September 1, 2025, 6:25 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
Yoga on soft sand, a gentle breeze, and gazing at the sea—if that doesn’t sound desirable! That’s exactly what I was looking forward to during my vacation in Sweden, and I made it happen. Exercising on the beach is a great change from the gym, but is it effective? The answer: sort of.
Travel and fitness influencers seem to do it all the time: yoga by the sea. They appear not only in great spirits and perfectly styled but also super fit and hardly sweaty. They elegantly hold challenging yoga poses or smoothly transition from one exercise to the next. I knew beforehand that a beach workout would look different for me. But it also had pitfalls I hadn’t anticipated.
Grabbed the Mat in the Morning and Headed to the Beach
Since we rented a vacation home with direct access to the beach, it was easy for me to grab the mat in the morning to exercise on the mentioned beach. So, I grabbed the mat, and off I went.
But I quickly realized that the soft sand might not be so suitable for smoothly moving from one asana to another. The mat slipped, sank a bit, and soon I found myself with one foot in a hollow. It was good training for my feet and ankles, as they had to work hard to keep me steady. However, the sand was a challenge for performing yoga poses. Some exercises I simply couldn’t do or couldn’t do correctly, making the workout not very effective.
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Yoga Fun with a View of the Sea–Well, Not Really
Okay, but at least I have a great view of the sea. Yes, but only briefly. Because in the yoga flow, if it worked, you move from bottom to top, from one side to the other, and often turn your back to the sea.
I would enjoy the sea more intensely at the end of the workout, perhaps during a small closing meditation. More annoying were the flies buzzing around me, a sometimes strong wind, and the sand that quickly stuck to me thanks to sweat. I didn’t mind that much, as a small dip in the ocean and then a shower awaited me anyway. But what I underestimated was how much the sand chafed during certain exercises. I was constantly busy brushing off the sand.
I quickly abandoned the idea of performing asana flows, preferring to hold individual asanas longer and focus more on stretching than strength.
What Worked Better? Light Strength Training on Sand Dune
Despite the described pitfalls, it was a pleasure to do a small workout in the fresh air every day. Sometimes I moved it to the garden of the vacation home, sometimes I was drawn back to the beach. A dune between the house and the beach offered firmer sand—I moved my workout there several times. When I tried a strength workout instead of yoga (I had brought resistance bands for this purpose), I found it felt more effective. Despite a somewhat shaky stance, I felt my muscles. Plus, I could realign my body after each set to keep the sea in view. A dream!
Ultimately, for me, exercising on the beach is about staying active and maintaining my workout routine—but the focus is mainly on the ambiance. I can only advise letting your thoughts wander during beach workouts and being aware of where you are. What a luxury to travel to beautiful countries and stay fit with training in the most beautiful settings. This mindfulness is as good for the soul as the exercise is for the body!