Puppies, ponies and Pilates: I tried some of Singapore’s most unconventional fitness classes

Wellness

From yoga with rescued cats to Pilates alongside puppies, ponies and the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, these classes are turning exercise into an experience.

From stretching alongside ponies to cuddling with puppies after a workout, exercise has evolved into something more experiential and we put that novelty to the test. (Photo: CNA/Baani Kaur)

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13 Jun 2026 07:55AM

(Updated: 13 Jun 2026 12:07PM)

There was a time when Pilates didn’t involve much more than a mat or a reformer machine, a mirrored studio and the dreadful silence that descends when the instructor tells you to add pulses. But not anymore.

Now, fitness in Singapore can look a lot different – from a scenic backdrop of the world’s tallest indoor waterfall to puppies wandering across your mat, ponies neighing beside you and cats judging your form from a comfortable distance.

Somewhere along the way, exercise became experiential.

Pilates with ponies for a view. (Photo: CNA/Baani Kaur)

As someone whose relationship with working out has always depended on whether I’m having fun (as you can imagine, I mostly was not), colour me curious. Could puppies, cats, ponies and a majestic waterfall make me forget that I was exercising? There was only one way to find out.

Here are four of Singapore’s most unusual fitness experiences I recently tried.

1. PUPPY PILATES

Dog lovers, I can attest that this will be a true haven for you. It’s a simple concept: a Pilates class where golden retrievers – ranging from puppies to full-grown dogs – freely roam around the studio as participants attempt to work out. "Attempt" is the keyword here, because it takes just one to be merely in your vicinity for all concentration to shatter. In fact, the hope of a dog running into my arms prevented any focus at all.

Hosted as pop-ups by Pilates & Paws in partnership with Golden Paws pet shop and the Gravity by Noir studio, each session begins with a 45-minute beginner-friendly Pilates class that guarantees a burn if you don’t give in to the distraction. Sanitising hands upon entry, participants head to their preferred mats which are neatly laid out, each with a weight and a phone stand for those who’d like to film.

The dogs are not up for sale or adoption. In fact, they already have owners, who send them for these sessions as an opportunity to socialise and grow confident in environments with different people and sounds.

The dogs are then released as they dash about the room or find a comfortable spot for their nap. Truth be told, the adorable creatures had more of my attention than the instructor. I’d abandon every pose the second I locked eyes with any puppy in hopes to catch them in my arms if our moment of eye contact meant anything to them. More often than not, I’d sigh in resignation and pick the weight back up.

After the Pilates, however, as each participant was served a refreshing glass of apple juice as a post-workout treat, was when the real deal truly began – puppy politics. He who held the treat held the power to lure a dog into an embrace. This is when 30 minutes of free play with the puppies begins.

Each participant is also promised a Polaroid picture with the pups, so the staff would skilfully seat the dogs with a treat in hand for a photo.

At this point, it was as if the Pilates class never even happened. All pain was forgotten and forgiven the second I touched the dogs. Every one of them was friendly and a willing captive to cuddles until a treat called their name. Under the watchful eye of the staff who would even carry the dogs to those who weren’t getting their attention, the environment was charged with baby-voice blubbering resounding from every corner.

With such a sweet pay-off at the end, I’d willingly put myself through those 45 minutes again.

More details on Pilates & Paws' Instagram .

2. KITTY YOGA

Feline fanatics, there’s something for you, too. Albeit not a Pilates class, this yoga class promises a good stretch with poses that might even feel like a biological marvel – all while the cats roam about freely.

In a little studio on Arab Street by Fuzzies Singapore where nine rescued cats reside, an intimate hour-long session begins with a 45-minute beginner-friendly yoga class before 15 minutes of play time with the cats. Complete with ground rules at the start of class along with cards of information about each cat’s likes, dislikes, habits and warnings on the wall, the class is just as safe for the felines as it is for you.

Cats, being way calmer and quieter, made for peaceful companions to yoga. Until a little cat fight erupted and the serenity came crashing down when one dashed right in front of me with a vicious meow. Let’s just say I had my guard up after that – though we were told that this was not a usual occurrence. It wasn’t as easy to close my eyes when moving, like we were guided to sometimes, as I feared accidentally hurting them.

Nonetheless, i…