The Fittest Cities for Men

Family Health, Featured Article, Healthy Living
on September 17, 2012
Boston is one of the fittest cities for men.
Thinkstock Boston
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Santa Fe, New Mexico. This high desert town is ranked second for air quality by the American Lung Association, a beneficial stat for fit-minded males. Break a sweat under the clear blue skies in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, where the Dale Ball Trails provide 20-plus miles of hiking and biking. The La Tierra and Atalayatrails, plus those of the Jemez Mountain National Recreation Areaand Pecos Wildernessgive locals more than 1,000 total miles to play with. For powder fiends, Taos’ 112 ski trails are just 70 miles north.

Burlington, Vermont. Situated on Lake Champlain near the Adirondack and Green Mountains, Burlington is an outdoorsman’s paradise. In town, you’ll find plenty of room to run and bike, including the 12-mile Island Line Rail Trail(7 miles are paved; the rest are gravel), an easy-going, waterfront route with great views of the lake and mountains. The lake, with its many carved out bays, provides ample paddling and sailing opportunities. For an out of town rush, head to the ski—and mountain biking—mecca of Stowe, just 45 minutes away.

Minneapolis, Minn. Ranked number one in the 2012 American Fitness Index(AFI), Minneapolis has more golf courses, tennis courts, and park land (nearly 200,000 acres) on average per capita. A high percentage of Minneapolitans bike or walk to work, thanks to miles of designated bike paths and greenway trails. Even in winter, getting to work sans wheels is easy with Minneapolis’ well-groomed cross-country ski trails. Add snowshoeing and hockey to the wintry mix, and you just experienced the fittest cold spell of your life.

RELATED: The Nation’s Fittest Cities 

Seattle, Washington.The Emerald City earned a top 10 spot in the AFI for having more parks, tennis courts and dog parks on average per capita and being home to citizens with higher-than-average physical activity. Catch views of the Cascade and Olympic ranges as you run or hike through Discovery Park‘s 500 miles of trails. Practice your mountain biking skills at the I-5 Colonnade, a technical course built under the busy interstate. Day trips give you access to endless fitnessoptions , including skiing and mountain climbing..

Boston, Massachusetts. Home to the Head of the Charles Regatta, the Boston Marathon, and a number 3 ranking in the AFI, it’s no surprise that Beantown earns fitness props. For an in-town workout, hit the Esplanade, a scenic, 17-mile path along the Charles River with skyline views. In South Boston, Carson Beachis an active destination for swimming, beach volleyball and bocce. On the water, it’s all about sailing, rowing, kite boarding and stand up paddle boarding.