Health & Wellbeing Blog
Articles to help and inspire you on your fitness journey.
Can Strength Training Help Women Over 60 Sleep Better?
June 8, 2026 · 5 min read
Poor sleep can make everything harder, from mood and memory to finding the energy to stay active. A 2025 randomised controlled trial of 160 older women found that 12 weeks of supervised resistance training improved sleep quality, anxiety, mood, cognitive function, and physical capacity. The useful part is that the programme was not extreme: it was progressive strength training, two to three times a week. Real Australian stories show that many older women are already discovering strength training in supportive...
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What If More Australians Got Active? The Health Gains Are Bigger Than You Think
A 2026 Australian simulation study asked a simple question: what would happen if more of us moved more? The answer was measured in healthier years, fewer early deaths and billions of dollars in extra working-age income. But the most useful finding is not that everyone needs to become extremely active....
Do Dogs Really Improve Your Health? Australian Stories and Research Suggest They Can
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,...
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...
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