Madison, Wisconsin has earned the title of the 5th fittest city in America, according to the American College of Sports Medicine’s (ACSM) American Fitness Index.
This is the 17th edition of the index, which evaluates cities based on 33 indicators, ranging from park accessibility to personal health metrics. Dr. Stella Volpe, ACSM President, highlighted that the index not only reflects what cities are doing well but also where improvements can be made, according to Channel 3000.
Madison climbed from 6th place last year to 5th this year, partly due to its extensive park system—10.6 parks per 10,000 residents—and high air quality index of 82.2%.
Caption: Madison, Wisconsin has bike lanes all over the city, helping it score high on the American Fitness Index.
The city’s residents are notably active, with increased park usage since the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Volpe notes a growing awareness of mental health issues, which is encouraging despite the rising number of reported cases.
Local feedback indicates room for improvement, such as adding elevated bike paths and more pickleball courts. Nonetheless, residents like Grace McCarthy and Justin Schmitz appreciate Madison’s outdoor amenities and active lifestyle options.
Cities in the Index:
- Arlington, VA
- Washington, D.C.
- Seattle, WA
- San Francisco, CA
- Madison, WI
- Minneapolis, MN
- Denver, CO
- Atlanta, GA
- Irvine, CA
- St. Paul, MN
