Best Cities for an Active Lifestyle

According to a recent study by WalletHub, Honolulu, Hawaii is the top location for Americans who prefer an active lifestyle. San Francisco, California, New York, New York, Chicago, Illinois, and Las Vegas, Nevada rounded out the list’s top five cities.

Many Americans want to undertake fitness-related New Year’s resolutions in 2023, as indicated by this rating. When asked about their intentions for the new year, 80 percent of goal-setters highlighted personal health or fitness objectives, according to a recent Gallup study.

In addition to financial enhancements, personal health enhancements were among the most frequently reported resolutions, according to survey data.

However, environmental obstacles, such as a lack of access to parks or sidewalks, may prevent some people from adopting a more active lifestyle.

Researchers from WalletHub analyzed the 100 largest cities in the United States and ranked them based on 36 different indicators, such as average monthly fitness club costs and percentages of physically inactive persons.

There were two kinds of factors: budget and involvement, and sports and the outdoors. With an aggregate score of 62 out of 100, Honolulu placed first in the sports and outdoor activities category.

In addition to intramural leagues per capita and the average cost of sports clothing, additional indicators included sports fields, hiking trails, and bike rental facilities per capita.

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Cincinnati, Ohio; San Diego, California; Madison, Wisconsin; Denver, Colorado; and Atlanta, Georgia, respectively, comprised the second half of the top ten greatest cities for an active lifestyle.

North Las Vegas, Nevada rated last in comparison. Garland, Texas, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and Irving, Texas rounded out the bottom five.

Seattle, Washington and Scottsdale, Arizona had the lowest percentage of adults who were physically inactive. Scottsdale has the most fitness facilities per capita and was equal with Gilbert and Glendale for the most public golf courses per capita in Arizona.

A physically active lifestyle has been associated with several mental and physical health advantages.

Physical activity can improve cognitive performance and brain health, as well as reduce the likelihood of anxiety and sadness. It has also been linked to better sleep and general quality of life, while outdoor activity can boost emotions of enjoyment.

According to the CDC, physical activity can also aid with weight management, strengthen bones and muscles, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes, and some malignancies.

Steven K. Malin told WalletHub that cities may assist encourage active lives by constructing more walkways and bike lanes. Malin is an associate professor in the department of kinesiology and health at Rutgers University’s school of arts and sciences. He said that, to encourage safety, these changes should be accompanied by signage emphasizing the significance of sharing the road.

Malin recommends standing and walking for one to five minutes each hour during the workday for people who wish to incorporate more physical exercise into their lives on a budget.

1 to 5 minutes per hour of bodyweight exercises such as body squats, jumping jacks, lunges, push-ups, or planks would be consistent with low-cost activities, he added.

This might go a long way toward lowering blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels, as well as enhancing cognitive function throughout the day and mental health.