News
Every cancer patient should be prescribed exercise medicine
Every four minutes someone in Australia is diagnosed with cancer. Only one in ten of those diagnosed will exercise enough during and after their treatment. But every one of those patients would benefit from exercise. Read more
Physical activity, physical functioning and disability in older adults
Understanding the minimal dose of physical activity required to achieve improvement in physical functioning and reductions in disability risk is necessary to inform public health recommendations. To examine the effect of physical activity dose on changes in physical functioning and the onset of major mobility disability in The Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders (LIFE) Study Read more
Less than 1 in 5 Australia's don't meet strength training guidelines
Only 9% - 19% of Australian adults meet the muscle strengthening activity guidelines. This is the latest from a study by Dr Jason Bennie of Victoria University's Institute of Sport, Exercise and Active Living, and his co-authors of the FIT & WELL Study, partly funded by Fitness Australia. Read more
Prescribing of exercise interventions for management of chronic conditions
A recently published paper says that exercise has been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of many chronic conditions. Mortality benefits from exercise are similar to pharmacologic interventions for secondary prevention of coronary heart disease and diabetes. Read more
Trainers wanted for study on older adults' muscle function and falls
Are you an enthusiastic Exercise Trainer interested in working on a research study being conducted by Deakin University, Melbourne? Read more
Trainers wanted! Implement two research based exercise interventions
Deakin University are seeking several suitably qualified and experienced exercise trainers to assist with the implementation of an exercise intervention for two separate research projects. Read more
A call for volunteer exercisers in Melbourne!
Exercise and Nutrition for Type 2 Diabetes. This is a study into the health benefits of Exercise, Vitamin D and Protein. As part of your involvement in the study you will receive; - FREE assessment of your muscle strength and function - FREE bone density and body composition assessments - FREE blood lipid and cholesterol measures - FREE assessment of your vitamin D levels Read more
Lift for Life brings family together at Brunswick Baths
Fitness is all about spending time with the family for Brunswick resident Nicole Kearney, her mother and daughter. The three generations visit Brunswick Baths together every Wednesday to enjoy physical activity programs suited to each of them and their interests. Read more
Dangerous links between chronic disease and dementia
“Maximising your brain health and managing your blood sugar, cholesterol levels, blood pressure and body weight can help reduce the risk of developing some of the most debilitating chronic diseases, including dementia," says Ita Buttrose, Australian of the Year 2013 and Alzheimer’s Australia National President. Read more
NSW businesses are set to Get Healthy
NSW Businesses now have access to Fitness Australia Get Healthy Service pack, including posters to display to your clients, a poster and fact sheet for your staff and a DVD with resources and information. Get your cilents motivated and keep them motivated with extra lifestyle support from the Get Healthy Service. Watch the video now, to see how the exercise professionals can team-up with the Get Healthy coaches. www.fitness.org.au/gethealthy Read more
Lift for Life health outcomes feature in State of Preventive Health Report 2013
The Australian National Preventive Health Agency's (ANPHA) newly launched State of Preventive Health report 2013 aims to give Australians a comprehensive overview of the health challenges facing Australians, particularly in relation to chronic disease, and the associated risk factors including tobacco consumption, harmful alcohol use and obesity. Read more
ThinkGP's educational video features David Menzies, Lift for Life Program Manager
Fitness Australia's ongoing partnership with ThinkGP includes an educational video featuring David Menzies, National Program Manager of Lift for Life and Dr Ralph Audehm of Dianella Community Health in the City of Hume Victoria. By watching the video you'll get tips on helping the referral process and how to keep the communication channels open. Go to www.thinkgp.com.au/fitness-australia Read more
Join Baker IDI as they Trek for Life
Do you dream of doing something different? Do you want to make a difference? Then this is could be the beginning of an adventure of a lifetime... We're looking for people with a spirit of adventure to take part in one of the world’s most challenging treks - and all in aid of medical research. Read more
Close the Gap Day 2013
Join Australia’s largest campaign to improve Indigenous health Read more
Is it your time to get Re-Accredited?
