A new fitness class combining yoga, Pilates, and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) exercises on floating mats has launched at the Annenberg Community Beach House pool in Santa Monica, offering participants a unique workout experience on water. The class, known as Floating Fitness, uses inflatable BOGAFiT mats secured in the pool with bungee cords to prevent tipping, allowing participants to perform a full-body routine while balancing on a stable yet movable surface.

Led by instructor Leah Gutentag, a longtime Santa Monica lifeguard and swim instructor, the class emphasizes building core strength, flexibility, and balance through movements adapted to the instability of water. “Your body physically adapts, and your brain mentally adapts,” Gutentag said, describing how muscles engaged on land behave differently when exercised on the floating platform. She noted the workout activates stabilizing muscles in the feet and intensifies core engagement, even for those with prior Pilates or yoga experience.

The Annenberg pool, originally part of a mansion built by William Randolph Hearst for actress Marion Davies, offers an atmospheric setting with its historic charm and close proximity to the beach. While the ocean itself is not visible from the pool, participants experience the coastal ambiance through salty air, sea breezes, and surrounding palm trees. The classes take place during hours when the pool is closed to the public, contributing to an intimate and exclusive environment with typically small groups.

The workout begins with breathing and stretching exercises before progressing to more challenging Pilates-style “pulsing” and traditional moves like squats, planks, crunches, and bird dogs. The floating mat’s instability reveals individual muscle weaknesses and increases the difficulty of familiar exercises. For example, routine movements such as spinal twists and heel raises become considerably more demanding compared to land-based practice. Participants reported feeling the effects in their abdominal muscles for several days following the session.

While not designed as an aerobic workout, the class offers a low-impact option that intensifies effort by engaging stabilizer muscles and demanding continuous balance. The water temperature is maintained at a comfortable 87 degrees, creating a welcoming environment; only one participant fell into the pool during the session observed, and their fall was met with good-natured applause.

Floating Fitness distinguishes itself from other water-based workouts in Los Angeles by combining traditional mat exercises with the dynamic challenge of a floating platform. Unlike typical aquatic fitness classes that use water resistance directly, this format offers “safe instability” on the water’s surface while enabling a wide variety of movement styles. Gutentag described the class as suitable for anyone interested in a novel way to stay active on the water, calling it both fun and effective.

The Floating Fitness class has been offered at the Annenberg Community Beach House for over a year and recently moved its regular sessions to Wednesday evenings. Organizers hope to attract more participants looking for an engaging alternative to conventional fitness routines in the scenic coastal setting.