Former Port Adelaide forward Daniel Stewart, aged 37, has tragically passed away due to an unexpected health episode. His former teammate and friend Kane Cornes expressed shock and grief, describing Stewart as a brilliant and caring teammate. Stewart, known as Snowy, co-founded the fitness empire Body Fit Training (BFT) with Matt Thomas. His wife, Laura, confirmed the devastating news, requesting privacy as they mourn their loss. A GoFundMe page has been established to support Stewart's family, raising over $65,000 at the time of writing.
Goonellabah residents can try a range of free fitness activities at the Goonellabah Sports and Aquatic Centre on Saturday, 31 October, from 8am to 11am. Sessions include pickleball, Pilates, Zumba, spin, HIIT and strength training, along with gentler options such as Stretch & Recovery and pre-natal fitness. Local health providers will run information stalls, and giveaways will be offered during the morning. No bookings are required, and participants can sign in on arrival. Lismore City Council leisure facility manager Natasha Everett said the event suits people of all fitness levels.
More than half of Australians say they want a summer body this year, according to data from the nutrition app MyFitnessPal, more than double last year's share. The research found 56 per cent plan to cut calories, and almost one in three intend to skip meals. Perth personal trainer Alex Fudge says wanting to improve how you look is fine when it comes from a place of self-care rather than self-criticism. She recommends strength training two to three times a week, regular walking and balanced meals.
AU Now app
Your suburb’s news, alerts and Shorts — in one app
Alerts, Shorts and your saved stories — free on Google Play.
Perth woman Esther Fischer, 75, has become the world's oldest person to hold a handstand. She held the stance for 55 seconds on August 31, well beyond the 15 seconds required to break the record. The idea came up over coffee with friends, and she said it took her three years of practice to master. Her local gym has since introduced a longevity class for people aged 60 and over, which has drawn several new members. Ms Fischer's next goal is a one-arm handstand.
Cooktown newcomer Adam Hagy won two gold medals and placed second overall at his first natural bodybuilding competition in Townsville. He trained for more than 200 days, often starting at 3:15 am in the Cooktown Events Centre gym. Hagy credits the town's gym members, local businesses and residents for their support. Local shops helped him keep to his strict diet. He plans to rest and maintain his fitness before considering another competition in 2028.
Ten students from Northlakes High School will take part in the Deadly Dozen Newcastle fitness race on Sunday, November 1. The local community organisation Spotters Project is also entering the event.
Kensington Community Aquatic and Recreation Centre marked one year since reopening with a community birthday event on Saturday, October 17. Hundreds of locals attended activities including free fitness classes, a pool party and $2 coffees. Since opening in October 2025, the centre has welcomed more than 500,000 visitors and helped 140 people learn to swim for free. Lord Mayor Nick Reece said the centre had quickly become part of local life. The centre was also named Community Facility of the Year by Parks and Leisure Australia.
Kagiso Rabada looks set to play his first competitive match in four-and-a-half months in the second Test against Australia. Captain Temba Bavuma said the fast bowler was available for selection after being released by the fitness team. Rabada missed the first Test with a hamstring strain. South Africa are also weighing changes to their attack, with spinners Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer competing for one spot. Anrich Nortje is also available, and Marques Ackerman and Matthew Breetzke are likely to bat.
Phoebe Litchfield trained at North Sydney Oval on Saturday and will be assessed further before Sunday's first T20 international against New Zealand. The batter is recovering from a hip muscle strain that kept her out of the final one-day match against Bangladesh. Her absence could open a spot for Tahlia McGrath or Alana King. Lucy Hamilton has rejoined the squad after a quad injury, and Megan Schutt is back in contention after a strong one-day series. Coach Shelley Nitschke said Australia hopes Litchfield will be available.
