Did Hagerstown rank in survey for most healthiest, fit cities in the US?

HAGERSTOWN, Md. (DC News Now) — A national survey ranked nearby cities, such as Washington, D.C. and Arlington, to be among the most physically fit, but where does that leave Hagerstown?

The survey looked at health and fitness resources in the nation’s largest metropolitan areas. But smaller communities, like Hagerstown in western Maryland, pay close attention to what makes for a healthy and fit community.

This is the 18th year the American College of Sports Medicine and Elevance Health Foundation have released its Fitness Index, a measure of a metropolitan area’s health metrics.

For the eighth straight year, Arlington and the District are at the top of the list, based on three-dozen indicators such as healthy eating habits, smoking rates and the availability of recreational resources.

While Hagerstown is not a large enough metropolitan area to be included in the college survey, the city’s parks and recreation team closely tracks the survey’s metrics.

Amy Riley is recreation supervisor of the city’s parks and recreation department.

“We program fitness levels for all ages, activities all year long,” Riley said. “Keeping people moving is our goal.”

At Hagerstown’s brand new Field House, Tom West pumps iron and warmly embraces the recreational resources in the city.

“You see kids playing basketball, soccer around here,” West said. “It’s really nice to see so many things happening.”

Logann Braun coordinates athletic leagues at the field house and says that games of “soccer, lacrosse, basketball, volleyball and flag football” are constant.

“All this just helps promote physical activity,” Braun said.

Julie Redding is general manager at the field house and said Hagerstown has strongly supported the recreational resources.

“This gym is filled every night of the week,” Redding said. “Whether it’s events, leagues or just general drop-ins.”