Australians hit the track during COVID-19 restrictions

Medibank’s Live Better Rewards program is inspiring Australians to exercise more throughout COVID-19 restrictions with a spike in activity over the last six-weeks. Users have increased their exercise equivalent to running twice around the globe and meditating for six months, compared to the previous six weeks.

Medibank Chief Customer Officer David Koczkar said Australians have done a great job adapting quickly to a new way of life and making changes to the way they look after their health and wellbeing, since the closure of gyms and yoga and Pilates studios.

“Thousands of Australians using the Live Better app have tracked 20 per cent more running and meditation during COVID-19 compared to the previous six weeks.

“They have run 81,000 kilometres and completed 268,000 minutes of mindfulness,” he said

There has also been a move towards healthy eating at home, with a 50 per cent increase in users tracking eating 2 serves of fruit and 5 serves of vegetables each day.

Additionally, users have tracked 20 per cent more brain training activities and high intensity interval training (HITT) while they’ve swapped alcohol for water more than 10,600 times.

Overall, Sydney has recorded the highest increase in activity while Tasmania has recorded the lowest.

There are activities that are more popular in some states and territories, than others.

• NSW, VIC, QLD, ACT, WA – walking, 7 hours sleep
• NT, SA – walking, 8 glasses of water
• TAS – running, walking

“I’d encourage everyone to continue to make time for their Live Better journey, whether through exercise, mindfulness, an act of kindness or making some healthy meals and you’ll be rewarded for it,” Mr Koczkar said.

In response to the COVID-19 restrictions, Medibank last month launched Live Better at Home, a free online program of workout videos, cooking demonstrations and guided meditations for people to do from the comfort of their own home.

About Live Better

For tips and tools to help you eat, move and feel better, Medibank has created Live Better to support the health and wellbeing of all Australians. Live Better includes an online health hub, Medibank supported free, active and social activities and the new Live Better rewards app. With Live Better rewards, eligible Medibank customers with hospital or extras cover can track their healthy actions and earn rewards for looking after their health. Find out more at www.medibank.com.au/livebetter/rewards.