A South Australian farmer, Ben Wundersitz, started a fitness group for rural men after a doctor advised him to lose weight. The group, called Fat Farmers, began with ten men and now runs more than 80 groups nationwide. Its members meet weekly to exercise and talk about issues such as drought, financial stress and depression. Since December 2025, a mobile clinic has carried out more than 1000 health checks, which have helped detect conditions such as skin cancer and heart disease.
Perth’s eastern suburbs now host a new wellness and recovery centre, Recovery at Genesis Belmont, which opened on 10 October. The facility features advanced recovery technologies such as red light therapy, infrared saunas, and massage equipment. This marks the fitness chain’s first dedicated recovery space in Western Australia and its fifth nationwide. Genesis Health + Fitness CEO Ian Jensen-Muir emphasised the centre’s role in supporting members’ evolving health goals. The brand operates 40 locations across Australia, having launched in Victoria in 1997.
David Hammond, 90, has built a busy life in Griffith, including a recent turn to intensive gym work. He was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease at 89 and began training with personal trainer Lena Sergi at LiveFit 24/7 Griffith Gym. He now trains twice a week, focusing on strength, mobility and balance. A former chief executive of Riverina Wines and Miranda Wines, Mr Hammond says he has not drunk alcohol for eight years. He also says he met his partner of 10 years through an online dating app.
As part of Small Business Month, three local businesses in northern New South Wales are profiled. Pauline Weller runs Dance Fit with Pauline in Coffs Harbour, where her all-abilities Monday Zumba class draws more than 30 people weekly. Chill Mate Hire in Guyra, a family business led by Brody Hoffman, offers mobile coolroom and freezer hire, with in-house repairs by qualified tradespeople. In Maclean, Sarah Eifermann founded SFE Loans, which provides business finance across the Clarence Valley.
The Renpho MorphoScan and Runstar FG2015 are nearly identical full-body scanners, both using the same app. The Runstar model, priced at $140, tracks 20 metrics and supports 24 users. The Tanita RD-953 InnerScan Pro, priced at $230, is a feet-only scale with a central display. The Withings BodyFit, also $230, offers full-body analysis with Wi-Fi connectivity. The Arboleaf Body Fat Scale CS20W, priced at $50, is an affordable Bluetooth scale with a user-friendly app. The Garmin Index S2, priced at $200, features a color display and Wi-Fi connectivity.
Former Bachelor star Sam Wood has been refused bail after being charged with assaulting and strangling his wife on a family holiday in Noosa. Police allege Wood threw his wife against a wall and tried to strangle her after an argument. Magistrate Janelle Boegheim said a prior allegation from Victoria was not proof of any criminal conduct. Wood denies both charges. He has been transferred to a Brisbane prison, and his legal team plans to apply for bail in the Supreme Court.
AU Now app
Your suburb’s news, alerts and Shorts — in one app
Alerts, Shorts and your saved stories — free on Google Play.
Townsville will host Australia's largest women-only functional fitness competition on Sunday, 11 October 2026, at CrossFit Townsville. About 300 women of different ages and fitness levels will take part, with around 1,200 people expected to attend. The Butterfly Effect Competition celebrates strength rather than appearance and raises money and awareness for the Butterfly Foundation, which supports people affected by eating disorders. Townsville City Council is partnering with the organisers.
Aldi is bringing back its popular walking pad, the CRANE model, to stores as a Special Buy on Saturday 17 October for $199. The compact treadmill has a smart LED display that tracks time, speed, distance, calories and steps, plus a remote control. It has a timber frame and comes fully assembled. Previous Aldi walking pad Special Buys sold out quickly at some stores. Owners praised its quiet operation and wood trim, though some found it heavy and small. Aldi is also launching other fitness products, and the walking pad is available while stocks last.
Running is a common form of exercise but has a high injury rate, particularly among beginners. Most injuries affect the knee, ankle and lower leg, and are often overuse injuries. Strength training may help prevent injuries, but adherence to such programs is crucial. Other strategies to reduce injury risk include gradual increases in running distance, proper nutrition, and running on softer surfaces like grass.
