This Is the State Where the Most People Exercise: A Ranking of All 50 States

Most Americans struggle to be active and find time for regular exercise. When life is busy, finding the time for healthy habits is hard, but regular exercise is about more than dropping pounds. It’s about keeping the body healthy and increasing stamina and flexibility. While we can’t stop the aging process, it is possible to age gracefully, and exercise can help all types of health issues that start popping up in the golden years. Aging happens to everyone, but getting older does not mean succumbing to a sedentary lifestyle. Folks in the most active states in the U.S. know that getting active can be as simple as walking. You don’t have to pay big bucks for a gym membership. Just strap on your sneakers and go outside.

The United States is known around the world as having an obesity issue, and recently, many adults have focused on changing that narrative and leading an active lifestyle. Obesity and a sedentary lifestyle can lower the quality of life and life expectancy. In some parts of the U.S., the population is ahead of the curve and already exercises regularly. It’s not surprising that the most active states have plenty of public spaces to get active, from national parks with an abundance of hiking trails to urban spaces with walkways and bike lanes. When infrastructure supports healthy habits with safe, accessible places to be active, exercise is attainable for everyone across socioeconomic status.

Do you want to get more active? Check out the list of the most active states and see where your home state falls. If your state is lagging behind, get inspired by fellow Americans to get active. It’s as easy as finding an enjoyable activity and making it part of your weekly routine.

Using data from the 2023 County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute joint program, 24/7 Tempo identified the most physically active metropolitan area in each state. Metro areas are ranked by the share of adults 20 or older who report some leisure time physical activity. Four states — Delaware, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont — have only one metro area. As a result, these areas rank as the most active in their state by default only. (Also See: This Is the Most Obese City in Each State)

Scroll down for the most physically active states in the U.S.:

50. Kentucky

• Adults who exercise regularly: 70.7%
• Adults in poor or fair health: 19.50% — 2nd highest
• Adults who are obese: 37.00% — 9th highest
• Life expectancy: 75.1 years — 4th lowest

49. Mississippi

• Adults who exercise regularly: 71.1%
• Adults in poor or fair health: 18.70% — 6th highest
• Adults who are obese: 39.90% — the highest
• Life expectancy: 73.9 years — the lowest

48. Arkansas

• Adults who exercise regularly: 71.2%
• Adults in poor or fair health: 19.40% — 3rd highest
• Adults who are obese: 37.20% — 6th highest
• Life expectancy: 75.5 years — 7th lowest

47. Louisiana

• Adults who exercise regularly: 71.8%
• Adults in poor or fair health: 19.00% — 4th highest
• Adults who are obese: 38.30% — 4th highest
• Life expectancy: 75.2 years — 5th lowest

46. Oklahoma

• Adults who exercise regularly: 72.1%
• Adults in poor or fair health: 17.30% — 7th highest
• Adults who are obese: 37.10% — 8th highest
• Life expectancy: 75.5 years — 8th lowest

45. Alabama

• Adults who exercise regularly: 72.2%
• Adults in poor or fair health: 18.90% — 5th highest
• Adults who are obese: 39.30% — 3rd highest
• Life expectancy: 74.8 years — 3rd lowest

44. West Virginia

• Adults who exercise regularly: 72.6%
• Adults in poor or fair health: 20.00% — the highest
• Adults who are obese: 39.60% — 2nd highest
• Life expectancy: 74.3 years — 2nd lowest

43. Florida

• Adults who exercise regularly: 74.2%
• Adults in poor or fair health: 13.30% — 21st highest
• Adults who are obese: 28.30% — 9th lowest
• Life expectancy: 79.7 years — 11th highest

42. Indiana

• Adults who exercise regularly: 74.4%
• Adults in poor or fair health: 15.10% — 13th highest
• Adults who are obese: 37.20% — 7th highest
• Life expectancy: 76.5 years — 10th lowest

41. South Carolina

• Adults who exercise regularly: 74.4%
• Adults in poor or fair health: 15.90% — 9th highest
• Adults who are obese: 36.70% — 10th highest
• Life expectancy: 76.4 years — 9th lowest

40. Texas

• Adults who exercise regularly: 74.6%
• Adults in poor or fair health: 15.70% — 10th highest
• Adults who are obese: 35.80% — 14th highest
• Life expectancy: 78.4 years — 24th lowest

39. New York

• Adults who exercise regularly: 74.8%
• Adults in poor or fair health: 11.80% — 18th lowest
• Adults who are obese: 26.50% — 5th lowest
• Life expectancy: 80.3 years — 4th highest

