Why moving to Perth’s CBD could be the best thing for your health

What is it about our inner city that gets residents moving?

The easy access to inner city spaces can unlock a healthier lifestyle. It’s like having an enormous gym outside your window (as well as many actual gyms, of course). Here’s what to expect when you move to the City of Perth.

We run this city

In today’s world, Perth CBD’s position and spacious riverfront makes it arguably the best place on the planet to go for a run.

Tracks are easily accessed from the city’s apartment foyers. The 10km ‘Bridges’ loop is flat and fast, and runners can join it at any point. It is a rough oval, curving through Elizabeth Quay and over to South Perth (if you go anticlockwise). Pedestrian and cyclist bridges across Heirisson Island and McCullum Park are set to be completed this year, improving this end of the already-beautiful route.

Trail runners can get their fix at Kings Park. The tidy lawns quickly become bush-lined tracks and the buzz of the city fades away before you know it. Make good use of the twisting tracks and you can get your KMs into double digits (not to mention see some unparalleled views of the Derbarl Yerrigan / Swan River). The extensive Next Gen Kings Park fitness club is here too.

Living within walking distance of a green space bigger than Central Park is the ultimate motivator. Those 5, 10 or 21km PBs are out there among the banksias. No dodging garbos and guard dogs, and no excuses.

Ride out

The CBD is a hub for cyclists. Picture a bike wheel, with spokes offering cycle options in all directions. Get on the cycle path at Langley Park and follow it all the way to Fremantle. Take off from Northbridge and head up the coast. Or journey east through Maylands to Guildford, winding along the river.

In the City of Perth cyclists are well catered for. There is a new shared path along Kings Park Road, linking to the existing inner-city network. These CBD transport upgrades are just one part of a $1.75 billion investment into the CBD that is delivering updates to walking and riding facilities in Spring Street, Wellington Street and Northbridge, among other exciting developments.

Most apartment buildings have secure bike racks, and there’s free e-bike charging at RAC Arena.

Fitness never sleeps

The Goodlife, Snap Fitness and Anytime Fitness brands all have 24-hour gyms in the CBD. They’re easy to find, secure and convenient. While many of Perth’s apartment complexes have gym facilities, some prefer to work out away from home, or in a communal setting. The city puts these healthy habits within walking distance.

The Track in East Perth has given 24/7 exercise the premium treatment. Machines and facilities are first-rate, and the location means the views take your breath away before the treadmill does.

Being able to walk to the gym also makes you more likely to go. Multiple studies show that proximity equals frequency. It follows that a spontaneous session is an easy option. Whether jumping in the lift or walking a couple of blocks, an inner-city apartment takes planning out of the conversation.

And if solitude is your thing, that inner-city proximity makes it easier to pick the right time to have the weights to yourself – or, at least, get plenty of time on your favourite machine.

Sports in the city

Group sport and exercise doesn’t need an oval. In an alleyway off Murray Street is Cuban Boxing Club. This isn’t the place to pose with a water bottle. It’s old school, with bags, a ring and not much else – in other words, no distractions. You can sign up at the bottom of the staircase or find the crew in front of the graffiti outside, a blur of skipping ropes and hand wraps.

If boxing gloves aren’t your thing, you could get your sweat on at personal training in Kings Park (or any of the other green spaces) or find your zen at numerous yoga studios within city limits. Early starts are easy when you can walk there in minutes.

The city’s biggest fitness draw might be the WACA redevelopment. The world-renowned sports ground is sacrificing seating for two swimming pools, a health and fitness facility and a 10-lane indoor cricket centre. Rivalling Sydney’s SCG complex, there will also be a café, creche and playground. Work is set to be complete by mid-2025.

Health is high-rise

It can be easy to think that home space equals health. But the correlation between a bigger floorplan and physical wellbeing isn’t always the case – for starters, it’s just more house to clean! Those minutes gained from less chores, could be minutes spent walking, running or just taking time out to refresh by the river.

A study of more than 400,000 adults conducted by Oxford University and a University of Hong Kong study found that people living in high-density British cities did more exercise than their peers in the suburbs and were generally fitter.

Location is often central to a fitter, healthier lifestyle but removing all those barriers that keep us from exercising and moving can also be the key to unlocking a healthier, happier life. Putting your home at the heart of WA’s best fitness and outdoor spaces means never having to get in a car to drive to your favourite fitness zone ever again. Just put on your running shoes, step into your riding cleats or grab your gym towel and head out the door.

And when you’re done, you’ll have time left over to take that book you’ve been meaning to read to your favourite expanse of greenery to soak up Perth’s famed fresh air.