Ubud Gym

There is a layer of surface rust on every metal object in the gym. The bench seat is held together with black tape.

The subjects of my reviews are random. I’ve reviewed a few bars, a convenience store, a restaurant, etc. Today’s review will be no less random. Today I will be giving you a short review on Ubud Gym. A classic old-school, yet rundown, weight lifter gym in the heart of Ubud, Bali.

What does a college degree, flossing your teeth, and working out, have in common? Delayed gratification! That’s no joke. I am convinced that life is made better by doing those things you know are good for you, but, at the same time, are monotonous, hard, or boring.

Some folks travel for work. Others work remotely on their computers. Still others get a chance to pleasure travel for extended periods of time. Whatever the particular situation happens to be, it is very important to remember that it is a lifestyle and not an extended vacation. In all life styles, there are things that need to happen to stay grounded, healthy, and happy. For instance, a person needs plenty of sleep, good nutrition, laundry service, a way to let off steam, and, of course, regular exercise.

As Dawn and I travel, we always keep in mind how this is our life now and not just an extended spring break. We plan how we will be meeting our needs as we go. Many times, the workout requirement is a bit tricky to come by. She loves to do yoga and I love to get in a good weight room workout. So when it comes together nicely, it’s a treat.

The front entrance to Ubud Gym.

We stayed a week in the province of Ubud, South East Bali. After spending a few weeks in Java, it was a welcome change from the busy, hectic world of Indonesia’s most populated island. Our hotel in Ubud was centrally located, so after a quick web search we found a gym that was only a 20 minute walk for me. I headed there in earnest one Wednesday morning after the rains.

Ubud Gym is located on Jala Rayan street in Ubud, Bali. It’s a half block from the super cool Arjuna statue roundabout. If not for the giant banner with the gym’s name, out in front, you’d never find it. It’s sandwiched between a bank and a fruit stand. The front door is a garage size opening in the grey building. Once inside the doorway, there is a termite bitten and humidity soaked desk that looks to be older than me. On the day that I went, it was manned by a smiling young man who took my money and welcomed me in.

To work out at Ubud Gym costs 20,000 Rp for one workout (approximately $1.20). You can stay a few hours. Perfect for me.

Ubud Gym has a “definite old-school, Ronnie Coleman vibe with a prison yard old-timey feel” (quote from a Google review of the place). There is a layer of surface rust on every piece of metal in the place. The bench I used was held together with black tape. I was a bit worried when I was doing pull-ups that the bar would finally snap and I’d fall. The equipment is as old as the front desk. There was even old body-building posters on the walls, disintegrating from age and mildew before my very eyes.

The gym is downstairs in a large cement building. It has cement retaining walls on the south side and west sides. In front of the west wall, it has old, tarnished mirrors. Ordinarily that would be a classic detail for watching yourself workout, except here they are too rusty for much of that. On the north side, there is no wall. It’s a big opening that faces a little urban creek, some trees, and litter-covered shrubs. The best part is to the east side. Past the gym there is a brand new dance studio.

The morning I went, it had rained. A heavy rain that had stopped just before I arrived. That meant that Ubud was soaked. Soon the clouds would part and the sun would shine through drying up the streets and sending the humidity through the roof. I was right about the sun and the water evaporation. Right when I began my workout it was stifling hot in that gym. Forget about air conditioning. There is none. This place doesn’t even have all 4 walls! I was dripping wet from sweat three sets into my routine. That explained why everything in the place is hot to the touch, rusty, and moist.

Ubud Gym is solid and it’s no nonsense. You don’t come here for your Instagram followers. You come here to get torn up, sweaty, and to meet those muscle-building goals. Everything is dingy, but in working order. I’ve been weightlifting since I was 17 years old. This place harks back to the 1970’s. It has classic equipment to address all the areas you need worked. I was able to get in my full workout done with only a few modifications. I left having done a complete routine. Of course, I also left there dripping wet, with a shirt covered in rust particles.

My review is a definite YES on Ubud Gym. There is something about that hot gym, that clanging of the metal. The solid thump of a weight dropped after a good set. It all takes you back to an earlier time. This place harkens back to an era of “Pumping Iron” (the movie). It’s the kind of place you envision Arnold Schwarzenegger working out back in the day. In the age of chrome weight “spas”, it’s refreshing. I left there feeling like I got a better workout for having experienced it.

Most importantly, as far as gyms go, it was very inexpensive, well stocked, and within easy reach. If you’re in Ubud for a week or two, go get your Ronnie Coleman on.

Hit the weights at Ubud Gym. Open 8:00 to 8:00, six days a week. Jala Rayan street in Ubud Bali.