Fitter, Stronger, Tougher, Swankier. Looking for gyms in Bali to keep the heart rate and fitness levels high, or weight training and pump classes to balance out a few of the the holiday naughties? Or hanging out on the island and your waistline is looking about as round as the Potato Head pool bar? It happens to the best of us. You’re not alone. Time to drag or follow your butt to the gym. Thankfully enough, Bali plays host to a suite of gyms and fitness institutes, from swanky to sweaty with everything in between. Here’s a list of South Bali’s top gyms to keep you in tip top shape with regular workout of the day or hurricane sessions!
S2S CrossFit Bali, Canggu
CROSSFIT. There, we said it. We’ve started with CrossFit. Why? Results, that’s why. Damn good ones. And you know what? Despite the reputation of CrossFit being only for hard-core fitness junkies (which is also true), CrossFit offers a supreme workout for all fitness levels. S2S is the first CrossFit affiliate in Bali, and they now have two locations. One of the best things about S2S CrossFit is that the sessions are welcoming, strong, tough and fun. And some sessions venture outside the ‘box’, hitting the streets and getting out into the Bali world around you. And you can start with beginner classes, if you need to. S2S CrossFit, Jalan Raya Semat, Berawa Canggu, p. +62813 3937 3550. Jalan Segara Wangi no. 36, Jimbaran.
Motion Fitness, Seminyak
Motion Fitness has, without knowing it, become a popular verb dropped amongst the Bali expat crowd. “Are you Motioning? Did you Motion this morning? Should we Motion?” and so on. If working out amongst the islands most babe’n bodies doesn’t frighten the sports bra off you, then this is the place for you. Prepare yourself for high energy, huge sultry beats and plenty of sweat. Offering group classes only, you can avoid navigating your way through a maze of gym equipment and trying to find your own determination. They also run group challenges like the “Cellulite Killer” and can work up food plans in conjunction with their café in Canggu called Avocado. Motion Fitness, Jalan Petitenget No.8L, Seminyak, Bali, p. +62 8123 6108789, Opening hours, Mon-Sat: 7.30am-7.45pm.
Bali Fit, Canggu
What stands out at Bali Fit, Fitness for Warriors is the unmatchable passion oozing out of the team of trainers. One of the newest additions on the Bali fitness block, it’s being set up as a full fitness retreat, re their holistic and ‘lifestyle’ approach. They’re all about transforming mind-sets and changing lives from the inside out. It’s as much about believing in yourself and knowing you have the power, without the cult-y attachments. And then, there’s those workouts. They will push you, in a good way. Hurricane Day? If it’s good enough for Michael Klim, it’s good enough for us. Bali Fit, Jalan Munduk Catu, Batu Bolong, Canggu, Bali, p. +62822 3662 7173.
Bali Fitness, Seminyak
A huge fave with the Seminyak expat crowd is Bali Fitness, on Sunset. Barbell, Pilates, Core Strength and Yoga are just some of the classes on the Bali Fitness schedule. And you get access to all the sessions through their many memberships, with a one-month pass being just 600,000 IDR. Their Les Mills classes is a popular draw card – BodyCombat, Body Pump along with TRX, Zumba, Pilates and Yoga. Bali Fitness, 333 Sunset Road, Seminyak, Bali, p. +62361 847 5814, e: [email protected].
Canggu Club Gym, Canggu
Barefoot group classes and open air gyms not really your style? The Canggu Club is your luxe, elite fitness alterative. Aside from their fully equipped gymnasium (it’s not simply a “gym” when it’s this fancy) that can hold 60 fitness fans at once, they also have a 26 strong cycle studio, a boxing and TRX studio, towels, lockers, personal training, a swimming pool and a perfectly thought out and varied group fitness schedule. Sure, it may not be the cheapest option on the island, but if you can afford to work or fork it out, you won’t be disappointed. Canggu Club, Jalan Pantai Berawa, Canggu, Bali, p. +62361 848 3939.
Gym at Peppers Seminyak, Seminyak
Exercise doesn’t feel quite so exercise-y when you’re hanging out a five star hotel. Peppers Seminyak has a complete wellness facility that is open to the public with a daily rate of IDR 100.000net/person, which isn’t too bad, particularly given you get access to their 35-metre rock pool. They also have kickboxing and yoga sessions available. For those keen to really settle into life at Peppers Seminyak without actually checking in, why not become a member of their co-working space, Connect@, then gym access is all yours between 10am and 4pm, and you will get a host of other benefits to boot (15% off their spa and The Laneway restaurant, anyone?). Peppers Seminyak Gym, Jalan Pura Telaga Waja, Petitenget, Seminyak, Bali, p. +62361 730 333.
Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort Gym, Kuta Beach
It’s Gym with Benefits! Sheraton Fitness has partnered with the world-renowned team of experts at Core Performance to deliver training and lifestyle solutions based on four essential fundamentals; mind-set, nutrition, movement and recovery. Connect with Sheraton Fitness with a membership from IDR 1,250,000 per month, which includes free use of the sauna at Shine Spa and the outdoor infinity pool, and 15% off on food & drinks (excluding alcoholic versions) and Shine Spa signature treatments at their Shine Spa.
Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort, Jalan Pantai Kuta, Kuta Bali 80361, Indonesia. p.+62 361 846555.
HammerHead, Seminyak/Legian
Yes, yes, we know what you’re thinking: “HammerHead? That sounds like a place of performance enhancers and rowdy fights over who deserves what dumbbell.” It’s not. It’s totally not. HammerHead Gym is a fun place of Zumba, hip hop, and belly dancing classes, with friendly trainers who are proudly built on natural determination alone. The gym is fully equipped and usually filled with just the right amount of people so you don’t find yourself lining up, nor do you find yourself wondering if you are the only person in Bali currently choosing exercise over cocktails at Potato Head. HammerHead Bali Gym, Jalan Nakula, 3rd Floor Kawan Mini Market, Kuta, Bali, p. +62361 780 7751.
Daily Gym, Seminyak
If you’re the kind of person that likes to spend your dosh on actually enjoying life (as in, not on essentials like exercise, cleaning products and electricity bills) then Daily Gym is where you need to be. It’s complete with a great weights room and boxing ring, too. You won’t feel like you’re staining precious carpet with your beads of sweat, it’s a place to get down and dirty and really shed the KGS. Daily Gym, 72x Jalan Petitenget, Seminyak, Bali.
Moxx, Seminyak
The twenty-minute work out – need we say more? Moxx is all about Electro Muscle Stimulation (EMS) technology, considered a revolution in the world of sport (naturally, it was developed in Germany). Fitness clubs and beauty salons use the machine to build muscle, burn fat and also to get rid of cellulite. But hey, if Usain Bolt, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer swear by it, we’re not here to question the details. What have you got to lose? Only twenty-minutes off your life and 8 centimeters off your upper thighs. Moxx, Jalan Kunti I, Kuta, Bali, p. +62 361 738167.
Rai Fitness on Sunset, Seminyak
OK… so we know we’re at more than ten, but listen in! If body contests and bulging muscles inspire you to work the bod, then Rai Fitness on Sunset will be your gateway to a fantastic physique. Open from 6am until 10pm, this is also one for the all hours fitness freak. What makes Rai unique is its dedication to education, offering seminars, workshops and talks as a regular part of their operations. A garden outdoor space with beanbags and a café are the icing on the … oh wait, you can’t eat cake. Sorry. Rai Fitness, Jalan Pura Mertasari 27, Seminyak Bali, p. +620361 894 7333. Top image credit: Josh Symon Photography, via S2S CrossFit.