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Padel’s Explosive Rise: What It Means for Indonesia’s Fitness Landscape
Smartwatch data from Garmin shows a staggering 1,684 % jump in recorded padel activities in Indonesia last year — the highest growth rate of any sport on the platform. This surge outpaces classic disciplines like track running (+124 %) and tennis (+113 %).
Why is a sport that blends tennis and squash suddenly on everyone’s radar? The answer lies in a mix of social appeal, low‑cost infrastructure, and a generation that tracks every move on a wearable.
Real‑world example: The Jakarta “Padel Park” Phenomenon
Since opening its doors in 2023, Jakarta’s Padel Park has grown from a single court to a 12‑court complex serving over 3,000 weekly players. Membership sign‑ups increased by 250 % in six months, mirroring the spike seen in Garmin’s data.
Smartwatch Insights: Shifting Activity Patterns Across the Archipelago
Beyond padel, Garmin reports that running and walking remain the dominant activities, with 10.6 million and 4.8 million recorded sessions respectively in 2025. Indonesians logged an average of 5,818 steps per day, an 8.2 % rise from the previous year.
Strength‑training also entered the spotlight, tallying 2.37 million sessions—a 65 % increase. This diversification signals a broader move from cardio‑only routines to holistic fitness regimes.
Did you know?
Indonesia now ranks among the top three Southeast Asian nations for strength‑training adoption, according to a 2025 Statista report.
Health Metrics That Matter: Stress Levels & “Body Battery”
Garmin’s global health dashboard flags Indonesia as the country with the highest average stress scores in 2025. While the exact calculation method is proprietary, the data aligns with World Health Organization findings that Southeast Asia faces rising mental‑health pressures.
Conversely, the “Body Battery” metric—an indicator of physiological readiness on a 0‑100 % scale—averaged 68 % throughout the year, a modest dip from 70 % in 2024. Lower scores often correlate with higher stress and insufficient recovery.
Pro tip for readers
Use your smartwatch’s “Body Battery” alerts to schedule lighter training days or mindfulness breaks when the score falls below 60 %.
Opportunities for Brands, Gyms, and Tech Makers
The data presents a clear roadmap:
- Sports facilities: Invest in multi‑court padel venues in tier‑2 cities where demand is emerging but supply is limited.
- App developers: Integrate padel‑specific tracking modes and gamified challenges to capture the growing user base.
- Well‑being providers: Offer stress‑management workshops that tie directly into smartwatch metrics, positioning themselves as holistic health partners.
Case study: “FitX Padel” partnership
In early 2025, fitness chain FitX partnered with Garmin to embed exclusive padel drills into the Garmin Connect app. Within three months, member engagement rose 38 % and annual revenue grew by $2.1 million.
Future Outlook: What to Expect in the Next 5 Years
Analysts project that padel could capture up to 5 % of Indonesia’s total sports participation by 2030, driven by:
- Continued urbanization and the need for compact, social‑focused sports venues.
- Growing middle‑class disposable income earmarked for leisure activities.
- Advancements in wearable tech that will offer richer, sport‑specific analytics.
Simultaneously, the convergence of mental‑health monitoring with physical‑activity data will reshape how gyms and health insurers assess risk and design personalized programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which sport grew the fastest in Indonesia according to Garmin?
- Padel, with a 1,684 % increase year‑over‑year.
- How many steps does the average Indonesian take daily?
- Approximately 5,818 steps per day in 2025.
- What does a “Body Battery” score indicate?
- It reflects your body’s energy reserves; higher percentages mean you’re more ready for physical or mental tasks.
- Is stress really higher in Indonesia than elsewhere?
- Garmin’s 2025 data ranks Indonesia at the top for average stress scores, aligning with WHO reports on rising regional stress levels.
- How can I improve my Body Battery?
- Prioritize sleep, stay hydrated, incorporate active recovery, and heed smartwatch alerts for low energy periods.
Take Action
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