Best Wisconsin City for an Active Lifestyle Says New Survey

The website Wallethub recently evaluated some of the most populated cities to determine the best ones for an active lifestyle. I’m not all that active; I’m winded even saying the words. They looked at a whole bunch of stuff. I don’t want to get too technical with phrases like “a whole bunch of stuff,” but I may already have.  

So, what is this “whole bunch of stuff?”

One of the things they analyzed was the cost of being active and getting involved in Madison.  For instance, the cost of joining a gym.  The price of things like gear,  running shoes, tennis balls, or fees for races or even bowling.

They also looked at the number of fitness stores, sports clubs, and intramural leagues around Madison. They factored in the people who utilized those places and what other activities the people of Madison were engaging in, like walking, biking, and getting their workout on at home.

Is there More to it?

Yes, Wallethub also looked at how easy it is to just go outside in and around Madison and be active.  They factored how many parks, pools, basketball courts, and even things like bike lanes.

Would it be shocking to find out they also took into account air quality? That’s sometimes pivotal in being outdoors.   Spoiler alert, fresh air is a way to boost your score.

What is the score?

In the end, Wallethub provides The 100 top cities for an active and healthy lifestyle.  The luck is with Madison.  They fall at lucky number 13 which is a sweet spot.  You’re in good company with states that ooze outdoors like Washington, California, and Colorado,

Are there any anchors to all this fun?  Well, kinda, Me types.  All this fun and healthy lifestyle isn’t for everyone.  Sedentary individuals can be a bit of a downer in the score department.  The powers that analyze this data say factors like inactive people count for double, meaning they may have a bigger impact on the city’s score.

Madison, Wisconsin

It’s known for being an active city with a high number of bike commuters and plenty of people walking to work. Analysts gave extra weight to things like bike lanes and fitness centers. The more options for outdoor activities, the higher a city scores

Madison’s affordable options for fitness, like gyms and sports apparel, probably help it maintain a solid ranking here.

While some of the other budget factors (like the cost of sports clubs or tennis-court rentals) might not make Madison the absolute cheapest, it still offers strong opportunities for people to get involved in fitness and sports.