Malaysia - Indah Jaya Fitness Centre, Sandakan

Location: Indah Jaya Recreational Club, Jalan Lintas Selatan, 90000 Sandakan, Sabah

Google maps: Click here

Web: Facebook

Opening hours: 9am to 9pm

Price:15 ringgits per entrance (approx £3). Month for 110

Review: I actually found the Indah Jaya Recreational Club whilst driving back to our hotel after going to visit the Sun Bear Sanctuary in Sepilok. This is one of the gyms in this part of Borneo that doesn't actually show up on Google maps, which is strange since its large, well equipped, sports centre, with modern equipment, tennis courts and even a swimming pool. 

So I got Emily to park the car and went in to have a look around. She was super happy about that. Despite it being the middle of the day on a Wednesday, the gym was busy and had a buzzing atmosphere. There were personal trainers with their clients and groups of friends working out together. 

The gym is split across several different rooms, all with floor to ceiling glass windows looking out onto the jungle surrounding the gym. It actually makes for a very cool training environment. The gym itself was well stocked with decent equipment from a number of different manufactures and plenty of free weights, including:

• Dumbbells up to 50kg 
• Adjustable benches 
• Flat barbell bench 
• Decline barbell bench
• Shoulder press bench 
• Olympic bars 
• Smith machine 
• Cables 
• Hammer curl bar 
• Easy bar 
• Lat pull down machine
• Tricep machine
• Leg press machine 
• Abs roller coaster  
• Leg raise platform 
• Kettle bells 
• Punch bags 
• Swiss ball
• Battle ropes
• Rowing machine 
• Static bikes
• Treadmills 
• Swimming pool 
• Tennis courts
• Lockers 
• Changing rooms

Despite being split into several different sections, the gym is big and air conditioned throughout. It has also invested in the latest training modalities, including an outdoor area for battle ropes and kettle bells of all sizes. 

The gym does have changing rooms, lockers and even a small sports shop on site. Whilst I was here I didn't see any supplements for sale, so you will want to bring along your own protein and a sweat towel. As well as a small sports shop, there is also a karaoke bar above the gym, if you fancy a post workout sing-along. 

The gym is pretty far from the centre of town, so you will probably need to rent a car or a bike if you are going to train here. Grab and Uber do operate in Malaysian Borneo, but I wouldn't rely on them to get you home from this location. Arrange a pick up for when you are done to make sure you get back!

Who is this gym for?  This was very much a gym for the local population, but don't let that put you off. Whilst I was here I saw men and women training together. Malaysians are a lovely people and everyone that I have met here has been friendly and welcoming. That being said, Malaysia is a largely muslim and conservative country, so you may want to take that into consideration when choosing your gym attire. 

Tips: As well as a gym there are lots of other sports facilities here, including tennis courts or even a pretty nice pool. If you are looking for somewhere to practice your forehand then this may be the place for you. 

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