TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A new nationwide survey does not give high marks for fitness to many of Florida's most populous cities.
A new study from American Fitness Index surveyed the 50 largest metro areas in the country. Not one Florida city cracked the top half for fittest cities.
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Tampa ranked just outside the top 25 in the survey, coming in at 26th. Jacksonville and Miami were 31st and 32nd, and Orlando was close to the bottom at 43rd.
The American Fitness Index report used factors like smoking, fruit and vegetable consumption and activity levels. It also took into account the number of parks and playgrounds in a city and how schools implement physical education. Washington, D.C., was No. 1.
Former NFL first-round pick and Florida State University standout Ernie Sims opened Big Hits Performance gym to try to improve people’s lives.
"Being healthy, it’s a mindset that helps them in life and in general," Sims said.
One of his clients said she has already seen improvements in just a couple of months.
"I will say that (the survey results are) kind of disappointing, because health and fitness is extremely important, and you can tell (by) the way this industry is growing," Sims said. "But sadly enough, the way the report came out, there is no Florida city that is really that healthy."
Sims said you don’t have to be an NFL player to start improving; just get moving.
Obesity is expected to cost Florida $34 billion in the next 20 years by contributing to various health conditions.