After three mornings in a row of waking up before 4:30 a.m., I jumped at the chance to sleep in a little bit today. Since I didn’t have to meet with my first client until 7:30 a.m., I slept as long as I could before my alarm woke me up at 6:45 a.m.
With minimal time available for dilly-dallying, I ate a ridiculously fast breakfast of cottage cheese and almonds before hurrying off to the gym and eating a peach in the car.
The client I trained first today is actually the first client who signed up to train with me after I started working at the gym. She was about to cancel her gym membership and now she has come so far. It’s so great to hear her talk about her progress, both on the scale and off with such enthusiasm. She has made some great progress and I am so proud of her dedication and strength.
Once our training session was done, I completed my own quick 20 minute cardio session before my next client arrived.
Most Active Cities in the United States
During my brief cardio workout today, I flipped through the pages of Men’s Health magazine and stumbled upon a short article about the most active and least active cities in the United States. They ranked popular cities from one to 100 in order from the most physically active to the least active.
Most Active:
1. Portland, OR
2. Boise, ID
3. Salt Lake City, UT
4. Minneapolis, MN
5. St. Paul, MN
6. Denver, CO
7. Seattle, WA
8. Madison, WI
9. Oakland, CA
10. Aurora, CO
Least Active:
91. Little Rock, AR
92. Corpus Christi, TX
93. New Orleans, LA
94. Memphis, TN
95. Lexington, KY
96. Birmingham, AL
97. Columbia, SC
98. Nashville, TN
99. Charleston, WV
100. Jackson, MS
You can see the full list here.
I find rankings like this oddly interesting and take them with a grain of salt, but the article got me thinking about the places I’ve lived and how active they seemed to me.
Orlando, which ranks 76th on the Men’s Health list, always felt like a very active place. When I lived there, I always saw people out running, walking, swimming and biking. There were running races or triathlons nearly every weekend. Our gym was always hoppin’. The path around Lake Eola in downtown Orlando was always packed with joggers and people walking their dogs. (Remember the hula hoop lady!?)
Our new hometown of Ocala feels like the polar opposite. Of course there are active people in Marion County, but I don’t see nearly as many people running or biking around town. There are running clubs and races, but much less, though I suppose that is to be expected when the town is significantly smaller. When I talk about this with other Ocala residents, the general feeling seems to be that Ocala is very laid back and there isn’t a huge emphasis on exercise (or healthy eating) within the community. An article I read yesterday stated that 32 percent of Marion County residents are obese (compared with 25 percent nationally) and 28 percent of Marion County residents do not exercise (compared with 21 percent nationally). I would love to one day live in a very active city, close to the mountains. My dream!
Question of the Morning
- Do you consider the city or town you live in an active place?
- Did your hometown make the list for most active or least active city in the United States? Do you agree with its ranking?
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Way to go Madison, WI! # 7 most ACTIVE! I couldn’t agree more, I live in Madison and it is a very busy place due to the university. It is almost easier to get places by walking or biking than it is by car. I walk everywhere, I have used a bike before, and I run in madison all the time. There are lots of events in Madison too, from 5ks, 1/2 marathons. marathons, and iron man. My only caution when coming to madison is too watch out for bicyclists, sometimes madison is too active if that is possible and you can get run down by a bike.. I am speaking from personal experience, not pleasant stuff haha
What’s interesting to me about this list is that all of the most active cities are Northern states, whereas the least active ones seem to be in the South (at least by how I’d define north/south).
I definitely think that Minneapolis and St. Paul are active places – a lot of people bike and walk to work, there are designated bike paths on almost every road, the lakes are always hoppin’ with runners, rollerbladers, etc. I love living in such an active area!
Bahaha 91 and 98. I currently live in Little Rock, but grew up in Nashville. Way to go, South!
I always feel like NJ has a pretty active community so I’m surprised thats not in the top at all.
I am from Minneapolis and currently live in lexington, both on opposite sides of the list. There is a significant difference in the amount of people I see out exercising here now.
If you want a very active city close to the mountains, move to Bend, Oregon. It’s probably a little on the small side to make a list like that… but moving from Bend to Portland, Bend is definitely the more active city.
I agree! We live in Eugene, and Portland being most active surprised me. Bend seems waay more active to me! Such a great town
You would love Brevard, NC or Asheville, NC. I recently spent a month in North Carolina and loved every minute of it. Lots of hiking, running, and mountain biking!
Seattle ranked #7, which seems to be pretty good! I would agree that Seattle is pretty active, you are constantly seeing people biking or walking to work. I walk to the bus almost everyday. If I could ride to work I would, but that would take quite sometime…its about 20 minutes and not flat.
