Top 7 US States With an Active Fitness Culture

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Most people don’t know this, but where you live has the potential to affect how active and healthy you’ll be. Some cities or states simply provide the right resources that encourage people to move actively and exercise more while others don’t.
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ToggleFor instance, natural or geographical features such as the presence of hiking trails makes it more likely for people to jog or take walks. Similarly, man-made town-planning features like nature parks and open spaces encourage physical activity as well. People who live in cities with these features are more likely to form highly engaged communities of fitness enthusiasts.
When deciding where to live, affordability is often one of the most important factors. There’s a list at Slotozilla that ranks US states based on the cost of living. If living a healthy, active life is important to you, it makes sense to also consider whether a state offers things like public parks, walkable neighborhoods, fitness centers, and community activities that promote physical wellness.
In this guide, we present a list of the top most active US states with the most engaged fitness communities.
Vermont
Vermont is not only the second smallest US state but also one of the healthiest populations in the country. The state boasts a natural geography that encourages residents to actively pursue fitness activities.
Vermont is filled with mountainous natural parks where people can hike and cycle. Being able to tap into nature’s resources, people are more likely than not to stay active and healthy. Due to this, the people living in this state engage in individual as well as group fitness activities. Statistics show that up to 65.3% of adults living in Vermont report exercising for at least 30 minutes, three or more days in a week.
Colorado
Colorado is another US state where fitness and physical exercise is hugely popular. The state boasts some of the highest percentages in the country for physical activity with residents actively participating in snow and mountain activities. Some of the most popular include:
- Skiing
- Snowboarding
- Skating
- Snowmobiling
Colorado has a highly evolved outdoor fitness culture, and the majority of the population is engaged in team sports. There are many fitness clubs and gyms, especially in the state’s two largest cities, Boulder and Denver. With the physical activity level of Colorado residents, it’s no surprise that obesity and diabetes rates in Colorado are significantly lower than the national average.
Montana
Montana is an extremely rural state. It’s no surprise that it has one of the highest percentages of people who work out regularly and form active fitness communities. People in this state are not forced into the sedentary lifestyle that characterizes most conventional urban regions.
Montana also ranks high in states with high gym membership. This points to the reality that there’s a culture within the state that prioritizes fitness and recreation. Though Montana does not have a major league sports team, there are several minor league teams and great involvement in sport at the collegiate and high school levels across the state.
California
The state of California has always had a reputation of being healthy. In fact, 100% of residents in San Francisco, California, live within a 10-minute walk to a park. This is why it isn’t surprising that the state is ranked as one of the fittest in the country. In addition to being exercise buffs, residents in this state also participate actively in sports. Examples of classic sports that are popular in this state include:
- Football
- Basketball
- Soccer
- Water sports (surfing, sailing and water polo)
The state also has the largest number of gyms in the United States (over 5,000 gyms). As of 2019, roughly 30% of residents in this California have an active gym membership, demonstrating just how health conscious Californians are.
Connecticut
The state of Connecticut prioritizes personal fitness activities as well as community-based health initiatives. This goes a long way in promoting the overall health and fitness of residents in the state.
In a way, residents of this state owe their level of fitness and physical activity to the state’s geography, which promotes outdoor sports. There are a lot of great areas for hiking and biking. Residents also play a lot of golf, and practice water sports on the numerous river courses, leading to a generally healthier population compared to other places.
Utah
Many of the people living in Utah prioritize sports and fitness activities, particularly mountain sports such as climbing. This has been attributed to the presence of remarkable climbing spots in the state due to its location in a mountainous region.
In addition to this, Utah residents also participate in home workouts as well as team sports like football and soccer. Beyond being spectators of these sports, residents also love to play actively. Up to 80% of the state’s total population participates in some form of physical activity or the other, making Utah one of the best states to live in if you prioritize physical activity.
Hawaii
Hawaii is one US state that has always been about the outdoor life. One of the most famous holiday destinations in the United States, people visit the Island from all over the world to explore the pristine beaches and participate in various physical activities.
However, in addition to the water sports (which is clearly the main interest of Hawaiians), the Island also has several beautiful trails, perfect for hiking and a long list of other outdoor activities. It is clear that the state’s stunning natural scenery is a major part of the reason why its citizens spend more time outside and are more actively involved in physical activity. Subsequently, Hawaii has one of the lowest obesity rates in the entire country.
As a summary of the points outlined in this article, the following table represents the most favored sport activities in each of the states above.
State | Most Popular Sporting Activities |
Vermont | Hiking and mountain biking |
Colorado | Skiing and snowboarding |
Montana | Hiking and horseback riding |
Connecticut | Basketball, football and golf |
Utah | Skiing, hiking and mountain biking |
Hawaii | Surfing, stand-up paddleboarding and swimming |
California | Surfing, water polo, football |