Health & Wellbeing Blog
Articles
From Team Sports to Pickleball: How Our Relationship with Sport Changes Over a Lifetime
Sport in Australia is constantly evolving, and the way we stay active looks different at every stage of life. From childhood swimming lessons to the rise of casual fitness and social sports, new data from the latest AusPlay “Lifelong Involvement in Sport” report highlights how our habits, motivations and barriers change over time. The findings reveal why participation peaks in primary school, why so many teens step away from competitive sport, and how adults increasingly turn to flexible options like running, gym workouts and emerging sports such as pickleball.
Melbourne's Free Outdoor Fitness Program is Back!
Melbourne's best-kept fitness secret is out! The City of Melbourne is rolling out a huge schedule of 'Free Fitness in the Park' classes this season, covering everything from calming Tai Chi and Yoga to high-energy Boxing and Zumba. This brilliant initiative removes the cost barrier and brings qualified instructors to beautiful park locations across the city. It’s the perfect way to ditch the expensive gym, get fit for free, and connect with your local community under the Aussie sun.
Stop the Sprawl: Why Combining Activity and Diet Beats Harmful Belly Fat
New research reveals that tackling weight gain, especially that stubborn belly fat linked to serious health risks, requires a combined approach: moving more and eating better. Discover why focusing on both diet quality and physical activity is your best defence against visceral fat accumulation.
New Research Proves Midlife Fitness is Key to Dementia Prevention
We often feel guilty about not staying active throughout our twenties and thirties, but breakthrough research published in JAMA Network Open offers a huge sigh of relief. The study, which tracked thousands of adults across several decades, found that the physical activity you commit to in midlife and late life is the most strongly associated factor in significantly reducing your risk of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease.
Free On-Demand Sports Gear Lockers Trial starts in Queensland
The cost of equipment is no longer an excuse! Decathlon and SportsBox have launched solar-powered smart lockers across Queensland, offering free, on-demand gear like basketballs and soccer balls. Discover how this innovative scheme is removing barriers to activity and where you can find the first SportsBox locations.
The Science of Strength: Why Resistance Training Matters at Every Age
Think light weights are enough for aging? Think again. New science is shattering old myths about getting stronger after 50.
Discover the "heavy lift" strategies used in the breakthrough LIFTMOR bone study and the SMART brain trial. We reveal the exact resistance training methods proven to safely reverse bone density loss and sharpen memory—results traditional light exercise can't match.
Click through to see the proven, surprising benefits of intense strength training for both men and women. Your strongest years are waiting.
The Simple Sleep Hack That Could Add 30 Minutes to Your Daily Activity
Struggling to find the motivation to move? New Monash University research suggests that hitting the hay earlier could make all the difference. Early sleepers were found to be up to 30 minutes more active each day — proving that a small shift in bedtime can bring big health benefits.
Beyond the Scoreboard: How Community Sport Makes Your Brain Stronger
Think joining a local social sport is just good for your physical health? Think again. The very aerobic, community-based activities that build friendships are also giving your brain a serious workout, helping you learn and remember more effectively. We look at why group fitness is the ultimate brain tonic.
1000km Against the Odds: How a Mullumbimby Hiker is Redefining Courage on the Bibbulmun Track
When a challenging diagnosis like Motor Neurone Disease (MND) threatens to steal your ability to move, what do you do? If you're this incredible hero from Mullumbimby, you lace up your boots and take on the ultimate physical challenge: the 1000-kilometre Bibbulmun Track in Western Australia. This jaw-dropping journey through dense Karri forest and rugged coastline is more than a hike; it's a powerful act of defiance and a vital reminder that the human spirit will always strive to keep active
The Growing Need to Get Moving: What the New Dementia Figures Mean for Australia
A new report from the AIHW reveals that over 425,000 Australians are living with dementia, a number set to soar. We look at what the figures mean for our health and how embracing an active life can be our most powerful defence.
Looking to get active?
Here is a few options to explore:
Find local sports and fitness options, free and paid, such as social groups, organisers, coaches and trainers
Explore our venues directory to find local sports venues and gyms
Discover local sports and family events, free and paid, in our events directory