New research reveals that New Jersey is the most gym-obsessed state and Arizona ranks as the fourth most gym-obsessed state.

The research, conducted by fitness experts Fitness Volt, analyzed Google Trends data of the last 12 months for search terms frequently used by gym-goers and often associated with fitness. These search terms were then combined to give each state a total score to discover the most and least gym-obsessed states in the country. 


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The study revealed that New Jersey ranks as the most gym-obsessed state in America. With a total score of 672, New Jersey topped the list by a landslide as its population has the second-highest search levels for ‘gym’, and the sixth-highest number of searches for the phrase ‘yoga near me’. Additionally, New Jersey is the state most interested in the workout exercise Pilates, having the highest number of searches for the term ‘Pilates near me’ in the country.

California ranks as the second most gym-obsessed state in the country. The West Coastal state has the second-highest proportion of its population searching for the term ‘gym membership’ and the third-highest searches for ‘Pilates near me’, placing it second in the ranking. Additionally, California residents search for the phrase ‘gym near me’ the third most in the country, giving the state a total score of 641.

Hawaii ranks as the third most gym-obsessed state in the country, with a total score of 639. Hawaii has the highest level of searches for the word ‘gym’ and the term ‘gym membership’ in the country, in addition to having the most interest in ‘bodybuilding’. Despite this, Hawaii has a low level of searches for other search terms analyzed, such as ‘home gym’ and ‘Pilates near me’, therefore ranking third overall.

In contrast, South Dakota ranks as the least gym-obsessed state in the country, with the lowest total score of 383. The state has the lowest search levels for the phrase ‘gym near me’ and the second-lowest number of searches for ‘Pilates near me’. Despite this, the state’s residents search for the term ‘home gym’ the third most in the country, indicating that the population of South Dakota may prefer to work out at home rather than a shared gym.

North Dakota features as the second least gym-obsessed state. Joint with Wisconsin and Ohio, North Dakota has the lowest search levels for the term ‘gym workout’. The upper Midwestern state is also the least interested in Pilates in the country, having the lowest number of searches for the phrase ‘Pilates near me’ and a total score of 384.

The study found that West Virginia is the third least gym-obsessed state in the country. The state has the second-lowest search levels for ‘gym near me’ and the fourth lowest for the term ‘yoga near me’, giving West Virginia a total score of 397.

A spokesperson for Fitness Volt commented on the study: “According to the CDC, only 53 percent of adults meet the Physical Activity Guidelines for aerobic physical activity. This study can provide an indication into which areas in the country are the most physically active and more interested in gym culture, with New Jersey residents taking the crown.”

This research was conducted by Fitness Volt, a comprehensive online resource dedicated to Strength Sports, from healthy eating to exercise and everything in between.