We’re big fans of moving in as many ways as possible, and Brisbane has literally hundreds of ways for you to haul ass, break a sweat, and have fun doing it!
1. Rock Climbing @Urban Climb
Indoor rock climbing is super easy to learn, incredibly safe, and great for people of all fitness and strength levels. If you’ve ever wanted to see your friends 10ft high with a giant wedgie, this is the place to go!
Cost: Adult – $20 | Child – $18 plus a one off $5 registration fee.
Location: Montague Road, West End
First timers: Staff will take you through a demo of how to climb and belay before you get started.
2. Bouncing!
All of your childhood dreams will be relived at recently opened Bounc Inc in Tingalpa! With 50 trampolines, giant airbags, wall-running, dodge ball and a host of other bounci-licious activities, you’ll be so busy wetting your pants with laughter you won’t even notice you’re exercising!
Cost: First session is $16/$10.50, and each session thereafter is $11/$8.50
Location: 40 Enterprise Place, Tingalpa QLD 4173
First Timers: If you like laughing, you can do this.
3. Mountain Biking
There are loooooads of places to go mountain biking in and around the Vegas, however our personal favourites are Mt. Coot-tha for its awesome proximity, and Daisy Hill for its rad fire trails and varying terrain.
Cost: Free! Until you stack it because you couldn’t unclip in time, in which case your dignity is up for sale.
Location: Mt. Coot-tha or Daisy Hill
First Timers: Daisy Hill is great for first time Mountain Bikers, as the walking tracks are huge and available to ride on, so fear not, you don’t have to tackle crazy, narrow fire trails your first time out. If you’re a first time rider and looking for some direction that’s not your crazy boyfriend shouting instructions at you while flying down hill at 100km an hour (Dave!), then you can get lessons!
4. Hiking
Like Mountain Biking, there are so many places for so many different fitness levels. Our personal favourite in summer is Mt Coot-tha . The sun is out until almost 7pm in the warmer months, and Coot-tha is almost bang in the middle of the city, so there are no excuses not to get an after work hike in with the family!
For those with a little more time up their sleeve, the Glass House Mountains on the way to the Sunshine Coast offer a host of walking trails for all fitness levels. More experienced climbers should hit up Mt. Tiprogargan for something a bit more challenging!
Cost: Free!
Location: See links above
First Timers: There are maps at all locations that give you an indication of the degree of difficulty of the train, first timers should pick the lowest grade. Be sure to take plenty of water with you!
5. Run the River Loop
No other city in Australia has a beach, botanical garden, river and city all within view of each other, and with a dedicated pathway connecting them! The Brisbane River Loop is our favourite running track, and allows you to make your own course depending on how far you want to run. There are always loads of other runners, walkers and cyclists on the loop, so do everyone a favour and be aware of your surroundings! No one wants to see man vs. bicycle.
There are loads of bubblers through Southbank and Kangaroo Point cliffs, however less in West End and on the city side of the loop, so you may need to bring your own bottle. Hydration is King!
Cost: Free!
Location: West End to Kangaroo Point
First Timers: Just get out and do it! Nobody ever regretted a workout, and you can go at whatever pace you desire.
6. Stand Up Paddle boarding
Trust us when we say you DO NOT have to be super coordinated to try this out. This is a really fun outdoor activity that engages muscles in your body you didn’t even know you had – so you’ll be sore the next day, but it will be worth it! Warm spring days are the perfect time to get out on the river, when the sun is that perfect temperature and not scorching you from all angles!
Cost: $55 p/person
Location: Leaves from Kangaroo Cliffs.
Frist Timers: Allll levels of fitness can do this, so just give it a go!
7. Kite Surfing
This one is a bit more of a skilled activity, but one of Dave’s favourites, so it’s on the list! Once you get the hang of it, kiting can be super fun, and an activity you can take to some of the most beautiful places in the world – did someone say BALI TRIP!!!
If you have our own equipment there are a couple of places in Brisbane you can go kiting – Sandgate and Brighton. Otherwise you will see loads of kite surfers out every weekend on the Gold and Sunshine Coasts.
Cost: Lessons at Kite Power Australia will set you back about $220
Location: Sandgate and Brighton
First Timers: Invest in lessons or get instruction from a mate that knows what they’re doing!
8. Crossfit
Primal and Paleo go hand in hand, so it’s really no surprise that this one is on our list! Let’s start by busting a couple of common misconceptions about CrossFit
- You DO NOT have to be fit to start CrossFit! You know how you go to the gym to get fit…this is the same thing!
- Crossfit is intimidating…for about two seconds! Then you meet a bunch of really great people who are fun and supportive, and coaches that just want to make you a better version of yourself!
There are tons of CrossFit gyms in Brisbane, and you can find the one closest to you by typing your postcode into http://map.crossfit.com/
Our personal favourites –
- Crossfit 4000: smack bang in the middle of the CBD with awesome all round programming
- Crossfit Milton: Also an awesome location, and great for developing super lifting skills
- Crossfit Zenergy: Located in Windsor. There is no-one more passionate about health than owner Tony.
- Crossfit Babes Miami: Located on the Gold Coast, but we had to put it in because it’s PINK!
- Crossfit Crossaxed: This place is HUGE! You could not possibly not have access to equipment in this place
- Ultra Crossfit: One of the best CrossFit communities we’ve seen!
Cost: $45-$55 per week | Casual sessions: $20
Location: http://map.crossfit.com/
First Timers: All boxes have an ‘OnRamp’ program for newbies, which takes you through the fundamental movements before you are thrown into a class.
9. Feel Good for Free in Southbank!
Southank has partnered with Goodlife Health Clubs and are offering loads of free classes through the warmer months! You can find everything from yoga and pilates, to Zumba and Aqua Aerobics on weeknights, all held in the beautiful outdoor spaces along Southbank.
Tip: Get in early if you can, as the classes attract a lot of people!
Cost: Free!
Location: Various areas of the Southbank Precinct.
First Timers: Anyone can take part in these group classes, that cater to all levels.
10. Yoga
There are loads of places you can get your zen on – and it’s not just for the ladies! Yoga isn’t just about becoming at one with yourself – it genuinely has awesome benefits you can see in any other aspects of training in which you take part.
Lululemon currently offer free yoga in their James St store every Sunday morning from 8:30am, until the end of December; so there are no excuses!
Cost: $0 – $40
Location: Everywhere! Just google it.
First Timers: You will feel ridiculous. Do it anyway.
