ACTIVITIES ON THE GO: STAY FIT AS AN EXTENDED STAY TRAVELER IN BALI
Health & Wellness
If you currently work remotely while you travel, you already know the freedom and excitement that this lifestyle can offer. Who wouldn’t want the chance to see the world while still working on projects and building up your professional life? It’s a win-win situation!
However, this lifestyle does come with its own challenges. One of these challenges is staying in shape. It’s hard enough to keep fitness levels up even when you’re at home in a regular routine! When we factor in an extended-stay workstyle, the obstacles really start to stack up. With new people to meet, sights to see, and delicious foods to try, it can be easy to put fitness on the back burner and slide into vacation mode. But it doesn’t have to be so difficult.
Particularly in a place like Bali, which is very popular for extended-stay travelers, there are so many great options for easy exercise and healthy food. Here are a few simple ideas to keep yourself in tip-top shape while you take in Bali:
Activity at your Accommodations
The first place to look for exercise options should be at your residence. That’s right, before you even walk out the front door, you can contribute to your own physical fitness! If you can, book accommodations for yourself that advertise having a fitness center or pool. It’s also very likely that your accommodations will advertise outside clubs and activities for you to try. Since so many slow travelers like you are looking for things to do and ways to stay in shape, many of the coliving spaces will offer suggestions. Check out Matra Coliving & Coworking in Canggu, which has associations with yoga classes, Muay Thai clubs, and surf camps that you can attend. Also, take a look at Biliq Coliving and Camp 308, which both offer on-site swimming pools where you can get some low-impact exercise.
Outdoor Activities
Bali is a beautiful part of the world. It makes sense to get as much of your exercise outside as you can, especially if you’ve never been to Indonesia before. Can you imagine meeting your fitness goals for the day while taking in the incredible sights of Bali? A great option is to try getting into the routine of a morning walk or run. Not only is this a great way to wake up for the day, but it’s also great cardio exercise, and you can choose a new route each morning! You’ll get to know your neighborhood better than ever, and you’ll get into great shape if you can keep up a consistent routine.
Another great idea for outdoor exercise is to travel by bike or scooter. Talk about convenience, too! You can increase your sightseeing range by a lot when you’re on two wheels, and you still get a ton of exercise.
Gyms and Studios
If you prefer to get your exercise indoors or need access to specific workout equipment, Bali also has a ton of gym and studio options. And best of all, a lot of them offer day passes, so you don’t have to make any big commitments. Try out Fortitude Bali for focused classes or JungleBox Ubud, which has equipment for CrossFit training.
Yoga and Wellness Retreats
Get ready, yoga enthusiasts, because Bali is, in fact, famous for its yoga! The town of Ubud, in particular, is world-renowned for its serene atmosphere and is a popular yoga destination for that reason. Surrounded by rice fields and jungle, and filled with temples and shrines, it’s easy to see how this town would cultivate the most peaceful mindset for practicing yoga. But it’s not just in Ubud; great yoga can be found all over the province, and for those who love it, it will definitely be worth your while to check out classes in a few different areas. Try The Practice in Canggu, which boasts world-class teachers and quality classes, or Radiantly Alive, which has locations in both Ubud and Canggu.
Something that might also be worth your while is looking into wellness retreats in Bali. If you’re more into a committed period of focus on fitness, this could be for you, and you’ll find that there are tons of options. Often pairing yoga with meditation, spa and relaxation activities, and sometimes healing practices, these offer a deeper approach to yoga and fitness and may be the perfect thing to add to your fitness journey in Bali.
Swimming and Other Water Sports
For a full-body workout that’s easy on the joints, nothing beats swimming. Why not take advantage of Bali’s beautiful beaches and plentiful pools while you’re there? If the beaches are calling your name, it might be fun to try surfing or boogie-boarding, which are both popular activities in Bali as well.
A few particular spots to note: Seminyak Beach is legendary, with moderate waves that make it a great spot for beginner surfers and boogie-boarders, as well as access points to happening clubs on the waterfront. This place gets busy, as you can imagine! Also, check out Uluwatu Beach, which is a destination for surfing, and Virgin Beach, which is one of the best beaches for swimming.
Healthy Eating
Outside of exercising, a huge component of staying in shape is based on how you eat, of course. Fortunately for slow-travelers headed to Bali, there are plenty of options to stay healthy while also fully enjoying the delicious food of Indonesia. Some of the most beloved restaurants are also focused on providing food of great value that is good for you. Try out Motion Café in Canggu, which is committed to 100% clean eating with natural ingredients, or Nalu Bowls in Seminyak, perfect for a post-surf snack.
Staying in shape is a challenge for everyone, but a nomadic lifestyle doesn’t have to be much of a hurdle to keeping your fitness levels healthy. Stay adaptable, stay creative, and explore what you like about exercise. In a place like Bali, this exploration will be a lot of fun, and you’ll also love the results for your health and happiness.