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Americas Fittest/Fatest Cities

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LoKyBuckeye

LoKyBuckeye

I give up. This board is too hard to understand.
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This is a survey from Men's Fitnes Magazine so it's nothing official :)

Baltimore Is Named America's Fittest City By BEN NUCKOLS, Associated Press Writer

BALTIMORE - Baltimore has been named America's fittest city, with Chicago overtaking Houston as the fattest. Last year's fittest city, Seattle, drops to No. 8 in the new list, released today by Men's Fitness magazine.

When the annual survey named Baltimore the fittest city in America, many Charm City residents had the same response: You gotta be kidding.

Sure, people here are known for eating lots of seafood, but are crab cakes and deep-fried lake trout the staples of a healthy diet?

"I think it's probably the most mis-fit city in America," said Charisse Bailey as she dug into a typical Baltimore lunch: fried red snapper on thick white bread, with a side of french fries and a beer.

The city's skyline is dotted with neon signs advertising Domino sugar, Utz potato chips and National Bohemian beer. And while many neighborhoods, such as Fells Point and Federal Hill, have been transformed by an influx of young professionals, a Friday night visit to either reveals a culture that revolves around drinking and greasy food.

Nevertheless, Men's Fitness magazine placed Baltimore at the top of its annual list of cities where fitness is king, ahead of Honolulu (No. 2 for the second consecutive year), San Francisco (No. 7) and last year's winner, Seattle (No. 8).

The fattest city in America for 2006 is Chicago, taking over the dubious honor from Houston.

Last year, Baltimore was closer to Houston than it was to Honolulu, checking in as the 25th-fattest city in the Men's Fitness tally.

How could such a turnaround be possible in the span of a year? Men's Fitness editor Neal Boulton is quick to point out that the survey is far from scientific, and he says it took additional factors into account this year that worked in Baltimore's favor.

Among them: the amount of public park space, access to health care, air quality, the relatively small number of fast-food restaurants and the leadership of Mayor Martin O'Malley. Boulton says Baltimore has become safer, more prosperous and more conducive to fitness.

"Baltimore is a paragon of urban renewal. That's why it's the fittest city, that's why it's the comeback city," he said.

Boulton says he also reduced the importance of climate in the survey, which is one reason Baltimore squeaked ahead of Honolulu.

Rival magazine Men's Health had a different take on Baltimore. In its current issue, the magazine ranks Baltimore 93rd on its list of the "100 Best Cities for Men," with grades of "F" in health and quality of life and "C+" in fitness. San Francisco tops the Men's Health survey, and Honolulu is No. 2.

Baltimore residents seemingly would have had an easier time believing the Men's Health ranking. When told of the Men's Fitness honor, they invariably reacted with shock, bewilderment or outright laughter.

"Baltimore lives on junk food. That's why we're all standing here," said electrician Mark Smith as he surveyed the scene at Lexington Market. The popular downtown lunch spot has dozens of kiosks selling fried chicken and cheap Chinese food.

"I've been eating here for 21 years," Smith said. "I walk around and think, 'What's the lesser of the evils?'"

While the city has seen significant reductions in violent crime, large sections remain plagued by poverty and drugs, and residents of less prosperous neighborhoods often have to depend on convenience stores and takeout food for sustenance.

"We don't eat well at all," said Tremonteria Morgan, a vegetarian. "We eat a lot of fried foods — fried chicken and soul food. For myself, I have to search high and low for a health food place. We have a lot of obesity here in our city."

The mayor looked on the bright side, attributing Baltimore's increasing fitness to its economic revival and the end of its precipitous population drop.

"You see some neighborhoods starting to grow again, and attracting younger people. With those younger people coming, there's a number of gyms now," O'Malley said. "In every growing neighborhood, you look for two leading signs — one is a gym and the other is a Starbucks."

___

The fittest and fattest cities in America in the annual survey by Men's Fitness magazine, with cities in order of ranking, and 2005 rankings in parentheses. Some were on the opposite list:

TOP 25 FITTEST CITIES:

1. Baltimore (25 fattest)

2. Honolulu (2)

3. Virginia Beach, Va. (12)

4. Tucson, Ariz. (8)

5. Milwaukee (15)

6. Colorado Springs, Colo. (3)

7. San Francisco (4)

8. Seattle (1)

9. Louisville-Jefferson, Ky. (not ranked)

10. Boston (11)

11. Sacramento, Calif. (7)

12. Nashville-Davidson, Tenn. (25)

13. Albuquerque (10)

14. Tulsa, Okla. (22 fattest)

15. Phoenix (12 fattest)

16. Atlanta (23 fattest)

17. Portland, Ore. (6)

18. Washington (23)

19. Oakland, Calif. (20)

20. Denver (5)

21. Minneapolis (13)

22. Arlington, Texas (22)

23. Austin, Texas (19)

24. Jacksonville, Fla. (18)

25. Omaha, Neb. (16)

TOP 25 FATTEST CITIES:

