With the pandemic restricting our usual exercise regimes due to social distancing regulations, many Americans have had to adapt their fitness goals and align them with at-home workouts. Combined with the fact that many of us are comfort eating while in the midst of a global health crisis, this may have led some to gain the so-called, “Quarantine 15” without even realizing. However, the good news about working or studying from home is not having to worry about your daily commute taking up too much time that could be used to achieve your at-home fitness goals for the day. But what happens if you don’t have adequate space in your home and don’t live near an open outdoor area in order to work out? BarBend.com, the world’s leading strength training resource and news outlet, compiled a comprehensive list of the 50 fittest cities across Arizona, using data backed by studies based on a variety of factors.
These factors were combined to create an overall fitness score out of 100 for each city on the list. Fitness factors in this study include exercise opportunities, access to healthy food, air pollution, drinking water violations, physical inactivity, obesity and smoking, among others.
READ MORE: Here are the most expensive zip codes in Arizona in 2020
It was found that Paradise Valley emerged in 1st position with an overall fitness score of 80.7. The town has a high rate of exercise opportunities at 920 (per 1,000 people) suggesting that the surrounding environment can play a key role in determining people’s fitness level. According to the CHR’s county health ranking model, “individuals who live closer to sidewalks, parks and gyms are more likely to exercise,” therefore access to exercise opportunities is crucial in maintaining a healthy population. Additionally, residents who live in neighborhoods with access to grocery stores that allow them to obtain healthy foods, such as fresh fruit and vegetables, are more likely to have healthier diets than those who do not have access to these kinds of supermarkets.
Considering the Grand Canyon State is abundant in national parks and natural landscapes, the great outdoors provides the perfect background for recreational activities, such as rock climbing, hiking, swimming and cycling. Additionally, the top 50 fittest cities in Arizona generally have low air pollution, low rates of physical inactivity, obesity and smoking.
Here are the 50 fittest cities in Arizona
1. Paradise Valley, Arizona
Fit Score:80.7
Population: 14,502
Exercise Opportunities (per 1000): 920
Physical inactivity (per 1000): 190
Access to Healthy Food (per 1000): 4O
Obesity (per 1000): 270
Air Pollution (PM2.5): 3.71
Smoking (per 1000): 140
Physical Distress Days (per 30): 11
Poor Physical Health Days (per 30): 3
Drinking Water Violations: Yes
Drinking (per 1000): 190
Frequent Mental Distress (per 1000): 11
2. Rincon Valley, Arizona
Fit Score:80.6
Population: 6,151
Exercise Opportunities (per 1000): 860
Physical inactivity (per 1000): 180
Access to Healthy Food (per 1000): 😯
Obesity (per 1000): 250
Air Pollution (PM2.5): 2.77
Smoking (per 1000): 140
Physical Distress Days (per 30): 12
Poor Physical Health Days (per 30): 3
Drinking Water Violations: Yes
Drinking (per 1000): 170
Frequent Mental Distress (per 1000): 12
3. Williamson, Arizona
Fit Score:80.33
Population: 5,108
Exercise Opportunities (per 1000): 870
Physical inactivity (per 1000): 210
Access to Healthy Food (per 1000): 130
Obesity (per 1000): 240A
Air Pollution (PM2.5): 1.79
Smoking (per 1000): 150
Physical Distress Days (per 30): 11
Poor Physical Health Days (per 30): 3
Drinking Water Violations: Yes
Drinking (per 1000): 160
Frequent Mental Distress (per 1000): 12
4. Rio Rico, Arizona
Fit Score:80.23
Population: 18,891
Exercise Opportunities (per 1000): 670
Physical inactivity (per 1000): 180
Access to Healthy Food (per 1000): 130
Obesity (per 1000): 230
Air Pollution (PM2.5): 2.66
Smoking (per 1000): 160
Physical Distress Days (per 30): 15
Poor Physical Health Days (per 30): 4.6
Drinking Water Violations: Yes
Drinking (per 1000): 140
Frequent Mental Distress (per 1000): 13
5. Tanque Verde, Arizona
