Minneapolis Ranks as One of the Fittest Cities in America in 2025

When I think of the fittest cities in America, my brain usually goes straight to sunny spots with beaches and palm trees, not places where winter lasts half the year.

But a new report from the American College of Sports Medicine says otherwise. Their 2025 Fitness Index ranked the 100 largest U.S. cities on how well they support active, healthy living, and one cold-weather Minnesota city muscled its way in the top 10.

The rankings look at 34 different factors in two big areas: personal health and the overall environment. Taking in to account things like exercise habits, smoking rates, mental health, and even access to parks, trails, and bike lanes.

One Minnesota City Now Among the Fittest in America:

Minneapolis landed in the top 10 thanks to its impressive network of trails and bike paths, plus it’s packed with rec centers and a surprising number of ball diamonds.

And let’s be real, it takes a special kind of motivation to hit the gym when your face freezes the second you step outside. Shoveling snow might not be on the official report, but it definitely counts as cardio in my book.

Also See: Farmer's Almanac Unveils Surprising Fall Forecast for Minnesota

Minneapolis has actually been holding strong in the top 10 for several years now. At one point, we even snagged the #2 spot in the entire country. Wild, right?

And it’s not just us, Madison, Wisconsin is also on the list, proving that Midwesterners aren’t just about comfort food and hibernation when the temps drop, though, to be fair, I fully support both!

Here’s the full top 10:

Arlington, Virginia - coming in at number one for the 8th year in a row!
Washington, D.C.
Seattle, Washington
San Francisco, California
Denver, Colorado
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Madison, Wisconsin
Atlanta, Georgia
Sacramento, California
San Diego, California

Whether it’s running around the lakes in summer or snowshoeing through a park in winter, or let’s be real, speed-walking at the mall, Minnesotans are clearly finding ways to stay active all year long.