I live in Edwards, CO, which is a super-active mountain town right down the road from Vail. After getting used to the active lifestyle here I couldn’t imagine living another way. The only possible “negative” is all the ridiculously active people here that can make me feel lazy even when I shouldn’t – like when I spend all day skiing in the winter, then talk to a friend who woke up early, skinned up the mountain, skied for a few hours, then went snowshoeing. There are crazy people around here and I love it!
I do find it funny on the Men’s Health list that Aurora (#10) is pretty much just an area of Denver (#6) but totally agree that Denver’s an awesomely active city.
Oh yes, I mostly definitely think where I live (Toronto, Canada) is an active city. Lots of runners, lots of cyclists, and I have no shortage of workout buddies to hit the gym with.
Oh shoot! I’m in Memphis! Oh well, I finally got off my lazy behind & joined a gym & absolutely love it! The people I’ve met have been wonderful & keep me moving even when I want to run far, far away from the evil Tabata workout. Ouch! 🙂
Interesting that the top 10 least active are in the south. I currently live in Panama City, Fl (from VA) and I definately not classify the area as acive. I do see people running. myself included and many people I work with, but it’s not as active as I would like. I would love to live in CA or heck even Atlanta just for thier healthy eating options! Not much room for those in this part of FL :s
Hollah for Salt Lake City! I knew we’d be up there. 🙂 BYU has a long and storied running program–the women were national champions several years in a row. And of course we’ve got it all here–hiking, biking, skiing, snow shoeing, you name it. The mountains are right near the city too.
Yes! I’m from SLC, UT and I knew we’d be at the top of the list too! 😉 We may not have a super happening night life but we have tons to do outside, if that is your thing 😀
It’s active when the sunshines! In fairness their are avid cyclists, runners and walkers to be seen along the coast all year round really. I was on holiday in Vancouver a few years back and it seemed incredibly active…dream city!
I live in jacksonville and although there are a lot of active people I can tell there are many more who are not! My husband and I talk all the time about moving to Denver so our kids can grow up in a more active community!
Sleeping in is the best! I wouldn’t consider my city very active. I live in a rural area and everyone is pretty laid back. I would love to live in a bigger city to try out that way of life.
I’m from the Twin Cities and completely agree with having 2 cities in the top 5 of Most Active. It is a fantastic place to live. The multiple seasons make for many different activities. No matter how cold or how much snow you will always see bikers and runners!
I live in a very small town that I would say for the most part is probably unactive and there’s VERY little emphasis on exercising or eating well, however, when I do actually go to the park to run or drive past gyms during the day, they are crawling with people. Maybe we’re making a change for the better!
Woohoo – Minneapolis and St. Paul are #4 and #5!! I live in downtown Minneapolis and couldn’t agree more with its activity level! People are ALWAYS outside running, biking or walking regardless of the temperature. I love being in a city that prides itself on being active and makes it easy to get outside and get moving 🙂
Yeah for Portland! I’m not suprised to see it at the top of the list. There are so many things to do, and the weather doesn’s stop us… rain or shine (mostly rain). I commute to work by bike year round (20miles round trip). And my gsp makes sure I run outside year round too 🙂
I find it very interesting the active cities are in cooler climate areas. And the less active cities are mostly scorching hot areas. When I lived in Houston, I could barely run 3 miles without dying of a heat stroke. Now that I live in a cooler climate, I can run for hours!
Move to Denver! It’s exactly what you describe! I love living in Denver. There is so much to do! No humidity is always a plus as well! 🙂
I love active cities too. It would be amazing not to have to drive to go to work and the grocery store. I live in a college town so it feels very active. I love the sounds of your job!
Funny, I’ve always thought that living in Portland would be fun! This helps confirm it. It would be interesting to see the Canadian rankings; I live in Toronto which I’m sure is one of the tops!
I’m always a little surprised when NYC doesn’t make this list, because being active is built into our daily commute and the parks are always overflowing with joggers, rollerbladers and bicyclists. When I moved from NYC to Denver several years ago, I gained 10 pounds immediately just because walking wasn’t built into my daily routine.
Aw man my area didnt make most active for sure but at least we werent in the least! haha
I am right with you Julie! I think these types of articles are very interesting. I grew up in Denver, CO and am now living about an hour and a half away from Salt Lake City, UT. I loved seeing these two cities on the list. I feel like there is an endless array of active things to do in both cities and there are always people out running, biking, basically doing anything active. It is so good to see!
Representing Salt Lake City, UT!! Woot woot!! I’m not surprised that we’re in the top 5. There is just way too much to do here for people NOT to be active! There’s something for everyone!
I am so surprised New York is number 58! We have to walk EVERYWHERE, because it’s too crowded to drive a car. At least I always get my workout in :p
Julie! I live in Aurora, CO (huge suburb of Denver) so #10! The whole front range is pretty active. Thousands of miles of greenbelts all over. Mountain/canyon roads with hundreds of cyclists on any given day. It’s awesome!