Fit Score:80.04
PopulationPopulation: 16,197
Exercise Opportunities (per 1000): 860P
Physical inactivity (per 1000): 180
Access to Healthy Food (per 1000): 80
Obesity (per 1000): 250
Air Pollution (PM2.5): 2.77
Smoking (per 1000): 140
Physical Distress Days (per 30): 12
Poor Physical Health Days (per 30): 3.9
Drinking Water Violations: Yes
Drinking (per 1000): 170
Frequent Mental Distress (per 1000): 12
6.Corona De Tucson, Arizona
Fit Score:80
Population: 7,583E
Exercise Opportunities (per 1000): 860
Physical inactivity (per 1000): 180
Access to Healthy Food (per 1000): 80
Obesity (per 1000): 250
Air Pollution (PM2.5): 2.77
Smoking (per 1000): 140
Physical Distress Days (per 30): 12
Poor Physical Health Days (per 30): 3.9
Drinking Water Violations: Yes
Drinking (per 1000): 170
Frequent Mental Distress (per 1000): 12
7. Prescott, Arizona
Fit Score:79.9
Population: 43,314
Exercise Opportunities (per 1000): 870
Physical inactivity (per 1000): 210
Access to Healthy Food (per 1000): 130
Obesity (per 1000): 240
Air Pollution (PM2.5): 1.79
Smoking (per 1000): 150
Physical Distress Days (per 30): 11
Poor Physical Health Days (per 30): 3.7
Drinking Water Violations: Yes
Drinking (per 1000): 160
Frequent Mental Distress (per 1000): 12
8. Verde Village, Arizona
Fit Score:79.84
Population: 12,584E
Exercise Opportunities (per 1000): 870
Physical inactivity (per 1000): 210
Access to Healthy Food (per 1000): 130
Obesity (per 1000): 240
Air Pollution (PM2.5): 1.79
Smoking (per 1000): 150
hysical Distress Days (per 30): 11
Poor Physical Health Days (per 30): 3.7
Drinking Water Violations: Yes
Drinking (per 1000): 160
Frequent Mental Distress (per 1000): 12
9. Chino Valley, Arizona
Fit Score:79.83
Population: 12,003
Exercise Opportunities (per 1000): 870
Physical inactivity (per 1000): 210A
Access to Healthy Food (per 1000): 130
Obesity (per 1000): 240
Air Pollution (PM2.5): 1.79
Smoking (per 1000): 150
Physical Distress Days (per 30): 11
Poor Physical Health Days (per 30): 3.7
Drinking Water Violations: Yes
Drinking (per 1000): 160
Frequent Mental Distress (per 1000): 12
10.Paulden, Arizona
Fit Score:79.76
Population: 5,064E
Exercise Opportunities (per 1000): 870
Physical inactivity (per 1000): 210
Access to Healthy Food (per 1000): 130
Obesity (per 1000): 240
Air Pollution (PM2.5): 1.79
Smoking (per 1000): 150
Physical Distress Days (per 30): 11
Poor Physical Health Days (per 30): 3.7
Drinking Water Violations: Yes
Drinking (per 1000): 160
Frequent Mental Distress (per 1000): 12
11. Prescott Valley, Arizona
Fit Score:79.71
12. Catalina Foothills, Arizona
Fit Score:79.6
13. Marana, Arizona
Fit Score:79.55
14. Camp Verde, Arizona
Fit Score:79.52
15. Oro Valley, Arizona
Fit Score:79.49
16.Nogales, Arizona
Fit Score:79.46
17.Lake Montezuma, Arizona
Fit Score:79.44
18.Vail, Arizona
Fit Score:79.4
19.Sahuarita, Arizona
Fit Score:79.26
20.Cottonwood, Arizona
Fit Score:79.23
21.Casas Adobes, Arizona
Fit Score:78.78
22. Valencia West, Arizona
Fit Score:78.72
23.Fortuna Foothills, Arizona
Fit Score:78.49
24. Picture Rocks, Arizona
Fit Score:78.49
25. Catalina, Arizona
Fit Score:78.42
26. Drexel Heights, Arizona
Fit Score:78.41
27. Yuma, Arizona
Fit Score:78.38
28. Payson, Arizona
Fit Score:78.33
29. Green Valley, Arizona
Fit Score:78.31
30. Globe, Arizona
Fit Score:78.26
31. Tucson Estates, Arizona
Fit Score:78.25
32. Avra Valley, Arizona
Fit Score:78.22
33. Somerton, Arizona
Fit Score:78.05
34. Saddlebrooke, Arizona
Fit Score:78.03
35. Tucson, Arizona
Fit Score:78.01
36. Gold Canyon, Arizona
Fit Score:77.94
37. San Luis, Arizona
Fit Score:77.92
38. Summit, Arizona
Fit Score:77.9
39. Maricopa, Arizona
Fit Score:77.89
Maricopa, AZ
40. Three Points, Arizona
Fit Score:77.89
41. Flowing Wells, Arizona
Fit Score:77.82
42. Anthem, Arizona
Fit Score:77.68
43. San Tan Valley, Arizona
Fit Score:77.65
44. Queen Creek, Arizona
Fit Score:77.63
45. Cave Creek, Arizona
Fit Score:77.57
46. Gilbert, Arizona
Fit Score:77.43
47. South Tucson, Arizona
Fit Score:77.33
48. Scottsdale, Arizona
Fit Score:77.16
49. Florence, Arizona
Fit Score:77.08
50. Litchfield Park, Arizona
Fit Score:77.07
Full results are here.
