From beautiful beaches and affordable shopping to the buzzing night-life, Bali has become a favourite hotspot around the world.
But something that has become a must-visit among tourists visiting is the iconic Bambu Fitness.
Located in Uluwatu, south of Kuta, Bambu Fitness has become one of Bali’s and the world’s most talked-about fitness locations.
It’s not your typical gym, but more of a lifestyle resort, particularly tailored to tourists, expats, and digital nomads.
Putting the hype to the test
As a gym girl myself, plus given the massive hype, I had to try this hotspot for myself on a recent trip I took to Bali.
For starters, the space itself is beautiful, truly nothing like what I have seen in Sydney.
It is a massive gym, half inside and half outdoors, featuring high-end commercial gear for both cardio and weight-driven exercises.
I felt like a kid in a playground. So many things to try.
Bambu Fitness invests heavily in elite-grade competition equipment.
They had an official CrossFit box and a dedicated Olympic weightlifting platform, and many different areas for cardio-style exercises, such as treadmills, rowing machines, and bikes.
They also have reformer pilates, which did seem pretty popular judging by the girls lining up for the class when I was there.
The $24 workout reality
While someone may choose to do their own thing in the gym, the venue also offers instructor-led classes, which consist of Hyrox, Shred, CrossFit, Booty, Lift, Gymnastics and Mobility.
And that’s what I chose to do: the Shred class, which consists of cardio movements and compound weight exercises in an interval-style format that is meant to make you feel “challenged” and “energised”, according to their website.
And I have to be honest, for around $24, I did not feel challenged as much as I was promised.
Yes, any class that combines weights and cardio will exhaust and push you, but I found the class quite manageable, even a little bit easy.
For the hour-long class, we only did three stations in 10-minute blocks, consisting of two to three exercises in each.
I feel as though more exercises could have been implemented, because it did get quite repetitive.
I was partnered up, but despite the changeover from weights to cardio, I wasn’t stimulated or challenged the way I thought I would be.
That’s not how I like my classes personally, but for someone who wants to go to a class and take it at their own pace, this would’ve been right up your alley.
The chaos inside the gym
I think I should mention that there were around 70 people in the class. Yes, you read that right: 70, which I think is way too many people for one class.
So it was overstimulation central in the area: lots of different people, accents, and sweat.
And guess how many trainers/instructors there were? Three.
How on earth can three people train, encourage, and push 70 people to perform exercises to the best of their ability with only three trainers?
Don’t get me wrong, the three of them were brilliant, and definitely helped when and where they could, but to have that extra set of eyes and attention on your movement was missing during the class, and I think that is very important to a class.
With that aside, it was a class filled with positive energy and lots of high-fives.
Bambu Fitness responds
When asked about class sizes and trainer ratios, Bambu Fitness explained that attendance depends on the specific program, but they stand firm on maintaining coaching quality.
“Some classes naturally have a higher capacity, while others are intentionally kept much smaller to maintain coaching quality, safety, and the overall experience,” Head of Operations at Bambu Fitness Bali, Nata, told news.com.au.
“One thing we don’t compromise on is coach-to-participant ratio.
“Every class is staffed appropriately for its size, and we adjust that based on the demands of the program.
“We’d always rather cap a class than overcrowd it, because we believe members get a far better experience when coaches can actually coach — not just supervise.”
The hidden cost
When I mean sweat was dripping, it wasn’t just the class that caused that.
The class took place in their semi-outdoor gym area, which is semi-outdoors, so the sides of the room are open to the road.
And if you know Bali, you know that it is hot and humid almost always throughout the year, so that definitely contributed to the sweating.
But in that main area for the workout, there was no aircon, which makes sense because it is semi-outdoors, but only a few small fans were placed on the roof.
I can confirm that it did not cool me down.
Bambu Fitness noted that embracing Bali’s natural climate was part of the original vision for the gym, though they do offer alternatives for those who prefer to train in the cold.
“One of the owner’s visions from the beginning was to create a gym that embraces Bali’s tropical environment rather than completely shutting it out, Nata explained.
“The semi-open design allows for natural airflow throughout the facility, which many of our members genuinely enjoy.
“That said, we’re also realistic about Bali’s climate.
“On warmer days, we have a number of commercial-grade wall fans throughout the gym to provide additional airflow wherever it’s needed.
“We also have two fully airconditioned training spaces dedicated to bodybuilding and cardio, so members can choose whichever environment suits their workout best.”
Additionally, in the main area, there were no water bubblers, only a water cooler, with no cups.
You’d think for a class of 70 there would be a better system in place.
Gym explains no glasses
However, the gym clarified that the lack of cups comes down strictly to safety on the gym floor:
“We intentionally don’t provide or allow glasses or cups on the gym floor because glass and heavy gym equipment simply aren’t a great combination from a safety perspective,” Nata revealed.
“Instead, we encourage members to bring their own reusable bottles, and we’ve placed several filtered water refill stations throughout the facility.
“They’re cleaned and maintained regularly, and if someone happens to forget their bottle, bottled water is always available at reception.”
Knowing it’s a safety precaution against glass rather than a cash-grab definitely changes the perspective I initially had.
Finding love at the gym
Okay, now part of the reason why this gym has gone viral is because of the people.
I can confirm, very attractive people attend this gym, and perhaps that is why it has gained so much traction online.
Not that I saw any romantic mingling going on, but I reckon you could find your husband or wife at this gym; everyone was fit, good-looking, and strong.
Bambu embraces reputation, but doesn’t focus on it
When asked about their reputation for having a crowd of very attractive gym-goers, Bambu Fitness took the compliment in stride.
Nata said the gym doesn’t “focus” on the appearances of people who come to train.
“Our goal has always been to create a place where people feel comfortable looking after themselves, whether they’re just beginning their fitness journey or have been training for years,” Nata said.
“I’d like to think that good energy attracts good people. If people happen to describe Bambu as ‘the hot gym,’ maybe it’s less about how everyone looks and more about the positive atmosphere and community they’ve built together.”
The vibe
While that aspect hits the social media appeal, Bambu Fitness hits the sweet spot between rugged high-performance gym and tropical luxury resort.
It has exposed bamboo beams, lush greenery surrounding the rigs, and natural light, making it an influencer’s dream for content.
And while Bali definitely brings people together in a multitude of ways, it’s one of the primary places in the Bukit peninsula where long-term travellers and expats connect and network.
The post-workout perks
The ‘Live, Train, Eat, Recover’ motto the gym lives by is real.
After your training session, you can pay extra to use the ice baths, saunas, and contrast therapy spaces to unwind post-workout.
That is something only a handful of gyms I have been to have, and for a fraction of Sydney prices. Unbeatable.
And something I really loved was their on-site cafe, where there was a wide array of food options available to have pre or post-workout.
Most items on the menu even include the protein intake.
The final verdict
So overall, if you are in Bali and want to get fit and active, there is no harm in trying Bambu Fitness.
But if the large group classes don’t quite hit the spot for you — like they didn’t for me — you can always head over to their fully airconditioned spaces or hit the elite machines to build your own custom workout.
Or simply head over for the top-tier recovery amenities and healthy food to elevate your Bali holiday.
I will definitely be going back on my next trip, but maybe for a different, harder class.