38. Nevada

• Adults who exercise regularly: 75.1%
• Adults in poor or fair health: 16.70% — 8th highest
• Adults who are obese: 28.10% — 8th lowest
• Life expectancy: 78.1 years — 21st lowest

37. Missouri

• Adults who exercise regularly: 75.1%
• Adults in poor or fair health: 15.20% — 12th highest
• Adults who are obese: 34.20% — 18th highest
• Life expectancy: 76.6 years — 12th lowest

36. North Dakota

• Adults who exercise regularly: 75.4%
• Adults in poor or fair health: 11.60% — 15th lowest
• Adults who are obese: 33.60% — 20th highest
• Life expectancy: 78.8 years — 21st highest

35. Georgia

• Adults who exercise regularly: 75.5%
• Adults in poor or fair health: 15.10% — 14th highest
• Adults who are obese: 34.30% — 17th highest
• Life expectancy: 77.3 years — 14th lowest

34. Illinois

• Adults who exercise regularly: 75.6%
• Adults in poor or fair health: 12.30% — 23rd lowest
• Adults who are obese: 32.50% — 24th highest
• Life expectancy: 78.6 years — 23rd highest

33. Tennessee

• Adults who exercise regularly: 76.4%
• Adults in poor or fair health: 15.70% — 11th highest
• Adults who are obese: 35.80% — 12th highest
• Life expectancy: 75.3 years — 6th lowest

32. Delaware

• Adults who exercise regularly: 76.4%
• Adults in poor or fair health: 12.80% — 23rd highest
• Adults who are obese: 36.20% — 11th highest
• Life expectancy: 78 years — 18th lowest

31. Ohio

• Adults who exercise regularly: 76.5%
• Adults in poor or fair health: 14.50% — 17th highest
• Adults who are obese: 35.80% — 13th highest
• Life expectancy: 76.5 years — 11th lowest

30. Pennsylvania

• Adults who exercise regularly: 76.6%
• Adults in poor or fair health: 13.10% — 22nd highest
• Adults who are obese: 31.60% — 23rd lowest
• Life expectancy: 78 years — 19th lowest

29. Rhode Island

• Adults who exercise regularly: 77.1%
• Adults in poor or fair health: 11.80% — 16th lowest
• Adults who are obese: 30.60% — 18th lowest
• Life expectancy: 79.4 years — 15th highest

28. Iowa

• Adults who exercise regularly: 77.3%
• Adults in poor or fair health: 12.00% — 20th lowest
• Adults who are obese: 37.20% — 5th highest
• Life expectancy: 78.7 years — 22nd highest

27. New Mexico

• Adults who exercise regularly: 77.5%
• Adults in poor or fair health: 13.80% — 19th highest
• Adults who are obese: 31.70% — 24th lowest
• Life expectancy: 76.9 years — 13th lowest

26. North Carolina

• Adults who exercise regularly: 78.1%
• Adults in poor or fair health: 13.50% — 20th highest
• Adults who are obese: 33.60% — 21st highest
• Life expectancy: 77.7 years — 16th lowest

25. South Dakota

• Adults who exercise regularly: 78.4%
• Adults in poor or fair health: 10.40% — 5th lowest
• Adults who are obese: 33.40% — 22nd highest
• Life expectancy: 78.2 years — 22nd lowest

24. Wyoming

• Adults who exercise regularly: 78.4%
• Adults in poor or fair health: 11.50% — 14th lowest
• Adults who are obese: 30.60% — 17th lowest
• Life expectancy: 78.1 years — 20th lowest

23. Arizona

• Adults who exercise regularly: 78.4%
• Adults in poor or fair health: 14.50% — 16th highest
• Adults who are obese: 31.50% — 22nd lowest
• Life expectancy: 79.1 years — 18th highest

22. Kansas

• Adults who exercise regularly: 78.6%
• Adults in poor or fair health: 12.80% — 24th highest
• Adults who are obese: 35.80% — 15th highest
• Life expectancy: 77.8 years — 17th lowest

21. Alaska

• Adults who exercise regularly: 78.9%
• Adults in poor or fair health: 12.20% — 22nd lowest
• Adults who are obese: 31.80% — 25th lowest
• Life expectancy: 78.6 years — 23rd highest

20. California

• Adults who exercise regularly: 78.9%
• Adults in poor or fair health: 14.40% — 18th highest
• Adults who are obese: 30.20% — 14th lowest
• Life expectancy: 81 years — 2nd highest

