Men’s Health Week is a week for communities across Australia to promote the benefits of a healthy body and healthy mind in men and boys – and Moonee Valley Health and Fitness is encouraging all of Melbourne to inspire the men in their lives to move more.

“An active lifestyle is the most powerful way for a man to remain healthy, so that everything they have worked hard for can be enjoyed for longer. We know that regular exercise is one of the most effective ways to reduce and manage many chronic conditions and improve mental health, and that’s what makes it so vital for a healthy body and a healthy mind,” explains Accredited Exercise Physiologist, Daniel Berkelmans.

If you’re needing a hand with maintaining an active lifestyle, speak with an Accredited Exercise Scientist or Accredited Exercise Physiologist on how to get started with an exercise plan.

This year’s theme “HEALTHY BODY – HEALTHY MIND: KEEPING THE BALANCE” explores the different ways men and boys are managing to keep healthy, physically and emotionally, in a busy and sometimes challenging world. #MensHealthWeek

We want to motivate the men in our lives to include more physical activity into their daily schedules.

With family and work life becoming more demanding, and the perceived pressure from society of maintaining masculinity, exercise can drop low on the list of priorities. However, as per the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare statistics, only an alarming two in five men are getting enough exercise.

• Combine physical activity with date day! Go for a walk or a hike for example.
• Make physical activity social and see what local sports teams are recruiting in your area.
• Active family time! Play a game of footy or cricket in the garden with the kids.
• Encourage him to walk to the shops or to his mate’s place around the corner instead of driving.

Why is Australian male health so in need of attention? Why work on men’s health?

Because the health status of males in most countries, including Australia, is generally poorer than that of females.

More males die at every stages through the life course, more males have accidents, more males take their own lives and more males suffer from lifestyle-related health conditions than females at the same age.