Search results for #fitness-training
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...
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...
How to Start Exercising When You're Completely Out of Shape
If "just start walking" advice has failed you twice, the problem usually isn't the exercise — it's the lack of structure. Australia has two large, free, beginner-built community programs most adults have never heard of: parkrun and Heart Foundation Walking. Both are scheduled, volunteer-run, and full of walkers. This piece...
Push-Up Challenge and Mental Health — What Research Shows
Every June, tens of thousands of Australians take on the Push-Up Challenge — a 24-day event pairing daily push-up targets with mental health facts. A University of Melbourne study tracking over 42,000 participants found the challenge led to significant reductions in depression and anxiety symptoms, and made participants twice as...
Grip Strength: The 10-Second Health Test You Can Do at Home
A simple squeeze of your hand could reveal more about your long-term health than most blood tests. A 2026 meta-analysis of over 900,000 people found that grip strength asymmetry — a significant difference between your left and right hands — increases all-cause mortality risk by 12 per cent. When combined...
Get Active for Less: The Changes Proposed to Make Fitness More Affordable in Australia
With the cost of living biting hard, getting active can feel like the last thing you can afford. But a bold new proposal from Australia's peak fitness body could be about to change that — with $500 family vouchers for gyms and studios, tax-free gym perks through your employer, and...
Stronger Together: Why Social Connection is the Secret Ingredient to Staying Active
New research reveals that for older adults, physical health and social circles are two sides of the same coin—offering a powerful strategy to fight loneliness while staying fit. Recent findings suggest that treating strong social networks and physical activity as "inextricably linked" can dramatically improve well-being, yet nearly 57% of...
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...
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.