Health & Wellbeing Blog
Articles to help and inspire you on your fitness journey.
Sydney Marathon 2026 Sold Out? Best Alternatives for First-Time Runners
May 12, 2026 · 7 min read
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 it affects, official ways entries are still available, and the best alternative races for newer runners in Australia. We also cover how to improve your chances of securing a Sydney...
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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...
City2Surf 2026: A Beginner’s 14-Week Training Plan for Sydney’s Biggest Fun Run
City2Surf returns to Sydney on Sunday 9 August 2026, sending tens of thousands of runners, joggers and walkers from Hyde Park to Bondi Beach over 14 iconic kilometres. If you have signed up and feel underprepared, fourteen weeks is enough time to build fitness safely. This beginner-friendly plan starts with...
Fitbit Air in Australia: can Google’s $199 screenless tracker actually get you walking?
Google’s new Fitbit Air lands in Australia on 27 May for $199, betting that less screen time might mean more movement. It is lighter, quieter and designed to stay out of your way. But can a fitness tracker really change your walking habits? Australian-led research says step counts matter, but...
The Man Walk: Why a Simple Weekly Walk Is Becoming a Lifeline for Australian Men
A new Australian study found that more than half the men joining The Man Walk reported loneliness, but those who kept showing up saw lower depression symptoms and healthier habits. Here’s why regular group walks are becoming one of the simplest mental-health supports for men.
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