One thing I’ve noticed over the years at MedHP is that everyone arrives with a different goal.
Some people want to get rid of aches and pains. Others want to improve their balance, get stronger or simply feel a bit more energetic. Some want to lose a few kilos, while others just want to keep doing the things they love for as long as they can.
But when you strip it all back, I think most people are actually training for exactly the same thing.
They’re training to keep up with the grandkids.
They’re training for that overseas holiday they’ve been planning.
They’re training to walk the golf course instead of jumping in a cart.
They’re training to hit a tennis ball a little cleaner.
They’re training to spend a full day in the garden without paying for it the next
morning.
They’re training to get down on the floor… and, just as importantly, get back up again!
And to me, that’s what exercise has always been about.
There’s a growing focus in health on the difference between lifespan and healthspan.
Lifespan is simply how long you live.
Healthspan is how many of those years you’re healthy, active, independent and able to enjoy life.
Personally, I’ll take a great healthspan over a long lifespan every day of the week.
Because what’s the point of living to 100 if the last twenty years are spent watching everyone else have the adventures?
The good news is that we have far more influence over our healthspan than many people realise.
What creates healthspan? It’s actually pretty simple.
Good cardiovascular fitness means you’re walking through airports instead of looking for the nearest seat. You’re playing 18 holes because you want to, not because you have to use a cart.
Staying strong means gardening all afternoon, carrying the shopping in one trip and getting up off the floor without giving it a second thought.
Good balance and mobility keep you confident on your feet, independent in your daily life and ready for whatever adventure comes next.
And let’s not forget one of the biggest benefits of all… the people.
Staying connected, staying social and feeling part of a community are some of the biggest predictors of healthy ageing.
I’ve always said MedHP is much more than a gym. Friendships are formed here every day. In fact, I think for many people the workout is only half the reason they come through the door…and I think that’s a wonderful thing!
The exciting part is that every time you exercise, you’re investing in your future.
Every gym session. Every walk. Every time you choose movement over sitting still.
They’re all deposits into your health account.
Just like putting money into your super, those small deposits add up over time. The more consistently you invest, the greater the return you’ll enjoy in the years ahead.
You’re not just training for today.
You’re training for holidays, new adventures, independence, confidence and the freedom to keep saying ‘yes’ to whatever life throws your way.
Because at MedHP, we’re not just interested in adding years to your life.
We’re passionate about adding life to your years.
See you on the gym floor.
MedHP Clinic Updates
July saw us host our first ever MedHP Trivia Night, and what a night it was! It was great to see our members getting involved, having a laugh and, for once, swapping brawn for brains. After a hard-fought battle, ‘Triple Threat’ came out on top and were rewarded with a fortnight’s free membership each. Congratulations to the team!
Our Allied Health Education Night will be on Thursday the 13th of August, alongside Momentum Podiatry and Bluff Rd Physio. It’s been fantastic to see how eager our members are to learn more about their health, with such a huge response that we’ve had to create a waitlist! It’s clear that education is something our community values, and we look forward to hosting more events like this in the future.
Speaking of upcoming events, Saturday the 3rd of October is one to put in the calendar! We’ll be hosting the MedHP Hub Open Day, a free event showcasing the range of services available at our new MedHP Hub location at 42 Advantage Road, Highett. It’ll be a great opportunity to explore the new space, meet the team and learn more about what we offer. More information to come!
From 17 August, we’ll also begin transitioning away from our larger exercise classes and introducing small, personalised exercise groups, with a maximum of four members working with one Exercise Physiologist. This new model combines the motivation, support and social connection of exercising with others, with the benefits of a personalised program tailored to your individual needs, goals and abilities. With these groups, our Exercise Physiologists will have more time for coaching, technique correction, education and progression, while being able to closely monitor your progress and adjust your program as needed. We’re excited about this change and believe it will provide an even more personalised and clinically focused experience for our members. If you have any questions, please reach out to our friendly admin team.
Finally, we want your music to be part of the MedHP experience! If there’s a song you’d like added to our gym playlist, let our admin team know. You can request up to three songs per person… choose wisely!
Family Ties
One of the things we love most about MedHP is the strong sense of community, and that extends to the families who exercise with us. Whether it’s a sibling, parent, child, partner or another loved one, we love seeing family members supporting each other on their health and exercise journeys.
Did you know that over a quarter of our members have family ties at MedHP? It’s something we’re incredibly proud of and a great reflection of the community we’ve created.
We all know someone who has been told they should exercise more but doesn’t know where to start, someone who exercises well but struggles to stick to a routine, or someone who simply needs that extra level of care and guidance with their health. Bringing someone along to MedHP can be a great way to help them get started, while also providing social connection, accountability and better physical health for both of you. If you know someone who fits this description, we’d love the opportunity to help them or simply point them in the right direction.
A great example of this is Lucy and Frances, a mother-daughter duo who have both made significant strides in their health by continuing to show up and buy into the Exercise Physiology service at MedHP.
Lucy has been a member for three and a half years, originally joining after hearing Sam speak at a presentation. She particularly values the focus on ageing well and maintaining long-term health, as well as the motivation that comes from the MedHP community. “One of the highlights has been the camaraderie among the members. The friendships and sense of community make coming to the gym enjoyable and provide extra motivation to keep showing up.”
Frances, on the other hand, admits she was “never a gym person” and much preferred exercising outdoors. After some encouragement from Lucy and her friends, she decided to give MedHP a try and has now been a member for nearly two years, even convincing her husband to join too! “People are very friendly and there’s a real community here. People are focused on improving their strength, preventing injury and living a long, healthy life. A far cry from the typical gym where people are focused on how ripped they are.”
Another great example is Anne and James, a husband and wife duo who have become part of our regular morning crew. They began their MedHP journey together in 2025 and have been incredibly consistent and diligent with their programs ever since. They’re also always quick to greet our staff and fellow members with a friendly smile.
“We love coming to MedHP because it is so welcoming. The staff are professional and friendly, the gym is spotlessly clean, and we really enjoy our programs. We also love the social interaction with the other gym members.”
We also understand that life doesn’t always make exercise a priority. For those who have experienced the loss of a family member, friend or loved one, we appreciate that exercise can understandably fall down the priority list. We want to acknowledge and congratulate you for continuing to show up and make your health a priority, even when it isn’t easy. Perhaps most importantly, we love hearing that so many of our members consider MedHP a family away from home. That’s a credit to all of you and the culture you’ve created through your welcoming nature, friendliness and willingness to support one another.
So whether you’ve brought your family with you, made new friends here, or simply found a community that feels like home, thank you for making MedHP what it is.
Did you know…
Getting up from the floor is a surprisingly good test of healthy ageing?
It requires a combination of leg strength, balance, mobility and coordination… all things that can gradually decline as we get older if we don’t train them.
One reason is that as we age, we tend to lose muscle mass and strength, with our Type II muscle fibres (fast-twitch fibres) being particularly vulnerable. These are the muscle fibres responsible for producing quick, powerful movements, like pushing yourself up from the floor, getting out of a chair, climbing stairs or catching yourself when you lose your balance.
The good news? These changes aren’t simply an inevitable part of ageing. Regular resistance and power-based exercise can help maintain muscle strength, function and independence as we get older.
Act Now!
Whether you’re looking to begin your exercise journey, review your current program, or check out our amazing new facilities, now is the perfect time to get started!
Book an appointment with one of our experienced Exercise Physiologists today and let us help you move, feel, and live better.
