LOCAL
How fit is Cape Coral? New ranking out for America’s Fittest Cities
Mark H. BickelFort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News
July 21, 2026, 5:02 a.m. ET
- Cape Coral has been named one of America’s fittest cities for 2026, ranking 62nd out of 100.
- The city scored well for personal health but ranked low for its community and environmental infrastructure.
- The annual fitness index is released by the American College of Sports Medicine and the Elevance Health Foundation.
- Tampa was the highest-ranked Florida city at number 37, with several other state cities also on the list.
Cycling. Pickleball. Running. Paddling. Walking. Golf
Take your pick. There are numerous options for people who live in or visit Cape Coral to stay fit throughout the year. And it’s what helps put Cape Coral on America’s fittest cities list for 2026, although the SW Florida city considered one of the fast-growing locations in the U.S. is in the lower half of the rankings
This is according to the Fittest Cities in America rankings just released by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) fitness index and the Elevance Health Foundation
According to a press release, for 19 years, the Elevance Health Foundation has partnered with the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) to deliver this vital resource to help advance healthier communities. The Fitness Index has become a trusted and influential tool, helping communities understand the physical, behavioral, and social drivers of health, including access to food, care, and safe environments, while equipping advocates and city leaders with the data and insights needed to inspire meaningful change.
What is the ACSM fitness index?
The Fitness Index evaluates the 100 largest cities in the United States to understand how communityenvironments support active living and overall health. The Index combines measures of personal healthbehaviors, chronic disease outcomes, community infrastructure, and environmental factors to provide acomprehensive picture of how well cities promote fitness and well-being
In addition to examining rankings and community re activity, asthma, and air quality
“Regular physical activity provides important health benefits for individuals living with asthma, but environmental conditions such as air pollution can influence when and where people feel comfortable being active. Together, these findings reinforce how communities shape opportunities for healthy living,” the press release said
Where is Cape Coral ranked on America’s Fittest Cities list?
Cape Coral is No. 62 out of the 100 cities that are ranked in the 2026 analysis
Year-over-year there was no change in Cape’s ranking
In the personal health category ranking, Cape scored a ranking of 37 out of the 100 cities. But in the category for community/environmental ranking, it was one of the lowest ranked at No. 91
Regarding the community/environmental category, the press release explained:
This year the Fitness Index included two updates to provide a more comprehensive picture of local spacesfor recreation and active living. These changes better align the indicators with how cities plan, manage,and fund recreation assets
The indicator previously measuring parks per 10,000 residents was replaced with parks as a percentage ofcity area. City officials have more control over the share of land dedicated to parks within a city versus theshifts in population changes
The indicator previously measuring ball diamonds per 10,000 residents was expanded to outdoor athleticfields per 10,000 residents. This update captures a wider range of field types, including soccer, softball,football, and multi-use athletic fields that are increasingly common in urban parks. By broadening thismeasure, the Fitness Index better reflects the many ways communities support physical activity
What other Florida cities appear in America’s Fittest Cities ranking?
Tampa takes the top spot (No. 37) followed by Miami (No. 39). Other cities ranked are: St. Peterburg (No. 45), Orlando (No. 64), Jacksonville (No. 84) and Port St. Lucie (No. 98)
What are America’s Fittest Cities?
Arlington, Virginia continued its long-standing position as the nation’s fittest city for 2026, reflecting strongperformance across multiple indicators including physical activity levels, access to parks and recreationalfacilities, and supportive transportation infrastructure
Washington, D.C., Minneapolis, Seattle, and Denver round out the top five cities in this year’s rankings
