Best (And Worst) Cities for a Healthy Lifestyle

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Whether you’re a self-proclaimed health nut or recently trying to commit to a healthier lifestyle, it can be hard to actually achieve diet and fitness goals. While your own personal character and motivations play a large role in your success or failure, the environment is also a large contributor to take into account. 

According to a recent analysis by Life Storage, some cities are simply better for health nuts than others. From the variety in gyms and outdoor parks to menu options at local restaurants, your city may be to blame for not hitting all of your fitness goals. 

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LA and NYC are Leading the Health Kick 

On nearly every measure, Los Angeles and New York City are among the top cities that have the most options for health nuts. The two cities each have over 1,000 nutritionists, more than double the next top cities. NYC has a whopping 2,146 gyms or fitness centers encouraging citizens to get up and get active. Admittedly, they have to have something to compensate for the endless New York bagels and pizza. 

But if bagels and pizza aren’t your thing, NYC has the most restaurants with vegan/vegetarian options and juice bars. While the authentic street food may be calling your name as you walk through the Big Apple, there are definitely options for those trying to clean up their diet. 

The west coast is apparently home to health nuts who also love the outdoors. While there are tons of options for gym junkies, Los Angeles has the most hiking trails and parks in the US allowing for the dual benefit of working out and enjoying nature. LA also has the most farmer’s markets which is a great opportunity for people to cut out processed foods while eating local. 

Smaller City Equals Fewer Options 

It’s unsurprising that the cities that consistently appear among the worst for variety are also some of the smaller cities across the US. Cities such as Hartford, Connecticut, Providence, Rhode Island, and Grand Rapids, Michigan are among those that appear frequently on the lowest end of a variety of measures. 

With just 67 gyms in Hartford, it can be hard to find the motivation to dive in to the fitness world. Unlike NYC where there’s sure to be a gym specifically designed to match your interests and background, you have limited options on where you can get your workout in. 

On top of that, going to the same gym each day can lead to a exhaustingly repetitive routine. There are ways to beat your boredom at the gym, but it definitely is harder to develop a new lifestyle if your gym isn’t exciting you anymore. 

The good thing with the popularity in health nuts on the rise is that there are sure to be more options pop up gradually. More and more people are buying into trends such as boutique fitness and juice cleanses, so more businesses will be created to accommodate these crazes. 

Smaller cities may be slower to latch on to this trend, but they will eventually catch up with the latest and greatest lifestyle that all your big city friends are raving about. You may have to be more patient in the smaller cities, but more options will be in your hometown before you know it!