1. Chicago (5)

2. Las Vegas (9)

3. Los Angeles (21 fittest)

4. Dallas (6)

5. Houston (1)

6. Memphis, Tenn. (4)

7. Long Beach, Calif. (20)

8. El Paso, Texas (11)

9. Kansas City, Mo. (18)

10. Mesa, Ariz. (15)

11. Indianapolis (13)

12. San Antonio (10)

13. Fort Worth, Texas (14)

14. Miami (19)

15. Detroit (3)

16. Columbus, Ohio (16)

17. Oklahoma City (21)

18. Cleveland (24 fittest)

19. Wichita, Kan. (17)

20. Charlotte, N.C. (24)

21. San Diego (9 fittest)

22. Fresno, Calif. (14 fittest)

23. Philadelphia (2)

24. San Jose, Calif. (17 fittest)

25. New York (8)

SOURCE: Men's Fitness
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I'm surprised that Boston is one of the fittest cities. Yeah, we have that famous marathon, but it seems like this city is inundated with Dunkin Donuts bonzers.

Manfred and I walked our old running route when we were in Columbus last week. We really miss it. If you're looking for a great place to run in C-bus, start at Antrim Park (near 161 and 315) and head north on the running/biking trail there. It's a really pretty run along the river.
 
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OSUsushichic said:
Manfred and I walked our old running route when we were in Columbus last week. We really miss it. If you're looking for a great place to run in C-bus, start at Antrim Park (near 161 and 315) and head north on the running/biking trail there. It's a really pretty run along the river.
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My wife and I do that route backwards whenever we're in Columbus visiting my parents. They live about 100 yards from the bike trail a 1/2 mile or so South of the Wilson Bridge Road tennis courts. My wife loves going around the lake.
 
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Jagdaddy said:
My wife and I do that route backwards whenever we're in Columbus visiting my parents. They live about 100 yards from the bike trail a 1/2 mile or so South of the Wilson Bridge Road tennis courts. My wife loves going around the lake.
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We would run it backwards sometimes. It looks like they have extended the trail north of the tennis courts. I'm not sure how much further it goes now.

I love watching those skate rats brain themselves on the concrete at the skate park. Always provides some comic relief when running that route. :biggrin:
 
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OSUsushichic said:
I'm surprised that Boston is one of the fittest cities. Yeah, we have that famous marathon, but it seems like this city is inundated with Dunkin Donuts bonzers.

Manfred and I walked our old running route when we were in Columbus last week. We really miss it. If you're looking for a great place to run in C-bus, start at Antrim Park (near 161 and 315) and head north on the running/biking trail there. It's a really pretty run along the river.
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That's a great run. I also liked the new trail along the river downtown. There's a nice, quick 5 mile and the downtown skyline looks neat. You can also run right up the trail to the 'Shoe and back from downtown, which I did a couple of times, although it is a bit spooky back there I suppose for a single woman to run. You meander along the river and its really a great run. Like being in the country.

As for Baltimore, doesn't it have a high crime rate? Would people be running for their lives :lol:?
 
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Steve19 said:
That's a great run. I also liked the new trail along the river downtown. There's a nice, quick 5 mile and the downtown skyline looks neat. You can also run right up the trail to the 'Shoe and back from downtown, which I did a couple of times, although it is a bit spooky back there I suppose for a single woman to run. You meander along the river and its really a great run. Like being in the country.
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The Olentangy River trail is about 13 miles long, and some parts between OSU and downtown can be scary when running alone. This site has a map: http://recparks.columbus.gov/trails/Trails_3.asp
 
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OSUsushichic said:
I'm having another heart atteeak. More Polish saaaseage please!

Dikkka rules!
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sports.fan.lg.jpg
 
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Taos doesn't qualify as a big city, but the lifestyle here lends itself to anything outdoors.
And we have the athletes to prove it.
A female friend of ours finished 3rd in her age class in the Xterra ,3 years ago. This after having a baby 6 months earlier. Age 38!
She is also a high alpine , hike up to ridge-line skier! 11500ft.!

And there are many people here who just work enough to pay for their outdoor pursuits. Skiing, bicycling,kayaking, climbing.

Just a fantastic place to be outdoors, all year round!:biggrin:
 
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