Today’s post takes a look at Richmond, the third largest metropolitan statistical area (MSA) in Virginia. The city of Richmond and its surrounding areas include a population of 1.2 million residents, six Fortune 500 companies, and countless historical monuments and museums. Richmond took the number 12 spot in the 2011 data report with a total …
Spotlight on Washington D.C. – Health and Fitness in our Nation’s Capitol
Today’s post looks at the metropolitan statistical area of Washington D.C.-Arlington-Alexandria, which spans from southern Maryland to northern Virginia. From 2008-2010, DC Metro ranked at the top of the American College of Sports Medicine’s (ACSM) American Fitness Index® (), which evaluates the 50 most populous city areas and identifies the healthiest and fittest places in …
Spotlight on Los Angeles: Health and Fitness in The City of Angels
Today’s post looks at Los Angeles and its surrounding areas including Long Beach and Santa Ana. It is a city that promises new life, hope, fame and fortune to many looking to move west. Los Angeles ranked 41st in the most recent ACSM American Fitness Index® () data report, which evaluates the 50 most populous …
Spotlight on Jacksonville: Health and Fitness in Florida’s Largest Metro Area
Today’s post takes a look at the metropolitan statistical area of Jacksonville, Fla., inclusive of Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, and St. Johns counties. Jacksonville is the largest city by land area in the contiguous United States and boasts one of the largest urban park systems in the country. Jacksonville ranked 31st in the most recent …
Spotlight on Milwaukee: Health and Fitness in Wisconsin’s Largest City
Today’s post takes a look at the metropolitan statistical area of Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis in Wisconsin. The fictional home of The Fonz, Richie Cunningham, Laverne and Shirley, is more accurately famous for its tradition as a brewing and manufacturing town. Milwaukee ranked 21st in the most recent ACSM American Fitness Index® () data report, which evaluates …
Introducing the Technical Assistance Project
To help communities improve the health of their residents, the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) today introduced the American Fitness Index® () Technical Assistance Project. With support from the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation, the Technical Assistance Program will be piloted in Indianapolis and Oklahoma City. The YMCA of Greater Indianapolis will …
Spotlight on San Jose: Health and Fitness in Silicon Valley
Today’s post takes a look at the metropolitan statistical area of San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara in California. The area is often called Silicon Valley thanks to being the headquarters of tech giants such as Apple, Cisco Systems, eBay, Facebook, Hewlett-Packard, Intel, Google, Sun Microsystems and Yahoo!. Silicon Valley ranked 11th in the most recent ACSM American …
Spotlight on Minneapolis/St. Paul
Earlier this year, the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) released the annual ACSM American Fitness Index® () data report. This report evaluates the 50 most populous city areas and identifies the healthiest and fittest places in the United States. For the first time, the metropolitan statistical area of Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington edged out previous leader …
From the Field with Dominique Ennis
Dominique Ennis, of UNC Asheville Campus Recreation, talks about the state of health and fitness in of Asheville, N.C. Ennis notes that there are many opportunities for physical activity in the Asheville area that are not measured within the data report. The opportunities include outdoor adventure pursuits, such as hiking, rock climbing and mountain biking. …
From the Field with Katrina Hall
Katrina Hall talks about some of the hurdles to improving physical activity in Charlotte, N.C. Katrina discusses some programs affiliated with Presbyterian Healthcare aimed at helping people live healthier and fitter lives, including the Cancer Rehabilitation and Wellness Center. The metropolitan area of Charlotte ranked 34th in the 2010 data report.
