Bali, playground for Aussie Instagram fitness stars

Aussies have a reputation for hitting Bali for fun in the sun. But while their jaunts to Bali infamously involve binge drinking and clubbing, some Aussies are heading to the island for another reason: fitness “retreats.” 

With a price tag of $2000, not counting flights, the latest craze is to fly out to the island for week-long training and health workshops. Early to rise and early to bed, along with eating clean is the philosophy of such programs, according to an article on NEWS.com.au.

For Active Escapes, an Australian company that runs these fitness trips, Instagram is perhaps one of the company’s greatest marketing forms. Eye-catching pics from trainers during their trips garner interest in their fitness regimen. 

One of Active Escapes head trainers, Amanda Bisk, is Instafamous with over 150,000 followers on Instagram. Her posts feature pictures of her doing incredible yoga poses and stretches, often bikini-clad on breathtaking beaches in exotic locations such as Bali and the Maldives. Bisk has also already earned her reputation for fitness among Australians because of her background in pole vaulting. Another Active Escapes trainer, Ashley Freeman has over 160,000 followers and posts similar enviable shots on her account.

“Having trainers with high profiles on Instagram and social media is a big drawcard,” says Rachel Freeman, a recent Active Escapes Bali participant. 

Scan Instagram for trending hashtags  like #sweatcity and #abbodysquad and you’ll find the likes of Bisk and other fitness fanatics across Bali, but don’t worry, the wild partier-type vacation Aussies aren’t being replaced by this fitness trend–they don’t seem to be going anywhere and can still be found all over Kuta.