Bali for Fitness Enthusiasts: Gyms, Yoga, Recovery

Bali has become one of the world’s top fitness travel destinations. The combination of affordable training facilities, year-round warm weather, an abundance of healthy food, and a community of athletic travelers creates an environment where it’s actually easier to stay fit than at home. Professional athletes use Bali as a training base. Fitness influencers film here because the gyms look incredible. And regular people come here and find themselves in the best shape of their lives because everything about the lifestyle supports it.

Whether you’re a serious lifter, a yoga practitioner, a CrossFit athlete, or just someone who wants to stay active while traveling, this guide covers every option.

Gyms and Strength Training

Top Gyms in Bali

Nirvana Strength (Canggu) — The gym that put Bali on the fitness map. Open-air design with jungle views, world-class free weights, Olympic lifting platforms, specialty bars, and strongman equipment. The vibe is serious but welcoming. This is where professional athletes and dedicated lifters train. Day pass around $10, monthly from $80.

S2S CrossFit (Canggu) — One of Southeast Asia’s best CrossFit affiliates. Full programming, open gym access, Olympic lifting coaching, and regular community workouts. The coaching is legit — several trainers have competed at regional levels. Drop-in $15, monthly from $120.

Finns Recreation Club (Canggu) — A massive complex with a fully equipped gym, 25-meter lap pool, tennis courts, bowling, trampolines, and a beach club. More of a fitness resort than a gym. Great for families and people who want variety. Day pass $25 (includes all facilities), monthly from $150.

The Body Factory (Seminyak) — Seminyak’s premier gym. Modern equipment, air-conditioned (rare in Bali gyms), good range of machines and free weights. Attracts a mix of tourists and expats. Day pass $8, monthly from $60.

Bali Fitness (Ubud) — The best gym in Ubud, though don’t expect Canggu-level equipment. Solid free weights, basic machines, and functional training area. What it lacks in equipment it makes up for with a beautiful garden setting. Day pass $5, monthly from $40.

Outdoor Training

Bali’s tropical environment creates unique outdoor training opportunities:

Beach workouts. Seminyak and Canggu beaches are popular for morning bootcamps and individual training. Running on sand is a brutal leg workout, and many trainers offer beachside HIIT sessions at sunrise. Free.

Stair training. Campuhan Ridge Walk in Ubud is a popular running and walking route. For something more intense, the 300+ stairs at Nungnung Waterfall or the climb to Lempuyang Temple provide serious cardio challenges.

Swimming. Open water swimming at Sanur (calm, reef-protected) or lap swimming at Finns. Many villas have pools long enough for training laps if you book carefully.

Trail running. The Campuhan Ridge, Tegallalang rice terrace paths, and Mount Batur are popular trail running routes. Join the Bali Hash House Harriers for social group runs through the jungle.

Personal Training

Personal training in Bali is excellent quality at a fraction of Western prices. Expect to pay $20-40 per session for a qualified trainer (vs. $80-150 in cities like Sydney or New York). Many trainers are certified through international organizations and have worked with professional athletes.

How to find a good trainer: Ask at the gym where you plan to train. Canggu’s gyms have the largest selection. Check credentials and specializations. Trial sessions before committing to a package.

Yoga

The Yoga Scene

Bali — particularly Ubud — is one of the world’s premier yoga destinations. Hundreds of studios offer every style from gentle Hatha to power Vinyasa to traditional Ashtanga. The quality of instruction is generally very high because Bali attracts teachers from around the world.

Top Yoga Studios

The Yoga Barn (Ubud) — Bali’s most famous yoga studio. Multiple shalas (practice rooms) in a jungle setting, 15+ classes daily, on-site garden cafe, and a community feel that draws people back year after year. Drop-in $12-15.

Radiantly Alive (Ubud) — Known for excellent alignment-focused teaching. Smaller class sizes than the Yoga Barn, which means more personal attention. Strong Vinyasa and Yin programs. Drop-in $12.

Samadi Bali (Canggu) — The Canggu yoga staple. Combines yoga with a raw food cafe, permaculture garden, and wellness treatments. Morning Vinyasa classes are especially good. Drop-in $10-12.

Desa Seni (Canggu) — A village of traditional wooden houses converted into a yoga retreat. Beautiful setting, experienced teachers, and a strong emphasis on community and sustainability. Drop-in $12.

The Practice (Canggu) — Modern studio with a rooftop shala. Good for yogis who want a more contemporary setting. Hot yoga, aerial yoga, and sound healing sessions. Drop-in $12.

Yoga Retreats

If you want to go deeper, Bali’s yoga retreats range from weekend intensives to month-long teacher training programs:

Weekend retreats (2-3 days): Typically $200-500 including accommodation, meals, and multiple daily practices. Good for sampling the retreat experience.

Week-long retreats (5-7 days): $500-2,000 depending on luxury level. Usually include twice-daily yoga, meditation, healthy meals, excursions, and spa treatments.

