Gyms and other public spaces have been shut off for the most part since last year due to the pandemic, hence affecting the health and fitness of most Americans. However, the city of Arlington in Virginia has been ranked as America‘s fittest city for the fourth year in a row by a recent study. It was followed by Minneapolis, Seattle, Denver, and Madison. 

The annual ranking of the fittest US cities was released last Tuesday by The American College of Sports Medicine and the Anthem Foundation, which ranks the 100 most populous cities as per 34 variables, including health behaviours, air quality, walkability and more. It also ascertains the strengths and weaknesses of a community in promoting a healthy living culture.

According to the report, fitness among Americans largely depends on geography. Those that lived in areas lush with trails, parks, and walkways were more likely to keep from obesity and high blood pressure and remain fitter.

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Communities with safe and open spaces where people could exercise, walk, bike or play ball fared better and stayed active during the pandemic, said Stella L. Volpe, chairperson of the American Fitness Index advisory board, in a statement.

“Even in the lockdown, when people felt safe or could do so, physical activity increased a bit,” Volpe said. “People were going out and walking with their families and being safe with distancing,” she added.

Arlington has been reported to observe 86% of its adults exercising. The report further found out that most Americans did not meet the daily 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of intense exercise regime set recommendation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

According to the report, 1 in every 3 adults in America’s bigger cities is obese, with 14% falling under the smoker’s category. To make matters worse, only fewer than 1 in every 4 adults have been in the habit of exercising for the past one month.