Seattle Ranked Fourth Fittest City in 2026
The American College of Sports Medicine assessed fitness levels across 100 U.S. cities in its annual report.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Fitness
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Seattle secured the fourth spot in the 2026 fitness rankings released by the American College of Sports Medicine. The index evaluated the 100 largest cities in the United States based on parks, infrastructure, and public health indicators.
Why it matters
Higher-ranked cities typically exhibit lower rates of chronic disease and obesity. These top performers generally provide residents with superior access to recreational spaces and infrastructure that promotes walking and biking.
The index evaluated 100 major U.S. cities using metrics such as park access and recreation infrastructure. Several cities saw significant shifts, including Richmond moving up 20 spots and Orlando dropping 19 places.
The players
American College of Sports Medicine
This organization is a professional association that promotes scientific research and clinical applications in the fields of sports medicine and exercise science.
The details
The rankings are derived from comprehensive assessments of local environmental conditions and health indicators. While some cities like Richmond, Charlotte, and Durham saw double-digit improvements, others including Orlando, Laredo, and Jacksonville experienced double-digit declines in their standings.
Timeline
The American College of Sports Medicine released the 2026 fitness rankings.
Health Landscape
This report highlights the environmental and health infrastructure factors that contribute to achieving the Healthy People 2030 national health objectives. It follows patterns set by national health benchmarks by quantifying how city-level infrastructure correlates with long-term public health outcomes.
Residents in highly ranked cities may experience better health outcomes due to improved access to recreational infrastructure. Understanding these rankings allows individuals to better evaluate how their local environment impacts their daily activity levels and overall health.
The takeaway
Access to parks and bikeable infrastructure serves as a primary driver for city health rankings. Residents can leverage this information to advocate for better recreational investments in their own communities.
Further reading
Learn more about how national indices evaluate community health by visiting the Fitness section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Axios.
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Should your city invest more in parks and bike infrastructure to improve public health?
