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El Paso Ranked Among Top 20 US Cities for Active Lifestyles

  //health-fitness.news-articles.net/content/2026/ .. mong-top-20-us-cities-for-active-lifestyles.html
  Published in Health and Fitness on Wednesday, January 7th 2026 at 14:19 GMT by El Paso Times

El Paso Lands in Top 20 for Active Lifestyles: A Deep Dive into the Ranking & What Makes the Sun City a Fitness Haven

A recent study by fitness equipment retailer, Treadmill Magazine, has placed El Paso, Texas, as the 17th best city in the US for an active lifestyle. The study, released January 7th by the El Paso Times, analyzed 100 of the most populated US cities based on a variety of factors, moving beyond simple gym access to assess the broader opportunities for physical activity available to residents. This isn’t just about access to fitness centers; it's a holistic look at walkability, park availability, access to outdoor activities, and even the prevalence of sports facilities.

The study considered four main pillars when compiling its rankings: Fitness & Wellness Resources, Outdoor Activity Opportunities, Walkability & Bikeability, and Public Health. Each pillar contributed 25% to the overall score, ensuring a balanced evaluation. Within these pillars, a number of specific metrics were weighed. Fitness & Wellness Resources included the number of fitness centers per 100,000 residents, the cost of a monthly gym membership, and the number of personal trainers. Outdoor Activity Opportunities looked at the number of parks, golf courses, and hiking trails. Walkability & Bikeability factored in walk and bike scores (sourced from Walk Score), and Public Health considered factors like obesity rates and access to healthcare.

So, how did El Paso score? The El Paso Times article highlights the city’s strengths. El Paso particularly excelled in Outdoor Activity Opportunities, landing in the top 10 nationally for this category. This is hardly surprising given the region’s unique geography and climate. The city is nestled against the Franklin Mountains, providing ample opportunities for hiking, rock climbing, and mountain biking. The article points to the 24,000+ acres of Franklin Mountains State Park as a major draw for outdoor enthusiasts. Beyond the mountains, El Paso boasts over 70 parks, offering spaces for walking, running, and team sports.

While strong in outdoor activities, El Paso also performed respectably in Walkability & Bikeability, securing a score of 53.5 out of 100. This means that many of El Paso’s neighborhoods are designed to encourage walking and cycling for everyday errands and commutes. This score is especially noteworthy considering El Paso is a large city, as walkability generally tends to decrease with increased urban sprawl. The city is actively working to further improve its bike infrastructure, with plans for expanded bike lanes and trails.

Areas where El Paso could improve, according to the study, include Fitness & Wellness Resources. The city ranked relatively low in this pillar, indicating a need for more fitness centers and potentially more affordable gym memberships. The availability of personal trainers also appears to be lower than in other leading active cities. This isn’t necessarily a reflection of a lack of interest in fitness, but rather a potential area for growth and investment.

The Public Health pillar saw El Paso perform at a middle-of-the-road level. While not at the bottom, the city’s obesity rates are still a concern, highlighting the importance of continued health education and access to healthy food options.

Who topped the list? San Diego, California, claimed the number one spot, followed by Henderson, Nevada, and Scottsdale, Arizona. These cities all demonstrated a strong performance across all four pillars, offering a robust combination of fitness resources, outdoor access, walkability, and positive public health indicators.

The significance of this ranking for El Paso goes beyond civic pride. A city that prioritizes active lifestyles is a healthier, more vibrant city. Increased opportunities for physical activity can contribute to reduced healthcare costs, improved mental well-being, and a stronger sense of community. The El Paso Times also notes that this ranking can boost tourism, attracting visitors interested in outdoor adventures and a healthy lifestyle.

Looking forward, El Paso has an opportunity to build on its strengths. Continued investment in park maintenance, trail development, and bike infrastructure will further enhance the city’s appeal to active individuals. Addressing the gaps in fitness resources, through incentives for new gyms or programs to make fitness more accessible, could further elevate El Paso’s ranking in future studies. The Sun City is already a great place to be active; with strategic improvements, it has the potential to climb even higher on the list of America's best cities for healthy living.