Arlington is for Fitness Lovers

Fitness fan? Arlington has you covered with gyms, workout studios, parks and trails galore — making it the Fittest City in America.

Workout wonks and exercise enthusiasts, rejoice! You can satisfy your every desire to stay fit in Arlington. Opportunities to move abound — from cycling and climbing to hiking and yoga.

It’s not surprising, then, that Arlington has held the title of Fittest City in America every year from 2018 to 2022, according to the American College of Sports Medicine, making it the ultimate destination for all things fitness and wellness. It’s also America’s Most Walkable Suburb and Gold-Level Walk-Friendly Community named by America Walks and a Silver-Level Bicycle-Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists.

Parks and Nature Centers

But that’s not all. It also boasts the Fourth Best Park System in the Nation, according to the Trust for Public Land, with a whopping 157 parks and nature centers to explore. Their sports facilities, hiking and biking trails, playgrounds and lovely green spaces make it easy to stay in shape. Plus, you can play every sport imaginable, including baseball, basketball, handball, pickleball, soccer, tennis, volleyball — and even bocce, disc golf, futsal and horseshoes. No wonder Arlington is for #fitnesslovers.

Gyms and Fitness Studios

With a variety of gyms and fitness studios — from boxing to yoga — there's nothing quite like working out here. Whether you're looking for a new challenge with a CrossFit class or a low-key workout at a yoga studio — with or without goats — Arlington has something for you. Attend one of our many unique neighborhood workout classes.

Swim into shape at the world-class Long Bridge Park Aquatics & Fitness Center with Arlington’s only Olympic-sized pool (accessible to many hotel guests) and a waterfront esplanade with dramatic views of DC. Scale the climbing walls at Movement that cover more than an acre. Rev your heart rate at Praxi Pilates or move to the music — hip-hop, soca and afrobeat, that is — with high-intensity routines at Fete Fitness. Get into the fighting spirit at BASH Boxing or Pentagon MMA.

Hiking and Biking

Getting around on foot or on two wheels is second nature for many Arlingtonians — and easy for visitors, too.

Ride, run, hike or stroll through forests, over streams and past scenic vistas on Arlington's 17 trails. Create your own sightseeing tour along miles of pedestrian-friendly sidewalks, mixed-use paths and quiet residential streets using ideas from two advocacy groups, BikeArlington and WalkArlington. The latter’s “Walkabouts” offer 20 different paths in different urban neighborhoods, each with different terrain, distance and sites of interest.

Bike along Washington & Old Dominion Trail’s 45 miles through the urban heartland and countryside of Northern Virginia. Or set out on two wheels on the 18-mile Mount Vernon Trail from Rosslyn all the way to George Washington’s home at Mount Vernon. It provides access to the region’s extensive network of bike paths and offers opportunities for two-wheeled tours of local monuments.

Hoof it on the wooded Trail at Lubber Run Park, where an amphitheater rewards you with summer performances. Pack a picnic for the paved Four Mile Run Trail. Or take on the Arlington Loop, a 16-mile route with scenic views of the Washington, DC, skyline, Reagan National Airport and much more.

Running

Visiting Arlington for work or pleasure? There’s no need to give up your daily running routine. Especially because Arlington has so many attractive trails, paths and streets with interesting sights around every corner.

Track runners head to the Washington-Lee High School, whose track is open to the public before and after school hours, and is lit late into the evening. The high school is right by the Custis Trail, which offers great rolling hills. For a smoother run, try the Washington and Old Dominion Trail (W&OD), which was created on top of an old railroad line, so it has no dramatic inclines.

If you’re feeling really ambitious, go for the paved Arlington Loop, a mashup of four trails — the Custis Trail, Four Mile Run, Mount Vernon Trail and W&OD — all linking together for a 16-miler.

Forgot your shoes? Not to worry. The pros at Pacers Running Stores, Arlington’s largest and most respected running specialty store in Clarendon and Westpost at National Landing, can hook you up with the gear you need and provide trail advice.

Who says running has to be a solo sport? Join one of the group runs in the area, such as the 5k run to Theodore Roosevelt Island every Saturday morning. Participate in the Army Ten-Miler or the Marine Corps Marathon, annual Arlington-based races that are sure to inspire you. Throughout April, Pacers Running Stores present Crystal Run 5K Fridays, a fun race series where participants get together afterwards for good times.

All of the trails in Arlington are designed for bikers, hikers and runners, so be considerate of others along the path.

Boating

Get your workout on the water as you canoe, kayak or paddleboard. Just a short walk across Key Bridge from Rosslyn, the Key Bridge Boathouse provides rentals and classes and guided tours.