Health & Wellbeing Blog
Articles to help and inspire you on your fitness journey.
The Matildas Effect — Women’s Football Is Booming
April 25, 2026 · 5 min read
Women’s and girls’ football participation has surged to over 231,000 players across Australia, and the momentum shows no sign of fading. Fuelled by the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and sustained by new beginner-friendly formats, community clubs are scrambling to keep up with demand. This article unpacks what the Matildas effect looks like on the ground, what to expect if you’re starting football as an adult, and how to find a local club or social league near you.
Read article
Active Winter School Holiday Ideas for Kids
Winter school holidays don’t have to mean two weeks of screen time. With the July break running from late June to mid-July across Australian states, parents need a plan to keep kids moving when it’s cold outside. This guide covers indoor and outdoor activities — from rock climbing and heated...
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...
Main Yarra Trail Melbourne: Distance, Sections and Stops
Follow the Main Yarra Trail from Southbank to Westerfolds Park. This guide breaks the 33 km route into four easier sections. Find the best parks, sights, toilets, connecting trails and transport options along the way. Use it to plan a short walk, an out-and-back run or the full ride.
Regional Australians Walk 75 Minutes More in Walkable Towns
New research from the Menzies Institute for Medical Research has found that people in highly walkable regional towns walk 75 minutes more each week than those in areas with poor walkability — nearly double the difference seen in cities.
With regional Australians facing higher rates of chronic disease and fewer...
Exercise Halves Premature Death Risk for Midlife Women
A major Australian study tracking more than 11,000 women over 15 years has found that those who consistently met physical activity guidelines through their 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s halved their risk of dying prematurely. The research was one of the largest studies of its kind globally. Here's what the...
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...
Can an E-Bike Be the Key to Your Fitness Journey?
If you’ve ever felt that traditional cycling was too demanding or that injuries were holding you back from staying active, you aren’t alone. A recent qualitative study on the NZ HIKO e-bike programme highlights how electric bikes are acting as a powerful "circuit breaker" for inactivity. By reducing the physical...
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...
The Resolution Trap: Why ‘All-or-Nothing’ is the Enemy of Consistency
The "New Year, New Me" energy is a powerful motivator, but it often comes with a hidden trap: the all-or-nothing mindset. Many of us start January with rigid fitness resolutions, believing that if we can't commit to a full hour at the gym or a high-intensity session, it’s not worth...
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