The Best Cities For Exercise

And The Most Active City Is...

Could where you live affect your desire to be active?

It just might, according to Jeffrey Hallam, Ph.D., the founding director of the University of Mississippi Center for Health Behavior Research. Hallam told Men's Health that the general attitude toward fitness in your hometown might be contagious.

"In Portland, Oregon, many people bicycle or walk everywhere, and there is a social expectation that others should bike or walk," he said. "But in Mississippi, that expectation to be physically active isn't as strong."

His comments were incorporated in a larger survey conducted by Men's Health, who ranked 100 American cities from most to least active, by analyzing local habits in each area, including amount of exercise at home and at gyms, TV watching, video game popularity, as well as CDC data.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, a number of the least-active cities fall in states that also have some of the highest obesity rates in the country, including Arkansas, Mississippi and Alabama.

Click through the slideshow below to see which metropolitan areas came out on top. Then click over to Men's Health to see the full list -- including the worst cities for exercise. Tell us in the comments where your city falls on the list!

The 10 Best Cities For Exercise
10. Aurora, CO(01 of11)
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Last year, Aurora ranked as the ninth healthiest city for men, according to Men's Health. (credit:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Flickr" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5b9d2ba6e4b03a1dcc851ceb" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="24" data-vars-position-in-unit="29">Flickr</a>:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/92438271@N00/309582766" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="denver_flyer" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5b9d2ba6e4b03a1dcc851ceb" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/photos/92438271@N00/309582766" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="25" data-vars-position-in-unit="30">denver_flyer</a>)
9. Oakland, CA(02 of11)
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In addition to making this list, Oakland also ranked highly for having some of the healthiest eaters. (credit:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Flickr" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5b9d2ba6e4b03a1dcc851ceb" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="21" data-vars-position-in-unit="26">Flickr</a>:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59972430@N00/8249986993" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Jack Snell &#x22;Snappy Jack&#x22;" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5b9d2ba6e4b03a1dcc851ceb" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59972430@N00/8249986993" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="22" data-vars-position-in-unit="27">Jack Snell "Snappy Jack"</a>)
8. Madison, WI(03 of11)
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Madison also happens to be one of the healthiest cities for men, ranking second according to Men's Health in 2012. (credit:Alamy)
7. Seattle, WA(04 of11)
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Earlier this year, Seattle was named the tenth best city to lose weight in. (credit:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Flickr" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5b9d2ba6e4b03a1dcc851ceb" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="17" data-vars-position-in-unit="22">Flickr</a>:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23226867@N02/8705206642" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="vibrant_art" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5b9d2ba6e4b03a1dcc851ceb" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23226867@N02/8705206642" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="18" data-vars-position-in-unit="23">vibrant_art</a>)
6. Denver, CO(05 of11)
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Colorado also happens to have the lowest obesity rate in the country, with 18.7 percent of adults considered obese. (credit:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Flickr" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5b9d2ba6e4b03a1dcc851ceb" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="14" data-vars-position-in-unit="19">Flickr</a>:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64418630@N04/7329837086" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="BSC Photography" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5b9d2ba6e4b03a1dcc851ceb" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64418630@N04/7329837086" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="15" data-vars-position-in-unit="20">BSC Photography</a>)
5. St. Paul, MN(06 of11)
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St. Paul was ranked as the ninth healthiest city for women earlier this year. (credit:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Flickr" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5b9d2ba6e4b03a1dcc851ceb" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="11" data-vars-position-in-unit="16">Flickr</a>:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8250364@N03/8462377053" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="jjandames" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5b9d2ba6e4b03a1dcc851ceb" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8250364@N03/8462377053" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="12" data-vars-position-in-unit="17">jjandames</a>)
4. Minneapolis, MN(07 of11)
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A second appearance by Minnesota backs up its fifth-place ranking in the healthiest states of 2012. (credit:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Flickr" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5b9d2ba6e4b03a1dcc851ceb" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="8" data-vars-position-in-unit="13">Flickr</a>:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/62704710@N03/7855193108" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="jtkays" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5b9d2ba6e4b03a1dcc851ceb" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/photos/62704710@N03/7855193108" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="9" data-vars-position-in-unit="14">jtkays</a>)
3. Salt Lake City, UT(08 of11)
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In 2012, Salt Lake City was named to the list of cities with the most gyms and fitness centers in America. (credit:Alamy)
2. Boise, ID(09 of11)
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Boise also happens to be one of the healthiest cities for men. Men's Health ranked it fifth in 2012. (credit:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Flickr" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5b9d2ba6e4b03a1dcc851ceb" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="4" data-vars-position-in-unit="9">Flickr</a>:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36224384@N08/5435227874" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="The Knowles Gallery" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5b9d2ba6e4b03a1dcc851ceb" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36224384@N08/5435227874" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="5" data-vars-position-in-unit="10">The Knowles Gallery</a>)
1. Portland, OR(10 of11)
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Oregon was ranked the 13th healthiest state in the country last year. (credit:Alamy)
Sweden 2011(11 of11)
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(credit:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Flickr" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5b9d2ba6e4b03a1dcc851ceb" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="0" data-vars-position-in-unit="5">Flickr</a>:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/54951409@N00/5507404444" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="gudi&#x26;cris" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5b9d2ba6e4b03a1dcc851ceb" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/photos/54951409@N00/5507404444" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="1" data-vars-position-in-unit="6">gudi&cris</a>)

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