Move to Denver! We could run/ride bike/race together! Ha! Is that weird?! We’re in the same age group.
I know my hometown right outside of Washington DC consistently ranks one of the healthiest cities for women! I live in Santa Monica now and California in general is one of the most active places ever!
the hula hoop lady?! i’ll have to read about her. how about the lady who’s been featured lately for “prancercise”?! i think she’s in florida!
Yay, Twin Cities! I totally believe it! I moved from a smaller city in Iowa here a couple years ago and I see people out and about biking, running, roller blading, kayaking, you name it! Even in the blistering cold winter!
I live in Louisville, KY, #78. I think Louisville is a pretty active city but I also see many obese people too.
Yay, Seattle! #7! We’re definitely an active city. So much to do outdoors!
I live in Albuquerque and was surprised to find it at number 38…people are always cycling, running, hiking, etc! I am from Tulsa, OK and I can’t say I was surprised at their placement on the list either! Exercise and healthy eating does not seem to be top priority there for most people.
I live in Seattle and it’s very active. There’s a lot more to a city being active than people being out walking/running or gym memberships. In Seattle you’re minutes away from a hike or a kayak or a paddleboard or on and on – it’s SO easy and addictive to be active outside. Cities that give its residents that ease are certainly going to be more active.
SF is usually somewhere on that list near the top – I love living here, it’s SO active. Mornings, evenings and weekends the running paths along the Embarcadero, Chrissy Field, the GG Bridge, and GG Park are absolutely PACKED with runners. Race weekends are like SF holidays. The whole city comes out to watch the Escape from Alcatraz Tri. It’s so much fun!
If you asked that question a few years ago, I would’ve said no, but since races have been becoming so popular, and different fitness apps are becoming popular, I’m noticing more and more people around town being active, checking their progress and enjoying the nice weather (seriously, it’s June and still in the 70’s. I will TAKE it!).
Wow, I feel so fortunate to have lived in the most active city and grown up in the #2 most active city. I now live outside of Atlanta and definitely miss the NW.
Hm. I live in Nashville and it’s number 98! I definitely disagree. With the marathon here every spring and so many fitness opportunities, I don’t know how it was ranked so low1
I moved from Orlando, FL (incredibly active city!) to small town Mississippi (about an hour from Jackson, the LEAST healthy city). It has been a huge shock for me fitness wise. I am VERY limited to resources. I LOVE to exercise but I can see why (small town)Mississippi is so unhealthy. No walking, running, or biking paths, small gyms with only a few options for group exercise, no pools, awful sidewalks, limited healthy food options (both grocery store and eating out), and the list goes on. This is a HUGE PROBLEM! I started my own blog to rant about this and hopefully encourage others with limited resources like myself to make do and try their best to get healthy with the limited options available.
What an interesting list! I live a very inactive town right now, I hope Omaha will be more active than Williamsport!
I live in Littleton, CO. Just south of Denver. There seems to be so many events all around town, people ride their bikes to the bus stop then the bike gets a ride too! There are bike stations downtown where you can pay to ride a bike to the next station do whatever and then get another bike to ride to a different location. It really is an active city and I see why it made it to the top of the list. Love reading your blog, can’t wait to get home everyday to see what happened in your day
great. we live in minneapolis and moved here from portland. i’d say we live in active places.
We just left Ocala for Denver and even after only a couple of weeks I am blown away by how much more active it is here, even compared to downtown Orlando. People bike EVERYWHERE, and it seems like there is always some sort of event going on — plus, you know. Mountains. I can’t wait until we are finished house hunting and can really start exploring!
Omaha, NE did not make it on the list and based on the patients I take care of at the hospital I am NOT surprised 😉 yeah we have a lot of gyms and I see people running a lot outside but I think that it also has to do with the weather since we are limited to a few months that are “jogging” weather appropriate. Also when I moved from Northwest Iowa to Omaha I noticed a lot more people smoking (ick) So even though we aren’t active, we still have plenty of places for people to go if they want to become active.
Way to go Boise!!!
I am currently living in Oslo Norway and would have to give the locals here credit for their commitment to exercise! They don’t let the frigid temperatures interrupt their exercise routines; people are ALWAYS running… a lot of them running/biking to and from work which is efficient! There’s a common saying here in Norway: There’s no such thing as bad weather but only bad clothing! I think that pretty much sums up the dedication these norwegians have. Many jokingly claim the Norway is prepared for a zombie apocalypse!
Anyways, Im a big fan of your blog all the way over here in Oslo! 🙂
I live in a suburb of Boston – I’m surprised Boston isn’t higher though… I walk there often (with my dog he loves the smells of the city for walking, for running we run in the woods) and there’s always a million people walking or running or biking or roller blading. But my dream is to live in Lincoln NH (white mountains) and just ditch the car all together and walk or bike everywhere