Stephen deMontmollin is a Miami native who enjoys keeping fit and staying active. In the following article, Stephen deMontmollin journeys through sun-soaked streets and beachside workouts to uncover the secrets behind Miami's passionate embrace of fitness. In Miami, health becomes a vibrant expression of the city's spirit and a celebration of a life lived in motion.
The city of Miami has the highest number of residents who exercise at least once a week, about 80 percent of its population. More than 56 percent also engage in exercise for at least 90 minutes weekly, according to Mindbody.
The Magic City also claimed the 35th spot in the
Annual Fitness Index, mainly due to its high number of residents who regularly exercise, numerous recreational facilities, and low smoking rate.
Overall, the city’s balance of healthy behaviors and community infrastructure were the top reasons it ranked high on the index. “Most of Miami’s population is meeting the activity guidelines,” says Barbara Ainsworth, chair of the American Fitness Index Board.
Stephen deMontmollin takes a look at Miami’s most popular and unique fitness trends, from outdoor activities and group workouts to exercise routines that cater to the city's vibrant and active community.
Stephen deMontmollin Highlights Popular Fitness Trends in Miami
Miami is a vibrant city known for its beautiful beaches, stunning skyline views, good food, eclectic arts, and upbeat nightlife, making it a top tourist destination for many. However, in recent years, it has become also recognized as one of the best places to stay fit and active.
This diverse city has a young and active population that engages in various fitness activities all year round, all while enjoying great weather. Miami boasts numerous picturesque beaches like South Beach, North Beach, and Surfside, so sunbathing, swimming, and watersports are among the locals’ favorite activities.
Stephen deMontmollin says that walking, running, biking, hiking, camping, canoeing, and kayaking are also quite popular activities, as the city is full of public nature trails and parks. The city houses Everglades National Park, Biscayne National Park, Big Cypress National Preserve, and several other nature destinations.
Miami provides countless opportunities for residents and visitors alike to stay healthy and fit, and the city’s fitness community itself is especially active. Here are their most popular fitness activities:
Strength Training
Strength training, or resistance training, is currently the most popular form of exercise among Miamians. According to ClassPass, one of the largest health club aggregators, reservations for strength training have seen a significant boost compared to the previous year, with an increase of
48 percent.
Aside from strength training, weightlifting, circuit training, and High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) are also frontrunners. Stephen deMontmollin notes that Miami has plenty of strength training studios and classes for both locals and visitors. One can even do their workout by the beach – an assortment of strength training equipment with ropes, pull-up bars, and squat racks sit right on the sand!
Yoga and Pilates
Aside from physical fitness, Miamians also highly prioritize their overall health and wellness. In fact, a Healthline
survey found that 84 percent of Americans give priority to their health and wellness, and Miami residents accounted for the biggest group that cared most about their health.
More than 93 percent of Miamians said health and wellness are their highest priority, while 86 percent said wellness is their way of life. Stephen deMontmollin says it’s no surprise that mind-body workouts like yoga and Pilates are top favorite fitness activities in this city.
Recently, fitness enthusiasts have also shown interest in exploring highly specialized workouts or sub-genres like aerial yoga.
There are countless yoga studios and yoga classes located across the city. Even Miami Beach has its own collection of yoga sessions where yogis can practice by the shore.
Dance
Stephen deMontmollin also points out that this vibrant town has a popular dance scene. ClassPass says that dance is twice as popular in Miami as it is in other cities in the United States. Dance-based group workouts are all the rage in the city, including hip-hop sessions, Zumba, salsa, and infused movement with music.
ClassPass recommends dance studios such as The House of Movement, Body & Soul Miami, and Vixen Workout Miami for some fun dance workouts.
Conclusion
Stephen deMontmollin says that anyone looking to have a good workout should consider visiting the neighborhoods of South Beach, Wynwood/Edgewater, or Brickell, which are considered to be the essential fitness hubs of the city where its fitness markets are fairly centralized.
Miami not only provides numerous opportunities for both locals and visitors to stay fit and active, but the city also has a supportive community that helps encourage others to start a healthy lifestyle.
