The 50 Fittest Cities in America

Diet and exercise are important, but other factors can have a huge influence on whether a person lives a healthy lifestyle. The people you surround yourself with, your daily routines, and the environment in which you live all affect how fit you are. Living in a city where exercising is the norm and where gyms and healthy food are ubiquitous will make a major impact on whether a person sticks with healthy habits—or ends up with a beer gut and double chin.

With that in mind, we've drawn on a range of data points to assess which cities in the United States are "the fittest." These include the number of gyms per capita (per research company AggData), level of physical activity and access to exercise opportunities (per the U.S. Census' County Healthy Rankings), the "Healthy City Score" according to WalletHub (which draws on 34 relevant metrics including farmer's markets per capita, access to health care, and more), and Walk Score (which measures the walkability of a city based on distance to nearby places and pedestrian friendliness). From this info we created a Fit Score and have ranked the fittest cities below. And for the other side of the coin, be sure to check out The Fattest Cities in America. 

Population: 114,265
Gyms Per 10K Residents: 0.43
Physical Activity: 76
Healthy City Score: 53.46
Access to Exercise: 77
Walk Score: 29
Total Fit Score: 55.692

And for great fitness advice, learn the 5 easy ways to turn yourself into a morning workout machine.

Population: 176,534
Gyms Per 10K Residents: 0.57
Physical Activity: 81
Healthy City Score: 57.72
Access to Exercise: 90
Walk Score: 38
Total Fit Score: 64.744

To get exercising as much as the folks in Rancho Cucamonga, learn the 11 ways smart people motivate themselves to go to the gym.

Population: 190,894
Gyms Per 10K Residents: 0.7
Physical Activity: 82
Healthy City Score: 53.01
Access to Exercise: 94
Walk Score: 32
Total Fit Score: 66.202

And while you're at it, be sure to try out the single greatest HIIT routine for your heart.

Population: 215,973
Gyms Per 10K Residents: 0.72
Physical Activity: 82
Healthy City Score: 51.64
Access to Exercise: 87
Walk Score: 48
Total Fit Score: 68.128

To increase your own fitness level, be sure to make use of the single most effective cardio machine in the gym.

Population: 181,972
Gyms Per 10K Residents: 0.67
Physical Activity: 82
Healthy City Score: 59.67
Access to Exercise: 98
Walk Score: 34
Total Fit Score: 68.134

And to melt away even more calories, try any of the 10 best cardio workouts for people over 40.

Population: 237,133
Gyms Per 10K Residents: 0.86
Physical Activity: 82
Healthy City Score: 51.44
Access to Exercise: 93
Walk Score: 29
Total Fit Score: 68.288

For more excellent fitness advice, learn the one core exercise that will shred your entire abdomen.

Population: 167,319
Gyms Per 10K Residents: 0.91
Physical Activity: 77
Healthy City Score: 52.56
Access to Exercise: 84
Walk Score: 38
Total Fit Score: 68.512

If you find yourself passing through Springfield momentarily, be sure to learn the one exercise you can do anywhere—including the hotel bathroom.

Population: 247,477
Gyms Per 10K Residents: 0.86
Physical Activity: 82
Healthy City Score: 51.27
Access to Exercise: 93
Walk Score: 35
Total Fit Score: 69.454

To optimize your diet for fitness, be sure to check out the 10 best foods for a happy and healthy heart.

Population: 233,136
Gyms Per 10K Residents: 0.65
Physical Activity: 84
Healthy City Score: 58.82
Access to Exercise: 100
Walk Score: 44
Total Fit Score: 70.364

And to promote health across all aspects of your life, be sure to learn the 10 best non-exercise stress busters.

Population: 374,658
Gyms Per 10K Residents: 0.5
Physical Activity: 81
Healthy City Score: 62.67
Access to Exercise: 95
Walk Score: 64
Total Fit Score: 70.534

To get even more beach inspiration—as if you needed it—be sure to check out the 15 goddesses who prove that neon bikinis are back in style.

Population: 311,404
Gyms Per 10K Residents: 0.66
Physical Activity: 77
Healthy City Score: 53.02
Access to Exercise: 97
Walk Score: 65
Total Fit Score: 71.604

And to get the most out of your workouts, be sure to add the 5 best high-protein snacks of all time to your diet.

Population: 246,645
Gyms Per 10K Residents: 0.86
Physical Activity: 82
Healthy City Score: 67.14
Access to Exercise: 93
Walk Score: 32
Total Fit Score: 72.028

To maintain your fitness level, don't miss out on the 10 carbs that won't derail your six-pack.

Population: 223,154
Gyms Per 10K Residents: 0.91
Physical Activity: 84
Healthy City Score: 58.36
Access to Exercise: 92
Walk Score: 40
Total Fit Score: 73.072

And while you're at getting fit, be sure to learn the 30 ways that exercise improves your sex life.

