Pilates Just Got Playful… with Puppies!

File this under fitness, but make it fun: Puppies and Pilates is officially popping up across the greater Washington area, and it’s bringing equal parts burn and bark.

In DC, Arlington, West Springfield, and Annapolis, this isn’t just a gimmicky stretch session with a side of selfies. Founder Bethany Kazaba, the force behind Neighborhood Retail Group, has built a concept that’s structured and serotonin-boosting: a legit Pilates workout, plus puppies!!

The format is simple but dangerously appealing — 45 minutes of real-deal Pilates (think controlled core work, not casual crunches), followed by 30 minutes of “wellness time,” aka hanging out with a rotating cast of adoptable, tail-wagging co-stars. There are even mocktails involved, served from unapologetically cute pink bar carts. Hydration, but make it adorable.

On the programming side, this isn’t amateur hour. Classes are curated by Alex Perrin, a former [solidcore] leader and longtime dancer, so the workout actually works. This means you will absolutely feel it the next day… even if you were briefly distracted by a puppy climbing onto your mat mid-plank.

The puppy piece? Carefully managed and purpose-driven. These little scene-stealers are in early socialization mode, getting used to people and play before heading to their forever homes. So yes, it’s cute, but it’s also quietly meaningful.

Classes run weekends only (for now), capped at 30 participants to keep things calm, controlled, and canine-friendly. Tickets clock in at $65, which, considering the combo of fitness, fluff, and feel-good energy, feels like a fair trade.