Teacher training (200-hour): $2,000-5,000 over 3-4 weeks. Bali is one of the most popular places in the world to get your yoga teaching certification. Accredited programs run year-round.

For a deeper exploration, see our full guide to Bali wellness retreats.

Martial Arts and Combat Sports

Training Options

Muay Thai. Several gyms in Canggu offer Muay Thai training, including Bali MMA and numerous independent trainers. Quality varies — look for trainers with actual fighting experience. Drop-in classes from $10-15.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The BJJ community in Bali has grown substantially. De Groot BJJ in Canggu and Bali MMA offer structured programs. Drop-in from $15.

Boxing. Private boxing sessions are available at most gyms and through independent trainers. A great supplement to your regular training. Sessions from $15-25.

Surfing as training. Don’t underestimate surfing as a workout. Paddling out, duck-diving, and popping up work your shoulders, core, back, and cardiovascular system. A 2-hour surf session can burn 400-700 calories.

Recovery and Wellness

Recovery Facilities

Training hard in tropical heat demands serious recovery. Bali has embraced the recovery trend:

Ice baths and cold plunge. Multiple facilities in Canggu now offer dedicated cold plunge pools (3-10 degrees Celsius). Wim Hof-style breathwork and cold therapy sessions are increasingly popular.

Infrared sauna. Several wellness centers have infrared sauna cabins. Paired with cold plunge, this creates an effective contrast therapy routine.

Sports massage. Bali’s massage therapists are among the best and most affordable in the world. A deep tissue sports massage costs $15-30 per hour. Many therapists are experienced with athletic clients and can target specific problem areas. The standard Balinese massage is also excellent for recovery — focused on pressure points and stretching.

Physiotherapy and chiropractic. Qualified physiotherapists and chiropractors practice in Canggu and Seminyak. Expect to pay $30-60 per session — significantly cheaper than Western countries for comparable quality.

Float tanks. Sensory deprivation float tanks are available at several wellness centers. A 60-minute session costs $25-40 and is excellent for both physical and mental recovery.

Nutrition

Eating for performance is straightforward in Bali. The island’s cafe culture has embraced health-conscious dining:

Smoothie bowls and acai. Available at virtually every cafe in Canggu. Packed with fruit, protein, and superfoods. $4-8.

Meal prep services. Several Bali-based companies offer daily meal delivery with macros calculated. Typical cost: $10-15/day for three meals. Search Facebook groups for current providers.

Local protein sources. Babi guling (suckling pig), ayam betutu (slow-cooked chicken), ikan bakar (grilled fish), and tempeh are all excellent local protein sources. A nasi campur plate with extra protein from a warung costs $2-4 and delivers 40-50g of protein.

Supplements. Basic supplements (whey protein, creatine, BCAAs) are available at gyms and health food stores, though imported brands are pricier than at home. Stock up before you arrive if you have specific brands you prefer.

Building a Fitness Routine in Bali

Sample Weekly Schedule

Monday: Morning gym (strength), evening yoga class Tuesday: Sunrise surf session, afternoon sports massage Wednesday: Morning gym (strength), evening Muay Thai or boxing Thursday: Active recovery — cycling tour or rice terrace hike, evening yin yoga Friday: Morning gym (strength), afternoon beach workout Saturday: Mount Batur sunrise trek or white water rafting — adventure day Sunday: Rest day — pool, spa, healthy brunch, cold plunge

Adapting to the Climate

Training in Bali’s tropical heat (28-33 degrees Celsius, 70-85% humidity) requires adjustments:

• Hydrate aggressively. Drink 3-4 liters per day minimum. Add electrolytes, especially after training.
• Train early or late. The 6-8 AM and 4-6 PM windows are the most comfortable for outdoor training.
• Reduce volume initially. Your body needs 1-2 weeks to acclimatize. Drop training volume by 20-30% in your first week and build back up.
• Expect performance drops. Heat and humidity reduce power output and endurance. Don’t chase PRs in your first two weeks.
• Sun protection. Wear sunscreen even for early morning outdoor sessions. The equatorial sun is strong from 7 AM.

What to Pack for Fitness in Bali

Bring:

• Training shoes (open-air gyms can have rough floors)
• Quick-dry workout clothes (cotton stays wet forever in this humidity)
• Resistance bands (light, packable, versatile)
• Reef-safe sunscreen (SPF 50+)
• Electrolyte packets
• Yoga mat if you’re particular (studios provide mats, but quality varies)

Buy there:

• Rashguard for surfing ($10-20 locally vs. $50+ at home)
• Flip-flops (you’ll destroy your good ones)
• Reusable water bottle
• Swim goggles if you plan to swim

Let Gede Plan Your Active Trip

Whether you want a week of surf and yoga, a strength training base camp with volcano treks mixed in, or a fitness retreat that combines training with Bali’s best adventures, Gede can build the perfect schedule around your training goals.

He’ll book your gym passes, arrange transport to morning sessions, schedule activities around your recovery days, and make sure you experience the best of Bali without derailing your fitness routine.

Get your free fitness-focused itinerary →