19. Nebraska

• Adults who exercise regularly: 79%
• Adults in poor or fair health: 10.20% — 2nd lowest
• Adults who are obese: 34.00% — 19th highest
• Life expectancy: 79 years — 19th highest

18. Maryland

• Adults who exercise regularly: 79.4%
• Adults in poor or fair health: 10.60% — 6th lowest
• Adults who are obese: 30.90% — 19th lowest
• Life expectancy: 78.6 years — 25th highest

17. Virginia

• Adults who exercise regularly: 79.6%
• Adults in poor or fair health: 12.40% — 25th lowest
• Adults who are obese: 32.40% — 25th highest
• Life expectancy: 79.1 years — 17th highest

16. Michigan

• Adults who exercise regularly: 79.8%
• Adults in poor or fair health: 14.70% — 15th highest
• Adults who are obese: 35.30% — 16th highest
• Life expectancy: 77.5 years — 15th lowest

15. New Jersey

• Adults who exercise regularly: 79.8%
• Adults in poor or fair health: 10.80% — 8th lowest
• Adults who are obese: 27.70% — 6th lowest
• Life expectancy: 79.5 years — 14th highest

14. Connecticut

• Adults who exercise regularly: 79.8%
• Adults in poor or fair health: 11.00% — 12th lowest
• Adults who are obese: 29.50% — 13th lowest
• Life expectancy: 80.1 years — 7th highest

13. Wisconsin

• Adults who exercise regularly: 80.2%
• Adults in poor or fair health: 12.40% — 24th lowest
• Adults who are obese: 32.70% — 23rd highest
• Life expectancy: 78.9 years — 20th highest

12. Maine

• Adults who exercise regularly: 80.3%
• Adults in poor or fair health: 11.10% — 13th lowest
• Adults who are obese: 31.30% — 21st lowest
• Life expectancy: 78.6 years — 25th lowest

11. Idaho

• Adults who exercise regularly: 80.3%
• Adults in poor or fair health: 11.80% — 19th lowest
• Adults who are obese: 31.30% — 20th lowest
• Life expectancy: 79.2 years — 16th highest

10. Massachusetts

• Adults who exercise regularly: 80.6%
• Adults in poor or fair health: 10.80% — 9th lowest
• Adults who are obese: 24.50% — 2nd lowest
• Life expectancy: 80.2 years — 6th highest

9. Minnesota

• Adults who exercise regularly: 81.3%
• Adults in poor or fair health: 10.00% — the lowest
• Adults who are obese: 30.60% — 16th lowest
• Life expectancy: 80.4 years — 3rd highest

8. New Hampshire

• Adults who exercise regularly: 81.4%
• Adults in poor or fair health: 10.80% — 10th lowest
• Adults who are obese: 30.50% — 15th lowest
• Life expectancy: 79.6 years — 13th highest

7. Hawaii

• Adults who exercise regularly: 81.6%
• Adults in poor or fair health: 10.30% — 4th lowest
• Adults who are obese: 25.00% — 3rd lowest
• Life expectancy: 82.3 years — the highest

6. Montana

• Adults who exercise regularly: 82%
• Adults in poor or fair health: 12.10% — 21st lowest
• Adults who are obese: 28.90% — 11th lowest
• Life expectancy: 78.4 years — 23rd lowest

5. Oregon

• Adults who exercise regularly: 82.4%
• Adults in poor or fair health: 12.70% — 25th highest
• Adults who are obese: 28.30% — 10th lowest
• Life expectancy: 79.7 years — 10th highest

4. Washington

• Adults who exercise regularly: 82.5%
• Adults in poor or fair health: 11.80% — 17th lowest
• Adults who are obese: 28.00% — 7th lowest
• Life expectancy: 80.2 years — 5th highest

3. Vermont

• Adults who exercise regularly: 82.9%
• Adults in poor or fair health: 10.60% — 7th lowest
• Adults who are obese: 26.30% — 4th lowest
• Life expectancy: 79.7 years — 12th highest

2. Colorado

• Adults who exercise regularly: 83.5%
• Adults in poor or fair health: 10.20% — 3rd lowest
• Adults who are obese: 24.20% — the lowest
• Life expectancy: 80 years — 8th highest

1. Utah

• Adults who exercise regularly: 83.7%
• Adults in poor or fair health: 10.90% — 11th lowest
• Adults who are obese: 29.30% — 12th lowest
• Life expectancy: 79.7 years — 9th highest