How Exercise Can Ease Anxiety: Camberwell’s Active Approach to Mental Health

Residents across Camberwell have been increasingly embracing exercise as a tool for managing anxiety, with local wellbeing advocates pointing to a steady rise in participation at clubs and studios along Burke Road and surrounding neighbourhoods.

The link between regular physical activity and lower anxiety symptoms is not new, but community appetite for evidence-backed stress relief has surged over the past year. Work pressures and uncertainty about the future have only added to everyday stress-a challenge wellness professionals say is reflected in higher attendance at mental health-focused classes in Camberwell.

Community Moves: Local Gyms and Parks Leading the Way

On a crisp Saturday morning in Fordham Gardens, walkers and joggers can be seen looping the shady paths, while bikes clatter along the Anniversary Trail. At Camberwell Community Centre, yoga and mindfulness sessions are booked out most weekends, according to the centre’s booking records for 2026. Meanwhile, F45 Camberwell reports an uptick in demand for its small-group training-a trend echoed by membership sign-ups tracked since January.

Boroondara Leisure and Aquatic Centre, known locally as BLAC, has recently expanded its early morning group fitness classes, responding to what staff described as "a notable increase" in members seeking exercise as a way to manage anxiety. At under $20 for a casual group fitness pass as of July 2026, sessions are often full, especially those marketed for "mind and body" wellness.

What the Science Says About Exercise and Anxiety

The connection between exercise and improved mental wellbeing is supported by recent data. A 2023 report from Beyond Blue highlighted that people who engaged in at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity each week reported roughly 25% lower anxiety symptoms compared to less active peers. The report’s findings are underscored by anecdotal feedback from local practitioners in Camberwell, who note that routine exercise-whether resistance training, brisk walking, or yoga-can help buffer daily stress.

Camberwell Wellness Clinic on Riversdale Road has added group running therapy to its schedule since March, noting both cost-effectiveness and accessibility for residents hesitant about solo gym memberships. Community leaderboards posted in-store track collective kilometres and encourage a sense of progress, which some regulars say is a motivator through winter’s shorter days.

For those considering a new routine, most local fitness centres offer a free introductory class, and Camberwell Community Centre occasionally lists gold-coin donation sessions for newcomers. Practitioners recommend starting small, aiming for two to three short sessions a week, and building up gradually-always consulting with a Camberwell-area health professional before making significant changes to their activity level. With options ranging from Pilates at Camberwell Pilates Studio to lunchtime HIIT classes at The Base Gym on Prospect Hill Road, residents are increasingly spoilt for choice when it comes to anxiety-busting movement.