If you want to exercise more in 2026, your city’s infrastructure, climate, and community support could make all the difference.
Starting a new year often comes with renewed commitment to health goals. Millions of Americans resolve to exercise more and lose weight, making it their top priorities for 2026.
However, achieving these goals becomes significantly easier when you live in a city that actively supports physical activity through infrastructure, facilities, and community resources.
A comprehensive new analysis by Wallethub reveals which U.S. cities provide the best environment for maintaining an active lifestyle. The research examined 100 major cities across the country, evaluating factors ranging from fitness club fees and sports facility availability to walkability scores and outdoor recreation opportunities. The findings show dramatic differences between cities that champion active living and those that present substantial barriers to physical fitness.
Top cities offering the best conditions for active lifestyles
The latest rankings identify five cities leading the nation in supporting physically active populations:
1. Honolulu, Hawaii
The Hawaiian capital claims the top position, excelling particularly in promoting community sports with exceptional numbers of baseball fields, skate parks, volleyball courts, and tennis courts per capita. Its natural island setting creates ideal conditions for outdoor recreation, with unparalleled access to swimming, surfing, and the highest concentration of hiking trails among all cities studied. Honolulu maintains a bike-sharing program and ranks sixth nationally for residents who commute by walking or biking, while superior air quality ranks third in the nation.
2. New York, New York
The city's exceptional walkability ranks second nationally, while its extensive public transportation system enables residents to incorporate physical activity into daily commutes. New York offers abundant organized recreation options, leading in availability of dance schools, swimming lessons, bike rentals, basketball courts, soccer fields, and ice rinks. The city also boasts the second-most playgrounds per capita, supporting active habits from childhood.
3. San Francisco, California
San Francisco achieves 100% resident access to physical activity opportunities within reasonable distance. The city combines big-city amenities with exceptional outdoor access, including numerous hiking trails and proximity to the bay. Its status as the most walkable city in America, combined with a robust bike-sharing program and the 15th-best air quality nationwide, creates ideal conditions for residents seeking active lifestyles.
4. Chicago, Illinois
The Windy City secures fourth place with strong performance across multiple categories, particularly in community sports infrastructure and recreational facility availability. Chicago ties for first place nationally in swimming pools per capita and offers extensive basketball courts, playgrounds, and organized sports opportunities. The city's lakefront location provides miles of beaches and trails along Lake Michigan, while its comprehensive park system ensures residents throughout the metropolitan area have access to green spaces and athletic facilities. Despite challenging winter weather, Chicago maintains robust indoor recreation options that keep residents active year-round.
5. Los Angeles, California
Rounding out the top five, Los Angeles combines diverse recreation facilities with extensive outdoor opportunities that leverage its favorable climate and geographic advantages. The sprawling metropolis provides year-round access to beaches, hiking trails in nearby mountains, and countless parks throughout its neighborhoods. Los Angeles ranks among the top cities for sports facility availability, offering residents abundant options for organized athletics and individual fitness pursuits. The city's mild weather eliminates seasonal barriers to outdoor exercise, allowing residents to maintain consistent activity levels throughout the year. Proximity to both ocean and mountain environments enables everything from surfing and beach volleyball to hiking and rock climbing within short distances.
Southern cities struggle with physical activity infrastructure
The research reveals striking disparities between regions. While coastal and northern cities dominate the upper rankings, several Texas cities appear near the bottom of the list. Garland, Irving, and Fort Wayne occupy the three lowest positions, facing challenges including limited sports facilities per capita, poor walkability scores, and inadequate public recreation infrastructure.
The study measured cities across 35 distinct indicators, examining both budget considerations and participation rates alongside sports and outdoor recreation opportunities. Monthly fitness club fees vary dramatically by location, with some cities charging more than 13 times what others charge for comparable memberships. Access to basic amenities like swimming pools, basketball courts, and tennis courts shows equally significant variation, with top-ranked cities offering up to 50 times more facilities per resident than bottom-ranked cities.
Financial and infrastructure barriers impact resident health outcomes
The analysis reveals meaningful correlations between city infrastructure and resident behavior. Cities with higher walkability scores, more accessible parks, and greater sports facility density tend to have lower percentages of physically inactive adults.
Conversely, cities lacking sidewalks, bike lanes, and neighborhood recreational facilities face higher rates of sedentary lifestyles among residents.
Cost presents another significant barrier in many locations. Cities with expensive fitness club memberships and limited free public recreation options make maintaining an active lifestyle financially challenging for many residents. The most affordable cities enable residents to pursue fitness goals without substantial monthly expenses, while the most expensive locations require significant financial commitment.
Geographic and climate factors also play substantial roles. Cities near oceans or major lakes provide additional recreational opportunities through water sports and beach activities. Weather patterns influence outdoor exercise throughout the year, with some cities offering favorable conditions year-round while others face seasonal limitations. Air quality affects outdoor activity comfort and safety, particularly for residents with respiratory sensitivities.
The research underscores how city planning, public investment, and geographic advantages combine to create environments that either support or hinder active lifestyles. For residents prioritizing physical fitness, these findings suggest that location significantly impacts the ease of maintaining healthy habits throughout the year.
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