Population: 377,165
Gyms Per 10K Residents: 0.87
Physical Activity: 78
Healthy City Score: 55.5
Access to Exercise: 95
Walk Score: 50
Total Fit Score: 73.1

And if you're hitting the beach in Tampa, try on one of the 25 best new swimsuits for men.

Population: 245,255
Gyms Per 10K Residents: 1
Physical Activity: 84
Healthy City Score: 53.17
Access to Exercise: 91
Walk Score: 38
Total Fit Score: 73.234

Reno isn't too far from Vegas, so while you're here, learn the one trick to double your money in a Vegas casino.

Population: 193,744
Gyms Per 10K Residents: 0.64
Physical Activity: 84
Healthy City Score: 67.5
Access to Exercise: 95
Walk Score: 57
Total Fit Score: 73.5

Salt Lake has some great skiing, to be sure, but not nearly as cool as the 5 most luxury ski trips you can take in the world.

Population: 470,130
Gyms Per 10K Residents: 0.67
Physical Activity: 82
Healthy City Score: 51.07
Access to Exercise: 98
Walk Score: 70
Total Fit Score: 73.614

To look your absolute best on the beach, try the 4 ab workouts that will get you a six-pack in six weeks.

Population: 280,364
Gyms Per 10K Residents: 1.2
Physical Activity: 76
Healthy City Score: 57.03
Access to Exercise: 74
Walk Score: 43
Total Fit Score: 74.006

Also, be sure to check out the 5 essential muscles fit people never ignore when they hit the gym.

Population: 200,831
Gyms Per 10K Residents: 0.67
Physical Activity: 82
Healthy City Score: 56.26
Access to Exercise: 98
Walk Score: 69
Total Fit Score: 74.452

And if you find yourself in the California sun too long, be sure to try out the 10 skincare products that are sure to beat the summer sun.

Population: 277,173
Gyms Per 10K Residents: 0.79
Physical Activity: 97
Healthy City Score: 56.44
Access to Exercise: 98
Walk Score: 42
Total Fit Score: 74.488

Orlando is a cool place to travel and all, with the fun rides and parks, but try getting a little more adventurous and jet off to the 10 secret escapes that the one percent are hiding away in.

Population: 303,625
Gyms Per 10K Residents: 0.86
Physical Activity: 78
Healthy City Score: 51.71
Access to Exercise: 95
Walk Score: 62
Total Fit Score: 74.542

Before you get out and tackle any exercising, though, be sure you know the 5 best stretches to do before any workout.

Population: 182,498
Gyms Per 10K Residents: 0.86
Physical Activity: 82
Healthy City Score: 58.92
Access to Exercise: 93
Walk Score: 54
Total Fit Score: 74.784

Population: 80,416
Gyms Per 10K Residents: 1.5
Physical Activity: 84
Healthy City Score: N/A
Access to Exercise: 94
Walk Score: 46
Total Fit Score: 74.8

Before embarking on a trip to Napa, be sure you know exactly how to spot a bottle of counterfeit wine.

Population: 472,522
Gyms Per 10K Residents: 0.98
Physical Activity: 82
Healthy City Score: 56.42
Access to Exercise: 90
Walk Score: 49
Total Fit Score: 75.084

Seeing as the Atlanta airport is the busiest in the country, when—not if—you fly in here, be sure you know the single best seat to snag on any airplane.

Population: 174,826
Gyms Per 10K Residents: 1
Physical Activity: 83
Healthy City Score: 55.54
Access to Exercise: 96
Walk Score: 41
Total Fit Score: 75.108

Population: 947,890
Gyms Per 10K Residents: 1.1
Physical Activity: 82
Healthy City Score: 53.82
Access to Exercise: 94
Walk Score: 40
Total Fit Score: 75.964

To take a break from the fitness, be sure to try out La Barbecue, one of the 50 greatest BBQ joints in the entire nation.

Population: 1,407,000
Gyms Per 10K Residents: 1
Physical Activity: 84
Healthy City Score: 54.61
Access to Exercise: 96
Walk Score: 51
Total Fit Score: 77.122

While you're on the water, try going out for a rowing class, one of the 5 luxury exercise classes the fittest people swear by.

Population: 64,465
Gyms Per 10K Residents: 1.4
Physical Activity: 87
Healthy City Score: N/A
Access to Exercise: 96
Walk Score: 63
Total Fit Score: 77.2

Population: 453,579
Gyms Per 10K Residents: 0.77
Physical Activity: 79
Healthy City Score: 52.46
Access to Exercise: 99
Walk Score: 79
Total Fit Score: 77.292

While you're in Miami, head to EAST, Miami, one of the 20 best hotel bars in America right now.

