Chicago’s Lakefront Trail: Beach Yoga

Chicago’s lakefront trail is a motivating place packed with runners, bikers and yogis. It can be a bit crowded, but there’s something calming about exercising on the lakefront that I love. Going at sunrise when the city is just waking up is especially gratifying.

In the warmer months, I’ll take Chicago's Lakefront Trail to Oak Street Beach or Ohio Street Beach for a morning workout. I actually used to teach a bootcamp there at 6am.

In the summer, you can watch the swimmers doing laps in the lake (hats off to them. I could never do that!), but otherwise the beaches are pretty quiet in the mornings, which is nice.

Whenever I get my butt out of bed to workout at the beach, I am rather surprised that so few people are there. It’s really an incredible view of the sun rising and reflecting over Lake Michigan and the skyscrapers. Plus, it’s free.

It is getting a bit colder though, so am bringing my workouts indoors! If you’re looking for a yoga studio in downtown Chicago, Yoga Six is one place I’d recommend.

Beach Yoga

If you’re not a wimp in cold weather and want to experience the lakefront, jogging from North Avenue Beach to Ohio Street Beach and back is about four miles.There’s a great vista point near North Avenue Beach that overlooks the beaches and skyline with the infamous Drake Hotel sign.