Up and at 'em: Melbourne celebrities reveal their favourite lockdown exercise routines and playlists

During lockdown, the time of day many of us look forward to the most is the few hours we get to spend outdoors.  Whether it’s running laps around our local park, taking a gentle stroll along the closest body of water, or doing a bit of yoga under a tree – our allocated outdoor exercise time is something many of us have come to cherish during lockdown. 

We spoke to some beloved Melburnians about how they spend their daily outdoor exercise time, the music they listen to and the podcasts that keep them entertained along the way.

Scott Pickett, restaurateur, including Estelle, Matilda and Chancery Lane

Outdoor activity 

I love going for a walk around Darebin Parklands. It feels like I’m walking out somewhere in the wilderness, when in fact, it’s within my five kilometres. 

Favourite music
I am currently listening to a ’90s Rock Anthems playlist. It was the best era for rock of all time; lots of my favourites like Rage Against the Machine, Metallica, Nirvana and Pearl Jam. Hard rock is the greatest pick me up and really gets me pumping!

Favourite podcast
The Imperfects. It’s a great podcast that speaks to the fact that we are all imperfect. They chat with a lot of different people who share their struggles and imperfections. It really brings things down to earth and helps me practice mindfulness in my day-to-day.

Virginia Trioli, ABC Radio Melbourne host

Activity
I ride to work each day and then walk the dog with my husband and son before dinner. During last year’s big lockdown, we did the whole gym-at-home thing and gradually accumulated some hand weights, resistance bands and a bench, so I try to do some regular strength work during the week. On a weekend, we all do much longer walks around the perimeter of and through Royal Park, where we track the progress of fledgling tawny frogmouths. 

Favourite music 

All the songs I’ve recently searched or Shazamed have somehow formed themselves into an evolving playlist of music from the ’90s, 2000s and now. I rely on Double J to keep me up to date with new music, Brian Wise on 3RRR on a Saturday morning for soul and blues, and Richard Kingsmill’s Saturday night The Fun House for my kitchen disco. I’m loving new music from Amyl and the Sniffers and CHVRCHES. 

Favourite podcast
I do love Dan Ilic’s A Rational Fear for its savage satire and any old episode of Malcolm Gladwell’s Revisionist History.

Peter Hitchener, Channel Nine News presenter 

Activity  

I live near a park, and most days, I go for a walk, along with just about everyone else in the neighbourhood. I perform laps of the ovals and explore surrounding streets trying to reach the elusive 10 thousand steps. Nice, but what makes it especially enjoyable is the company I keep – Jasper, a large Siberian husky. 

Jasper belongs to a neighbour. He’s unable to walk her, but he kindly allows me to.

Despite being 15 years old, Jasper sets a cracking pace. Everyone stops and pats her; however, Jasper has little time for such niceties. If I spend too long chatting, the dog raises her head to the skies, demanding we hurry up with a howl even an Arctic wolf would be proud of.

Favourite music
I have hundreds of songs in my playlist, everything from opera to the Rolling Stones. What I listen to depends on the mood of the day.

Favourite podcast 

My schedule means I can only occasionally listen to a podcast; recently, I was fascinated by one called Criminal. 

Jo Stanley, radio and podcast host

She’s one of Melbourne’s most-loved comedians and radio hosts, and in 2020 launched Broad Radio. Through lockdown, she’s been running, going to the dog park and kicking a footy with her kids. 

Outdoor activity 

I love running – well, it’s probably a jog because I don’t go fast. I’m lucky to have Elwood beach within my five-k’s, so I run along the bay, which always lifts my soul. Or we’ll do the dog park with our Labrador Daisy and kick a footy for added kid engagement.

Favourite music  

My 12-year old daughter introduces me to her faves. We’re loving Olivia Rodrigo. And then, in turn, I give her a little education. Right now, we’re on Elton John and David Bowie. I’m proud of her eclectic taste.

Favourite podcast

I’m building a start-up – a radio station for women, by women called Broad Radio. So, I listen to women entrepreneurs a lot, like My Daily Business Coach with Fiona Killacky or Lady Brains. Or, in true start-up founder style, I listen to our Broad Radio podcast to make sure we’re always improving on what we’re doing.

Livinia Nixon, TV and weather presenter

While we watch and listen to the weather report before our daily walks, Livinia Nixon is presenting them and has been doing so on Channel Nine since 2004. Her outdoor and exercise time in lockdown is for dog walking and Pilates. 

Activity

I walk our dog, Hannah, early in the morning before we all log on for home-schooling, and it’s a great way to start our day – the walk, that is. During the kid’s maths class, I’ll do an online Pilates session while Hannah stares at me as though I’m very strange! I’m really missing playing golf and cardio tennis with my girlfriends. 

Favourite music
I’m loving Dua Lipa – the perfect mood lifter.

Favourite podcast 

At the moment, I’m gravitating towards comedy podcasts. Somehow Related with Dave O’Neil and Glenn Robbins is making me laugh and teaching me stuff about stuff. Clearly, not grammar.

Julia Busuttil Nishimura, cook, teacher and author of Ostro and A Year of Simple Family Food

Activity 

During lockdown, I’ve been going on long walks along Merri Creek. It’s so lovely and bushy, and the kids love all the secret little trails. At home, I’ve been doing Fluidform Pilates, which I absolutely love. It’s challenging but enjoyable. As the weather gets warmer, I’ve been moving onto the terrace upstairs, and it feels so good to be up with the trees doing it.

Favourite music
I’ve been loving Nujabes. He was a Japanese producer, and his music is jazz-meets-hip-hop-meets-soul. It’s really relaxing and makes me feel like I’m on a holiday, which is nice because we definitely are not!

Favourite podcast
I adore Days Like These. It’s an ABC podcast hosted by the incredible Elizabeth Kulas, who happens to be a great friend of mine. 

 Shane Crawford, former AFL star and TV personality

Activity
I love going for a walk. I enjoy walking in different directions, never taking the same path or street, and heading down along the beach. I love walking along the path in Sandringham while listening to some radio or a podcast.

Favourite music
I enjoy the songs that remind me of my past – anything with Cat Stevens I like. 

Favourite podcast
I enjoy listening to Sam Newman’s podcast You Cannot Be Serious; it does make me smile the way those two – Don Scott and Sam Newman – fight. I also like catching up on Christian O’Connell’s podcast.

You can catch Shane on The Footy Show Grand Final Eve My Room Telethon on Friday, September 24 at 7.30pm on Channel 9