Deciding to exercise is one thing, it’s another to put those thoughts into practice. This is especially true if you live in a city with few sidewalks, parks, and recreational facilities. Some places are better suited to regular travel than others; in a recent report, the personal finance website WalletHub named the best cities for people looking to get (or stay) active.
To determine this ranking, WalletHub looked at 100 of the most populous U.S. cities and compared them across the “Budget & Participation” and “Sports & Outdoors” categories. The experts analyzed the two dimensions using 35 weighted measurements. The budget and participation included criteria such as the average monthly fees of the city’s fitness clubs and sports clubs per capita. Meanwhile, Sports & Outdoors included metrics like bikeability and walkability scores.
Each parameter was then rated on a 100-point scale, with 100 being the ideal level for active residents. Next, WalletHub calculated each city’s weighted average across the 35 metrics and determined their “active lifestyle scores.” The final scores were then ranked in the list below.
The study shows that Honolulu is the best place to live an active lifestyle. The Hawaiian capital’s wide range of community sports areas, such as baseball diamonds, skate parks and volleyball courts, helped propel it to the top of the list. Plus, Honolulu’s easy access to the ocean makes it a great place for water sports. On top of that, the city’s bike share program, parks, and numerous hiking trails make it easy to get into an exercise routine.
New York City comes in second, primarily due to its walkability. It’s the second most walkable city in the United States (after San Francisco), so it’s easier for people to stay active on a daily basis. The city also has many recreational facilities like dance schools, swimming pools and basketball courts.
San Francisco is third on the list of places that promote physical activity. In addition to being the most walkable city in the United States, according to WalletHub, it has an impressive network of hiking trails. California seems to be the ideal place for people with active lifestyles, with Los Angeles and San Diego also making the top 10. The Golden State is also a hotspot for thrifty and ranks first on our list of best states for campers.
The top 10 cities for physical activity include:
- Honolulu, Hawaii
- New York City
- San Francisco
- Las Vegas
- Chicago
- Los Angeles
- Denver
- San Diego, California
- Philadelphia
- Cincinnati, Ohio
You can find the full list and read more details on WalletHub. website.
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