Norfolk ranks 31st in the 2025 ACSM Fitness Index, making it the fittest large city in Hampton Roads. Arlington is No. 1 again.
NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk has earned bragging rights as the fittest large city in Hampton Roads, ranking 31st out of 100 in the American College of Sports Medicine’s 2025 American Fitness Index.
The annual report evaluates the nation’s 100 largest cities based on how active and healthy their residents are.
Norfolk landed well ahead of Virginia Beach, which came in at 79th, and Chesapeake at 76th. Richmond came in below Norfolk as well, getting ranked at 40.
Arlington, Virginia, claimed the top spot for the eighth consecutive year, followed by Washington, D.C., Seattle, San Francisco, and Denver. The report credits these high-ranking cities with strong investments in local parks and public spaces, accessible bike and pedestrian infrastructure, and favorable personal health metrics.
The Fitness Index considers dozens of indicators, including access to recreation facilities, walkability, public park spending, and rates of physical activity, smoking, mental health challenges, and chronic conditions such as obesity and diabetes.
Nationwide, the 2025 report found signs of improvement. Ninety-four cities reported increases in aerobic activity among residents, and 89 showed more people meeting both aerobic and strength-training recommendations. Smoking rates declined in 73 cities, and two-thirds of cities boosted their per-person park spending, indicating that local governments are making health and fitness more of a priority.
But not all the news was positive. The report flagged worsening air quality in many regions, much of it tied to wildfire smoke. Food insecurity is also on the rise in nearly every city surveyed, which researchers believe may be linked to the expiration of COVID-era support programs like the expanded Child Tax Credit.
In Hampton Roads, Norfolk’s stronger ranking suggests greater access to parks and community recreation programs compared to its neighbors. However, all three local cities fell in the bottom half nationally when it came to food security and mental health metrics.
You can read the full report and see how other cities ranked at ACSM’s website.
