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Simon Kennedy, Member for Cook, has emerged as the fittest Federal MP in AUSactive’s bipartisan Fit for Office challenge, surpassing last year’s winner, Dr Andrew Leigh.

AUSactive’s three-week exercise initiative engaged 37 MPs and 150 parliamentary staff in addressing Australia’s $14.1 billion annual physical inactivity crisis.

It saw participants log their workouts using the Myzone app, tracking heart rate-based effort points (MEPs) to ensure a level playing field. 

The results were:

MP Challenge Leaderboard MEPs
1. Simon Kennedy MP - 6444
2. Dr Andrew Leigh MP - 6149
3. Angus Taylor MP - 3974

With 1.75 million Australians delaying GP visits due to cost, two-thirds of Australian adults being overweight or obese and physical inactivity driving chronic diseases costing the health system $14.1 billion a year, Fit for Office urges a national movement towards healthier habits.

Data shows even just moving more 15 minutes a day helps prevent type 2 diabetes, heart disease, dementia, cancer, and heart disease (Australia’s leading killer) while improving mental health by 22.5%.

Commenting on the results, AUSactive Chief Executive, Barrie Elvish, stated “I congratulate Simon Kennedy for taking out first place in the 2024 Fit for Office challenge. Although he has secured a podium position, in reality all our federal representatives who participated are winners.

“I thank them for demonstrating their personal commitment to physical activity and acting as great role models for the Australian community.”

Simon Kennedy’s Fitness Journey
After a routine Heart Foundation check at parliament revealed elevated blood pressure and cholesterol, Kennedy committed to transforming his health.

He works out with personal trainer Phil Baggnal at Anytime Fitness in in Miranda, Caringbah, and Cronulla, and runs around his electorate – sometimes up to 15kms – with Australian cricket legend Steve Waugh. As a result, he has:

• Dropped from 86kg to 81kg
• Lost 5kg, reduced fat by 4%
• Improved his blood pressure from 132/88 to 120/75

Father-of-two Kennedy, aged 42, advised “I’ve always been fit and healthy, but the health check surprised me. It was enough to click me into gear to refocus on fitness.

“I’ve dropped from 86 kilos to 81 kilos, and dropped 4% fat and put on 4% muscle. The high cholesterol and Fit for Office challenge gave me the push I needed, and I will be keeping this up.

“My blood pressure is now 120/75 whereas before it was 132/88, and I really love the social aspect of exercising with Steve, Phil and all the local community members in their boot camps.

“We do training sessions with high intensity weights, and I do boot camps on the weekend, mixed in with running. In the early days, Phil made me take photos of meals to hold me to account, which was intense, but it gets results.”

Why moving more matters
Australia faces a $14.1 billion annual cost from physical inactivity, with two-thirds of adults overweight or obese. Evidence shows just 15 minutes of daily movement can:

• Improve mental health by 22.5%
• Slash type 2 diabetes risk by 30-50%
• Cut coronary heart disease risk by 40%

Dr Leigh, whose Myzone device shows he burned 5534 Myzone Effort points (MEPs), went on to say “exercise is good for the body, and good for the soul.

“Thanks to AUSactive for encouraging parliamentarians to not only run for office, but also run while in office.

“Participation from across the parliament shows how much members and senators value exercise, and the benefits it brings to healthier lives and stronger communities.”

Elvish noted “this is the moment for change. Australia’s healthcare system cannot sustain the growing burden of inactivity. Australia must shift from being a nation of spectators to one of participants.

 “A small shift in behaviours will save lives, improve mental health, and slash billions in healthcare costs.”

Images: Simon Kennedy, winner of this year's Fit for Office challenge (top), last year's winner Dr Andrew Leigh (middle) and Parliamentarians at the start of the challenge (below).

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