Arlington Named America’s Fittest City in 2025 for the Eighth Year in a Row!

For the eighth consecutive year, Arlington, Virginia has been crowned the Fittest City in America according to researchers with the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and Elevance Health Foundation

This year’s 2025 Fitness Index analyzed 35 evidence‑based indicators, spanning both personal health; including exercise rates, smoking, diet, sleep, and mental well‑being. Community/environmental factors like parks access, bike infrastructure, trails, and recreation facilities.

Why Arlington Continues to Dominate

Arlington doesn’t just land at the top of the American Fitness Index, it stays there, year after year. But why? Because fitness here is part of the culture.

Arlington leads the nation in both personal health behaviors and community infrastructure, a rare and powerful combination. Residents consistently rank high for physical activity, sleep, mental well-being, and overall health while being supported by a city built to keep people moving.

• Personal health highlights:

  
  

  • 76.4% of residents sleep at least seven hours a night—the highest in the nation.

  • Smoking rate is a mere 3.3%, among the lowest in the U.S.

  • About 67.2% of residents report being in excellent or very good health.

  • 65.7% meet aerobic activity guidelines; 33.4% meet both aerobic and strength training targets

    
    

• Community strengths:

  
  

  • Nearly 99% of residents live within a 10‑minute walk of a park.

  • Arlington earned a perfect score in walkability and overall access to public recreation spaces.

  • In 2025, the Index incorporated two new metrics: trail miles per 100K residents and splashpads, plus expanded tracking of pickleball/dual‑use courts. Arlington placed sixth nationally for number of tennis/pickleball courts (9 per 20,000 residents).

What This Means for Method and Why It’s Important for Clients

In a community where movement is the norm and wellness is prioritized, Method offers the structure, coaching, and customization that help individuals take those habits even further. While Arlington provides the environment such as parks, trails, walkability, and access, we provide the expertise to turn that potential into real, lasting results.

When you step outside in Arlington, you’re surrounded by people who value movement. You’re walking through neighborhoods designed to support healthy choices. That kind of environment matters. Thus,  it makes sticking to your goals easier, and it keeps you motivated. But even in the most active city, real change doesn’t happen by accident. That’s where Method comes in.

At Method, we see Arlington’s eighth consecutive title as the Fittest City in America as more than just a headline, it’s a reflection of the values we live and train by every day.

We give you the tools to go beyond “active living” and into intentional, personalized fitness. Whether you want to build strength, improve mobility, train smarter, or feel better in your body, we meet you with structure, expertise, and accountability.

You bring the commitment. We bring the strategy. And together, we’re part of the reason Arlington keeps raising the bar. We’re honored to support Arlington’s 2025 fitness triumph and to help clients thrive in every dimension of movement, strength, wellness, and lifestyle.

Articles & Resources

• Arlington Magazine’s feature on Arlington’s fitness ranking (Arlington Magazine)

• ACSM American Fitness Index homepage and full methodology (ACSM)