Health & Wellbeing Blog
Articles to help and inspire you on your fitness journey.
Do Dogs Really Improve Your Health? Australian Stories and Research Suggest They Can
May 18, 2026 · 7 min read
Dog owners often describe their pets as the reason they walk more, meet neighbours and maintain daily routines during difficult periods. Large international studies involving millions of people have linked dog ownership with lower mortality rates, better cardiovascular outcomes and higher physical activity levels. Australian stories reveal a similar pattern, from people rebuilding outdoor routines to forming stronger neighbourhood connections through daily walks. But researchers also caution against simplistic “dogs save lives” headlines. Here’s what the evidence actually says, why...
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Sports in Pakenham: A Town Where Old and New Codes Sit Side by Side
Pakenham's sporting story sits at an unusual intersection: a football club that goes back to 1892, a netball association that's been here for decades, and a new wave of social sports like pickleball and weeknight basketball filling the gaps in between. Here's how it all fits together, and where to...
100 parkruns at 81: How North Wollongong Helped Maggie Hamilton Get Started
When Maggie Hamilton completed her 100th parkrun at North Wollongong in early 2026, she was 81 years old and only a few years removed from her first event. Her story captures what makes parkrun work for so many Australians who never considered themselves runners. The free weekly 5km has become...
Sydney Marathon 2026 Sold Out? Best Alternatives for First-Time Runners
Missed out on the Sydney Marathon 2026 ballot? You are not alone. Since joining the Abbott World Marathon Majors, Sydney Marathon demand has surged, leaving many first-time runners confused about the ballot system and what to do next. This beginner-friendly guide explains how the Sydney Marathon draw works, which events...
Why Some Men Over 50 Keep Exercising After the Program Ends
A 2026 Curtin University study followed Australian men after they completed the AFL-linked Aussie-FIT program to see who stayed active and why. The answers were less about motivation and more about structure, routine and social connection. Men who kept moving usually had regular group activities, clear plans and a sense...
Why Self-Confidence Matters More Than You May Think for Exercise
Most people do not stop exercising because they are lazy or unmotivated. They stop because they slowly lose trust in their own promises. Mental fitness coach Maya Raichoora draws a useful distinction between external confidence and quieter self-trust, the kind that helps you keep showing up on cold mornings and...
Gold Coast Marathon 2026: Best Race for Beginners, Families and First-Timers
Thinking about the Gold Coast Marathon in 2026? This beginner-friendly guide breaks down every race distance, from the 2km Junior Dash to the full marathon, and helps you choose the one that matches your current fitness. We explain what families need to know, how the Junior Dash works, what race-day...
Can Four Minutes a Day Lower Diabetes Risk? What New Australian Research Found
A new Australian-led study suggests that less than four minutes a day of vigorous movement, spread across everyday life, may be linked to a substantially lower risk of Type 2 diabetes. The research shifts the conversation away from formal workouts and toward small, intense bursts like climbing stairs or carrying...
Best Free Outdoor Exercise Spots in Hobart
Hobart's free outdoor fitness scene runs deeper than kunanyi/Mount Wellington. Most regulars spend their weeks on flatter, quieter tracks closer to home — Sandy Bay's foreshore, the Intercity Cycleway, the Clarence Foreshore Trail, Risdon Brook. This is a working list of spots inside a 15-minute drive of the CBD, grouped...
Should Your Child Try Team Sport? What 189 Studies Say About Mental Health
When a child wants to quit a sport, parents often face the same question: try another solo activity, or switch to a team? A major 2026 Australian-led review of 189 studies offers one of the clearest answers yet. The evidence found organised sport supports children’s mental health overall, but team...
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