Wednesday 11 January 2017

Bali Baby

Whilst I was lucky enough to get to travel to this beautiful place in 2016, I only used one Gym!
Running outdoors in Bali is difficult due to the heat and the crowded narrow streets, BUT there are plenty of gyms about so that you can workout in air conditioned comfort during your trip.
Check out the facilities at or near your accommodation, the friendly locals will no doubt help you out too!

The only Gym I used here was at Legian Beach Hotel.
It was very small but VERY cool, the air con was a dream!
It had a couple of treadmills, some free weights and a bike, plenty for a little mid-holiday fitness session :)
The view out the window was of the pool which made being indoors and away from the action a little more bearable too!

Again, be conscious of hydration needs in hotter climates, not just with water intake but with electrolyte intake too.


Cruise Life

Ahoy from the ocean!!!
In 2016 I went on two cruises with P&O and aside from them being WONDERFUL I managed to keep my fitness up for upcoming races whilst I cruised my little heart out.
I cruised on the Pacific Pearl to some Pacific Islands and also the Pacific Jewel to the Whitsundays.
Both had gyms down on a lower deck and both provided everything I needed, however the Pacific Pearl's gym was superior.

Pacific Pearl:
This gym was very spacious for what I expected of a cruise ship gym!
It was also very well air conditioned which was essential in the climate we were travelling in.
The gym had a line of about 4 treadmills against some mirrors which proved useful for stabilising whilst the boat moved- instead of staring at a static point in this situation it pays to simply gaze at your moving legs in the mirror. This allows your brain to compensate for the movement of the belt from left to right and up and down as it can see where you need to land after you have been suspended in the air.
There were also a couple of cross trainers, bikes and rowing machines along with a separate little level for free-weights, weights machines and stretching.
There was a toilet right next to the gym for convenience.

Pacific Jewel
The gym was smaller than the Pearl's, it still had 4 treadmills (one was out of order) and a cross trainer, a bike and a small space for weights.
The air conditioning however was completely insufficient.
I asked for the temperature to be turned down on two occasions but this did not happen and unfortunately I suffered a severe electrolyte imbalance due to the excessive sweating and had to be hospitalised on the ship.
Thankfully I received great care there!
If the climate wasn't so hot outside this gym may have been suitable but unfortunately it was not so great for this trip. Thankfully it was a short trip!

So- for those cruiselings planning a holiday on the ocean- check out the facilities with your cruise company before you leave and be conscious of your hydration and differing needs with a change of both climate and diet on-board your holiday!