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.
50 | Peoria, IL
ShutterstockPopulation: 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.
49 | Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Kit Leong / ShutterstockPopulation: 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.
48 | Tallahassee, FL
ShutterstockPopulation: 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.
47 | Spokane, WA
ShutterstockPopulation: 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.
46 | Santa Clarita, CA
ShutterstockPopulation: 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.
45 | Gilbert, AZ
ShutterstockPopulation: 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.
44 | Springfield, MO
ShutterstockPopulation: 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.
43 | Chandler, AZ
ShutterstockPopulation: 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.
42 | Fremont, CA
ShutterstockPopulation: 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.
41 | Honolulu, HI
ShutterstockPopulation: 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.
40 | St. Louis, MO
ShutterstockPopulation: 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.
39 | Scottsdale, AZ
ShutterstockPopulation: 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.
38 | Boise, ID
ShutterstockPopulation: 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.
37 | Tampa, FL
ShutterstockPopulation: 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.
36 | Reno, NV
ShutterstockPopulation: 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.
35 | Salt Lake City, UT
ShutterstockPopulation: 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.
34 | Long Beach, CA
ShutterstockPopulation: 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.
33 | Lincoln, NE
ShutterstockPopulation: 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.
32 | Glendale, CA
ShutterstockPopulation: 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.
31 | Orlando, FL
ShutterstockPopulation: 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.
30 | Pittsburgh, PA
ShutterstockPopulation: 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.
29 | Tempe, AZ
ShutterstockPopulation: 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
28 | Napa, CA
ShutterstockPopulation: 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.
27 | Atlanta, GA
ShutterstockPopulation: 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.
26 | Vancouver, WA
ShutterstockPopulation: 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
25 | Austin, TX
ShutterstockPopulation: 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.
24 | San Diego, CA
ShutterstockPopulation: 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.
23 | Santa Cruz, CA
ShutterstockPopulation: 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
22 | Miami, FL
ShutterstockPopulation: 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.
21 | Virginia Beach, VA
ShutterstockPopulation: 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
20 | Raleigh, NC
ShutterstockPopulation: 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
19 | Chapel Hill, NC
ShutterstockPopulation: 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
18 | Fort Lauderdale, FL
ShutterstockPopulation: 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.
17 | Santa Rosa, CA
ShutterstockPopulation: 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
16 | Irvine, CA
ShutterstockPopulation: 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.
15 | Sacramento, CA
ShutterstockPopulation: 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
14 | Garden Grove, CA
ShutterstockPopulation: 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
13 | Overland Park, KS
ShutterstockPopulation: 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
12 | Huntington Beach, CA
ShutterstockPopulation: 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
11 | Denver, CO
ShutterstockPopulation: 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.
10 | San Jose, CA
ShutterstockPopulation: 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
9 | Minneapolis, MN
ShutterstockPopulation: 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
8 | Portland, OR
ShutterstockPopulation: 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.
7 | Washington, DC
ShutterstockPopulation: 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.
6 | Oakland, CA
ShutterstockPopulation: 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
5 | Seattle, WA
ShutterstockPopulation: 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
4 | Boulder, CO
ShutterstockPopulation: 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
3 | Madison, WI
ShutterstockPopulation: 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
2 | San Francisco, CA
ShutterstockPopulation: 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
1 | Boston, MA
ShutterstockPopulation: 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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