America's fittest and healthiest cities revealed in 2026

Key Points:

• The ACSM American Fitness Index ranks the nation's 100 largest cities on personal and community health, with Arlington, Virginia, named the fittest city for the ninth consecutive year, followed by Washington, DC, Minneapolis, Seattle, and Denver.
• Cities that rank high promote physical activity through access to parks, trails, public transportation, and environmental quality, resulting in lower obesity and chronic disease rates, while lower-ranking cities face barriers to such resources.
• Food insecurity worsened in all but one city (Santa Ana, CA), rising from 12.9% in 2025 to 14.4% in 2026, influenced by rising grocery prices and reduced eligibility and funding for SNAP due to 2025 federal policy changes.
• Air quality and asthma rates vary significantly among cities, affecting outdoor physical activity; those with respiratory conditions are advised to monitor air quality and adjust exercise routines accordingly to maintain health.
• Richmond, VA, made the largest improvement in the rankings, moving up 20 spots to 20th place, with other notable gains by Charlotte, Virginia Beach, and Durham, highlighting the potential for cities to improve community health through targeted efforts.