Health & Wellbeing Blog
Articles to help and inspire you on your fitness journey.
More Than Just a Walk: How Outdoor Groups Build Community for CALD Women
January 25, 2026 · 3 min read
Beyond the physical benefits of exercise, getting outdoors provides a vital pathway for social connection and cultural exchange. Drawing on the 2025 SAFE research by RMIT University, we explore how community-led outdoor groups are helping women from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds overcome barriers to participation. From reducing isolation to building leadership skills, discover how inclusive sports and nature-based activities are redefining what it means to belong in the Australian outdoors and how local clubs can create more welcoming...
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Keeping Teen Girls in the Game: Is Australia Facing a ‘Grand Décrochage’?
A major study from France has highlighted a concerning phenomenon known as the "grand décrochage"—the great drop-out of teenage girls from organised sport. As the pressure of exams, social media, and body image mounts, many girls are hanging up their boots before they even reach adulthood. But is this just...
Dive into Summer: Score Free Pool Entry with the Banana Swim Pass
Looking for a way to beat the summer heat without spending a cent? This Wednesday, 21 January, your morning snack becomes your ticket to the pool. Australian Bananas has teamed up with Olympic champion Ariarne Titmus for the "Banana Swim Pass"—a nationwide event where a single banana gets you free...
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...
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.
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...
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...
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.
Looking to get active?
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