The place you live can affect how healthy and active you are. Certain cities provide the right resources to help you stay active.
The American College of Sports Medicine analyzed and ranked the 100 largest cities in the United States in 2023 to determine their overall fitness levels. The index used 34 indicators to evaluate factors like how much fruits and vegetables people eat, how often they exercise, their overall personal health, and their access to parks, playgrounds, and recreational centers.
Fittest Cities in the U.S.
Arlington, Virginia
Arlington has been named the fittest city in the United States for the sixth consecutive time by the American Fitness Index. It ranked in the top 10 for 16 out of the 34 indicators analyzed.
- The population is 234,000.
Highlights: Arlington is ranked as the top city in six different areas. These include personal health, community and environment, the percentage of residents who exercise regularly, the percentage of residents with diabetes, and the percentage of residents who live within a 10-minute walk to a park.
Washington, D.C.
The capital of the country is known for its good food options and efficient transportation system. The city was ranked in the top 10 for two categories: the percentage of residents who bike or walk to work, and the percentage of residents who use public transportation.
- The population is 670,949.
Highlights: Washington, D.C. is ranked first for the highest percentage of its population that eats two or more fruits a day. It is also ranked second for the highest percentage of people who eat three or more vegetables per day, out of all the cities that were analyzed.
Seattle, Washington
The Emerald City ranks third in this year’s fitness index. It performs well in personal health, which looks at what individuals are doing to get and stay healthy, according to the report.
- The population is 749,256.
Highlights: The city places a high importance on its parks, spending the fourth-highest amount per person compared to other analyzed cities. It also has the fourth-highest percentage of residents who bike or walk to work.
Also Read: Exploring 5 Most Dangerous Neighborhoods To Reside In Milwaukee
Minneapolis, Minnesota
The Twin Cities, which has a larger population, ranks fourth overall in terms of fitness in the index. It is ranked as the 9th best for personal health and the 5th best in the community and environment category.
- The population is 425,096.
Highlights: Minneapolis is ranked highest for Bike Score, which measures if a location is good for biking based on its bike infrastructure, geography, and number of bicyclists. It is also highly ranked for having parks that are within a 10-minute walk and for having a large percentage of residents who have exercised in the past month.
Irvine, California
Irvine, a city in Orange County, California, is known for its residents’ strong emphasis on personal health. This focus has contributed to Irvine being ranked as the fifth-fittest city in the United States, according to the index.
- The population is 313,685.
Highlights: Around 86% of the people living in Irvine have worked out in the past 30 days, and 57.2% have followed the recommended aerobic activity guidelines set by the American College of Sports Medicine and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Madison, Wisconsin
Madison is ranked as the 6th healthiest city in the 2023 American Fitness Index. It has a high personal health score and the highest number of parks and playgrounds per 10,000 residents.
- The population is 272,903.
Highlights: The people living in Madison are doing well when it comes to their health. 64% of the residents are in excellent or very good health, which is the highest percentage compared to other cities in the 2023 rankings.
Conclusion
The American College of Sports Medicine has ranked the 100 largest cities in the US in 2023 based on their overall fitness levels. Arlington, Virginia, has been named the fittest city for the sixth consecutive time, with 16 out of 34 indicators analyzed. Washington, D.C., Seattle, Minneapolis, Irvine, and Madison are ranked based on personal health, community and environment, bike score, and access to parks and recreational centers. These cities provide the right resources to help residents stay active and maintain good health.
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