, women's-only section
Recommended class: Zumba to turn your cardio session into a party
Difficulty level: Suitable for all levels

AME Fitness — Ship Bottom

Founded by former USA Gymnastics Junior Olympian Alessandra Maria Elenis, AME Fitness is one of the newest additions to LBI's fitness scene. This studio offers unique classes like Feet Up Yoga, Pilates Wheel, and Stand Up Paddle Board Yoga, as well as aerial yoga classes and clinics. AME also offers Yoga Teacher Training for those looking to deepen their practice.

Known for: Aerial yoga, paddle board yoga
Recommended class: Aerial Yoga to go upside-down in a safe space
Difficulty level: Intermediate to advanced (should be comfortable being upside down)

The Shakes Pilates — Beach Haven

The newest pilates studio on the island, The Shakes brought a mat-based practice to the south end and locals took to it fast. Classes are built around slow, controlled reps and long holds, the kind of work that has your legs shaking by the halfway point, which is exactly where the name comes from. The space on Long Beach Boulevard is small and bright, classes run early and wrap up by early afternoon, and summer sessions fill quickly, so book ahead. One heads up: grippy socks are required, so bring a pair or you'll be buying one at the front desk.

Known for: Mat pilates, small classes, morning sessions
Recommended class: An early mat class before you claim your beach spot
Difficulty level: Intermediate to advanced

LBI Foundation — Loveladies

For those seeking a cultural twist to their fitness routine, the LBI Foundation offers outdoor yoga classes and occasionally hosts pop-up classes from Black Sheep Studio. It's a great way to combine art, scenery, and exercise during your island stay.

Known for: Outdoor yoga, pop-up classes
Recommended class: Full moon yoga on the outdoor deck
Difficulty level: Beginner to advanced

The Great Outdoors

Sometimes the best gym is nature itself. With 18 miles of island to explore, LBI offers endless opportunities for running, walking, or biking. Water enthusiasts can try their hand at surfing or paddle boarding for a full-body workout with a side of ocean views.

Recommended spots: Barnegat Light State Park, Edward B. Forsythe Wildlife Refuge
Workout groups: Shore Brake Cyclery, Holgate Greenhead Run Club

These are some excellent options to keep you in shape or kick your workout routine into high gear while enjoying all that LBI has to offer. Whether you prefer the structure of a gym, the serenity of a yoga studio, or the freedom of outdoor activities, LBI has something for every fitness level and interest.

There are also several free and donation-based fitness classes available throughout the island. We'll cover more on those options in a future post, so stay tuned.