If you’ve just arrived in Australia, you’re probably wondering where you can get your fitness fix. Australia is generally a pretty health-focused culture, so the good news is that there are lots of options when it comes to exercising.
From team sports to free fitness classes, here’s where to look.
Gyms
Gyms are great because they offer something for everyone: you can lift weights, run on the treadmill or attend a class. Some gyms in Australia even have pools, saunas and climbing gyms.
The tricky thing with gyms is finding one where you won’t be locked into a long-term contract, especially if you’re an exchange student or completing a shorter qualification. The following gyms offer flexible payment options, which is great if you’re only in Australia for a short amount of time.
Jetts
With over 200 gyms spread across Australia, Jetts is one of the only gym franchises that offers no lock-in contracts. Most Jetts gyms have fitness classes, too.
Memberships start at $14.95 per week and are billed fortnightly, with prices varying at each individual gym.
Snap Fitness
Much like Jetts, Snap Fitness offers month-to-month plans starting at $12.95 per week. The franchise has over 200 convenient locations across Australia and there are several facilities at each gym, but the downside here is there is a lack of variety in classes.
Your education provider’s gym
Many universities have exercise facilities that are open to students and even the public. Most of the time you can access a special student discount, which is great for saving money. Plus, memberships are usually very flexible.
Team sports
If you’re someone who loves being a part of a team, there are plenty of social sports leagues around Australia. Not only is joining a team a good way to stay fit, but it also offers the opportunity to make new friends.
Here’s where to start your sports team search.
Just Play
Just Play is a great resource for finding a local social sports league. You simply choose what sport you want to play, your location and the gender you want to play with, and the website will match you with leagues in your area. There are several sports available, including basketball, football, bowls, cricket and volleyball.
Sports Match Maker
Sports Match Maker works similarly to Just Play but takes a crowdsourcing approach. You choose your sport, enter a location, and several listings will pop up, either of teams looking for players or players looking for teams to join. With so many sports and locations to choose from, it’s a great way to find a team that suits your preferences.
Casual and free activities
In Australia, it’s very possible to exercise for free. Lots of councils and other organisations offer free exercise classes, and there are plenty of meet-ups for anyone who wants to work out in a group setting.
parkrun is a nationwide initiative where runners meet at a designated starting point and enjoy a short run together, while Meetup is filled with sports and fitness groups.
Other fitness activities usually run by councils and community centres include:
- Tai Chi
- Zumba
- Yoga
- Cross-training
- HIIT (high intensity interval training)
- Pilates
- Cycling
Information on community classes can be found on your local council’s website. The classes usually aren’t too intensive or aimed at hardcore fitness enthusiasts. You don’t have to be an expert, you just need the right attitude.