Population: 452,602
Gyms Per 10K Residents: 1.31
Physical Activity: 81
Healthy City Score: 52.28
Access to Exercise: 90
Walk Score: 33
Total Fit Score: 77.456

Population: 458,880
Gyms Per 10K Residents: 1.3
Physical Activity: 83
Healthy City Score: 53.55
Access to Exercise: 91
Walk Score: 30
Total Fit Score: 77.51

Population: 263,016
Gyms Per 10K Residents: 1.4
Physical Activity: 79
Healthy City Score: 50.32
Access to Exercise: 91
Walk Score: 29
Total Fit Score: 77.864

Population: 178,752
Gyms Per 10K Residents: 0.96
Physical Activity: 77
Healthy City Score: 58.82
Access to Exercise: 100
Walk Score: 59
Total Fit Score: 78.164

For more great fitness advice, learn the 6 best total-body one-move workouts of all time.

Population: 175,155
Gyms Per 10K Residents: 1.1
Physical Activity: 86
Healthy City Score: 56.25
Access to Exercise: 95
Walk Score: 44
Total Fit Score: 78.25

Population: 266,122
Gyms Per 10K Residents: 1.02
Physical Activity: 84
Healthy City Score: 63.23
Access to Exercise: 99
Walk Score: 44
Total Fit Score:  78.446

Also, check out the one exercise that's been proven to turn back the clock on aging.

Population: 495,234
Gyms Per 10K Residents: 1.13
Physical Activity: 83
Healthy City Score: 54.66
Access to Exercise: 97
Walk Score: 47
Total Fit Score: 78.932

Population: 174,858
Gyms Per 10K Residents: 1.02
Physical Activity: 84
Healthy City Score: 51.23
Access to Exercise: 99
Walk Score: 61
Total Fit Score: 79.446

Population: 188,966
Gyms Per 10K Residents: 1.27
Physical Activity: 83
Healthy City Score: 55.76
Access to Exercise: 99
Walk Score: 35
Total Fit Score: 79.952

Population: 200,652
Gyms Per 10K Residents: 1.02
Physical Activity: 82
Healthy City Score: 63.23
Access to Exercise: 98
Walk Score: 55
Total Fit Score: 80.046

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Population: 693,060
Gyms Per 10K Residents: 1
Physical Activity: 88
Healthy City Score: 57.65
Access to Exercise: 100
Walk Score: 61
Total Fit Score: 81.33

While you're in Denver, check out Hotel Teatro, one of Anthony Bourdain's 12 favorite boutique hotels in the country.

Population: 1,025,350
Gyms Per 10K Residents: 1.2
Physical Activity: 85
Healthy City Score: 53.78
Access to Exercise: 98
Walk Score: 51
Total Fit Score: 81.556

Population: 413,651
Gyms Per 10K Residents: 1.2
Physical Activity: 84
Healthy City Score: 58.19
Access to Exercise: 99
Walk Score: 69
Total Fit Score: 86.038

Population: 639,863
Gyms Per 10K Residents: 1.2
Physical Activity: 87
Healthy City Score: 65.16
Access to Exercise: 99
Walk Score: 65
Total Fit Score: 87.232

And if you find yourself in outdoorsy Portland, be sure you're donning the most rugged, versatile outdoors blazer you can buy.

Population: 681,170
Gyms Per 10K Residents: 1.2
Physical Activity: 83
Healthy City Score: 60.24
Access to Exercise: 100
Walk Score: 77
Total Fit Score: 88.048

Speaking of Washington, brush up on the 45 times it was "the beginning of the end" for Donald Trump.

Population: 420,005
Gyms Per 10K Residents: 1.38
Physical Activity: 82
Healthy City Score: 54.41
Access to Exercise: 96
Walk Score: 72
Total Fit Score: 88.482

Population: 704,352
Gyms Per 10K Residents: 1.2
Physical Activity: 86
Healthy City Score: 67.08
Access to Exercise: 98
Walk Score: 73
Total Fit Score: 88.816

Population: 108,090
Gyms Per 10K Residents: 2
Physical Activity: 91
Healthy City Score: N/A
Access to Exercise: 98
Walk Score: 58
Total Fit Score: 89.4

Population: 252, 551
Gyms Per 10K Residents: 1.7
Physical Activity: 84
Healthy City Score: 56.99
Access to Exercise: 95
Walk Score: 49
Total Fit Score: 90.998

Population: 864,816
Gyms Per 10K Residents: 1.2
Physical Activity: 84
Healthy City Score: 68.06
Access to Exercise: 100
Walk Score: 86
Total Fit Score: 91.612

Population: 673,184
Gyms Per 10K Residents: 1.8
Physical Activity: 82
Healthy City Score: 54.06
Access to Exercise: 100
Walk Score: 81
Total Fit Score: 97.06

And now, check out the 100 ways to be a healthier person right now.

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