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America’s fittest city is Arlington, VA for the fourth straight year, study finds

The American College of Sports Medicine has ranked Arlington, Virginia, as the fittest city in the U.S. for the fourth year in a row.

Arlington landed a score of 86.1 out of 100. Minneapolis and Seattle secured second and third place, respectively, in the 2021 Fitness Index released Tuesday. The index uses 34 health measures to evaluate the nation’s 100 largest cities. “We congratulate Arlington, Virginia, for being named America’s Fittest City for the fourth consecutive year,” said Shantanu Agrawal, chief health officer for health insurer Anthem Inc., which sponsored the fitness index. “Arlington’s longstanding commitment to being a fit city serves as a model for all communities in the U.S.”

Americans were shut out of gyms and other indoor exercise venues much of last year as COVID-19 raged and leaders locked down group gatherings. The annual ranking of the fittest U.S. cities released Tuesday shows Americans’ options to stay physically fit during the pandemic hinged on geography. Those who lived in communities with walkable neighborhoods, trails and bike paths had more ways to stay active and stave off high blood pressure, obesity or heart disease.

Oklahoma City’s fitness ranked last among the nation’s 100 most populous cities. Also in the bottom 5: Tulsa, North Las Vegas, Indianapolis and Wichita, Kansas. The report found most Americans didn’t meet CDC recommendations of 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity, as well as muscle strengthening twice each week.

ARTICLE: PAUL MURDOCH

MANAGING EDITOR: CARSON CHOATE
PHOTO CREDITS: ARLNOW.COM

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Paul, 37, is from Scotland in the UK, but currently lives and works in Bangkok. Paul has worked in different industries such as telemarketing, retail, hospitality, farming, insurance, and teaching, where he works now. He teaches at an all-girls High School in Bangkok. “It’s a lot of work, but I love my job.” Paul has an active interest in politics. His reason for writing for FBA is to offer people the facts and allow them to make up their own minds. Whilst he believes opinion columns have their place, it is also important that people can have accurate news with no bias.

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