On Sunday, a group of twelvve Pilates participants at Hope Farm in Corfe Mullen, near Wimborne, shared their mat with a herd of alpacas during a 40‑minute outdoor session. The unconventional class, run by 28‑year‑old instructor Jessica Hole, cost £22.50 per person and formed part of her "Alpaca Pilates" series that launched last summer.

Alpacas mingle with 12 participants at Hope Farm

According to the event description, the fluffy camelids wandered freely among the twelve attendees, even attempting to climb onto a mat to join the routine. One alpaca was seen trying to clamber onto an exercise mat, prompting laughter and a brief pause in the flow. Hole instructed the group to move at their own pace, incorporating 30‑second breaks for stretching and hydration, while the alpacas observed or nudged participants as they held poses.

£22.50 fee fuels alpaca‑pilates venture

The class price of £22.50 per head was promoted as covering both the Pilates instruction and the care of the alpacas , which the instructor describes as “gentle creatures with a calming energy.” In promotional material, Hole highlighted the therapeutic aspect, noting that “being around them is animal therapy at its finest.” The fee also supports her broader Hot Pink Pilates brand , which she launched last year and plans to expand with more outdoor sessions.

Jessica Hole’s 28‑year‑old Hot Pink Pilates brand expands

Hole, originally from North Wales, said her love of animals inspired the concept, adding that Pilates itself borrows movement patterns from creatures such as cats, swans, and elephants. She explained, “Pilates is heavily inspired by animals and the way they move, so taking our class outside in the fresh air amongst our fluffy friends really adds something special to the experience.” The instructor, who began the classes last summer, intends to run them again this year and is exploring additional locations beyond Hope Farm.

Bank holiday weekend sparks outdoor wellness trend

The session took place over the bank‑holiday weekend,a period when many UK residents seek novel outdoor activities.. As reported, the sunny weather encouraged participants to try a hybrid fitness‑and‑animal‑therapy experience, reflecting a broader post‑pandemic shift toward nature‑based wellness. Similar pop‑up classes featuring goats, dogs, and even llamas have appeared in other parts of the country , suggesting a growing appetite for “farm‑fit” offerings.

Will other farms adopt animal‑pilates models?

Open questions remain about the scalability of this model. It is unclear whether other farms have the capacity to host regular sessions or how insurance and animal‑welfare regulations might affect expansion. Additionally, the long‑term impact on participants’ fitness outcomes versus traditional studio Pilates has yet to be studied.