Each year, the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) releases its Fittest U.S. Cities Report—a comprehensive look at how well major metropolitan areas support healthier, more active lifestyles. In 2025, cities like Arlington, Virginia; Washington, D.C.; San Francisco; Seattle; and Denver once again rose to the top. But beyond the rankings themselves, the report highlights key themes about what makes a city truly fitness-friendly—and where many communities can continue to improve.
What the Top Cities Get Right
Across the board, the highest-ranked cities prioritize walkability, green space, and accessible recreation. Their residents benefit from well-connected bike lanes, maintained parks, community fitness programs, and built environments that encourage daily movement. These cities also have strong participation in both aerobic and strength-training exercise, a combination linked with better long-term health, lower chronic disease risk, and improved longevity.
The message is clear: when cities make regular movement easy and enjoyable, people move more.
National Trends: Momentum and Missed Opportunities
The ACSM report notes progress nationwide. In 2025, 64 cities increased per-resident park funding, fueling upgrades to trails, playgrounds, sports facilities, and outdoor fitness zones. Many communities also expanded safe cycling routes and introduced inclusive, low-cost recreation programs.
Yet there’s still room for improvement. While aerobic activity is trending upward nationally, strength-training participation remains well below recommended levels in many regions. This is significant—muscle mass protects joint health, supports balance, and becomes increasingly important with age. Even two short resistance-training sessions per week can provide measurable benefits.
Where Chicago Fits In: A Personal View
Having lived and established my practice in Chicago, I see firsthand how the city’s layout encourages activity. From the 18-mile Lakefront Trail to hundreds of neighborhood parks and bike paths, our environment makes it easy to stay active—if you take advantage of it.
Even on winter mornings when the wind off Lake Michigan makes you question your life choices, the sight of joggers and cyclists braving the cold is proof of the city’s strong fitness culture. That dedication shows up in the data, too—Chicago residents continue to rank above average in aerobic activity, and our city’s investment in trails, parks, and recreation continues to rise. Strength-training participation is one area where Chicago can improve, but with the Chicago Park District expanding strength and circuit programs, momentum is headed in the right direction.
Final Thoughts
ACSM’s latest report reinforces a simple truth: cities thrive when their residents move. Whether you’re in Chicago or anywhere else, the best health outcomes come from using the spaces around you—parks, sidewalks, trails, community centers—and building a routine that blends aerobic and strength exercise. The fitter our cities become, the healthier we all will be.
Reference
American College of Sports Medicine. ACSM American Fitness Index® 2025: Rankings of America’s Fittest Cities. ACSM; 2025. Available at: https://acsm.org/fittest-us-cities-2025/