Has it been two years since you became a Lift for Life Accredited Trainer? If so, it's your time to get re-accredited. In order to maintain Lift for Life® accreditation after your initial two year period, all trainers are required to complete 3 tasks. Read more. Read more
The impact of Lift for Life. Hear their stories
Watch the video and hear the stories of many life Alex a Lift for Life participant who says "When the program came up I said to myself this is a great program to do - with an onset of type 2 diabetes and fairly unhealthy. I've lost centimetres off my waist and gained muscle mass. Things I wouldn't have done otherwise!" Click here to read more and watch now! Read more
Caloundra celebrates with GOLD graduation party
64 Lift for Life participants with Caloundra's Move it with Mark celebrate completing the GOLD phase of their program. Read more
Risk Assessment Template now Available
Lift for Life providers who register their program activities on the Healthy Living Network website are required to submit a completed risk assessment. A risk assessment template has been developed in Microsoft Word with writable fields in which providers can add and edit information. Read more
Physical activity guidelines for older adults interpreted by BHF National Centre for practical use
For the first time the British Heart Foundation National Centre's physical activity guidelines for older adults have been translated into three booklets with messages appropriate for older people. Read more
Lift for Life features on Nth QLD's WIN News
Chris Alexander, Lift for Life's Training Coordinator, comments on the effects of implementing the resistance training program.. watch it now on Youtube Read more
Apply to be on the HCI's Lift for Life Reference Group
Fitness Australia is looking for a Lift for Life provider to be a part of the Lift for Life Reference Group. The Reference Group provides guidance to the Lift for Life Team in their implementation of the program as part of the Commonwealth’s Healthy Communities Initiative. Send us your expression of interest by Friday 8th June. Read more.. Read more
Exercise prescription for patients with type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes
The position statement from Exercise and Sport Science Australia is available for download here. Read more
All 39 Lift for Life Start-up Grant recipients now on board!
"Congratulations to all 39 Lift for Life Start-up Grant recipients. This initiative allows providers to offer the Lift for Life program at a very low cost, which makes it very affordable and accessible to a much broader range of the community.” “Fitness Australia is excited to have so many fitness providers playing a vital role in improving the health of their communities by offering this evidence based resistance training program,” said Lauretta Stace, Chief Executive Officer of Fitness Australia. Read more
Carla's Story | Changing lives through Lift for Life
Carla Munday is a Lift for Life accredited trainer. She has been a personal trainer for 11 years and, for the first time, is working with people who have many health and ‘real-life' concerns. Here's what she has to say about working with her Lift for Life group. She describes how she has helped impact the lives of people in Queenstown, Tasmania - a town which she says has very ‘limited health services' and was in desperate need of support. Read more
More Start-up Grant opportunities now available!
Fitness Australia today launches a second round of Lift for Life Start-up Grants of $5,000 each for the delivery of the Lift for Life program as part of the Australian Government's Healthy Communities Initiative and includes the recently announced Phase 3 Local Government Areas. Read more
Fitness Austraila announces first round of Start-up Grant recipients
Twelve (12) fitness providers have been successful in receiving a $5,000 Start-up Grant to deliver Lift for Life, a progressive resistance strength training program designed to assist with the self-management of type 2 diabetes and other chronic conditions. Read more
Applications for Start-up Grants are now OPEN
Are you delivering fitness to people experiencing disadvantage? Fitness Australia now has Start-Up Grants of up to $5,000 each available for fitness providers in Australian Government Healthy Communities Initiative (HCI) funded areas to deliver the Lift for Life® program, a strength training program designed specifically to tackle type 2 Diabetes and other chronic disease. The first round of Fitness Australia’s Lift for Life® Start-up Grant applications are open from 1st to 30th November 2011 and are available to fitness businesses located in COAG HCI funded areas. Check if your business is eligible and download the application today! Read more
Fitness Australia announces Lift for Life Start-up Grants
Fitness Australia, the Health and Fitness Industry Association, announced Lift for Life® Start-Up Grants of up to $5,000 each to providers of health and fitness in designated COAG Healthy Communities Initiative funded Local Government Areas to make exercise more accessible through the Lift for Life® program, at the Fitness Industry Forum, Brisbane on Friday 14th October. Read more
Is yours a Healthy Community? Help make exercise more accessible with Lift for Life®
Phase 3 of the Australian Government's Healthy Communities Initiative is currently open for Local Government Areas (LGAs) to apply for grants to support healthy lifestyle programs. Read more
$26m in Local Grants Available for Healthy Communities
The Australian Government is calling on local governments around Australia to promote healthy lifestyles and apply for more than $26 million worth of Healthy Communities Grants. Read more
National Program Grant Recipients delivering exercise and nutrition in another 33 LGAs
Congratulations to the following 33 Local Government Councils (LGAs) who have been successful in receiving funding in the second round of the Department of Health & Ageing Healthy Communities Initiative. Read more
Lift for Life in the International Journal of Behavioural Nutrition & Physical Activity
Researchers examine the effects of a community-based resistance training program (Lift for Life) on waist circumference and functional measures in adults with or at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Read more
Lift for Life programs in Victoria to be listed on interactive, online Arthritis Map
The Arthritis Map of Victoria is a practical tool to help people with musculoskeletal conditions and their general practitioners and rheumatologists to quickly and easily locate nearby health care practitioners, support programs and services. Read more
$2.8 Million for Healthier Lifestyle Projects in South Australia
The Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon, and local Federal Member for Makin Tony Zappia and Member for Wakefield Nick Champion announced the four local government areas in South Australia that will recieve Healthy Communities Initiative funding. Read more
Local Push for Healthier Lifestyles Kicks off in WA
Minister for Health and Ageing Nicola Roxon and Member for Fremantle Melissa Parke today announced that four local government organisations in Western Australia, will receive funding to run programs that will encourage and support people to adopt and sustain healthier lifestyles. Read more
Closing Date Extension for Local Government Area Grant Applications
The closing date for Healthy Communities Initiative grant applications has been extended from Friday 4 February 2011 to Friday 18 February 2011. Read more
UPDATED HCI Phase 2 FAQ's
Healthy Communities Initiative Phase 2 Local Government Area Grants FAQ's (updated 23 December 2010) Read more
Healthy Communities Phase 2 Grants Announced
Through the National Partnership Agreement on Preventive Health the Australian Government is providing $71.8 million over four years from 2009-10 to support Local Government Areas (LGAs) in delivering effective community-based physical activity and healthy eating programs, as well as developing a range of local policies that support healthy lifestyle behaviours. Read more
Lift for Life receives Commonwealth Funding for the Healthy Communities Initiative
Nicola Roxon, Minister for Health & Ageing today announced a significant National Program Grant to Fitness Australia, the health & fitness industry association, as part of the COAG Healthy Communities Initiative. The funding of $986,920 over three years will be used to promote the delivery of the Lift for Life® program within fitness centres across Australia. Read more
Strength Training's Preventative Capabilities
The research into Lift for Life focused on the management of type 2 diabetes however evidence continues to emerge to show the preventative potential of progressive strength training. Read more
Muscle-Up to Manage Type 2
Pumping iron isn’t just for body builders like Arnold Schwarzenegger. It’s for everyone, especially if you have type 2 diabetes or are at risk of getting it. The following article appeared in the Mar-Apr 09 edition of Diabetic Living. Click here to view or download the article. Read more
Decrease Diabetes Risk
Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to many related health conditions like heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure and circulation problems. Read more
Exercise is a health issue so let's help people get moving
Had you been an older person with high blood pressure as late as the 1980s, you would have found yourself given medication and told not to exert yourself, to avoid excitement, and importantly, avoid strenuous activity. Read more
IDI merges with the Baker
The merger between the International Diabetes Institute and the Baker Heart Research Institute marks the establishment of Australia’s first national heart and diabetes institute... Read more
