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Getting a Big Apple dream body takes a bite out of your budget.
That’s according to new data about the most expensive American cities to stay active. New City is ranked as number three.
It’s no surprise given New York’s exorbitant costs of living, much less living well. Be it a $15,000 membership to NYC’s ultra luxe label supermarket, a $15,000 liposuction procedure, or a $100,000 access fee to Manhattan’s most exclusive wellness club, eating clean and looking strong comes at a premium.
“New York is already an expensive place to live, so it’s not surprising to see fitness costs stack up quickly here,” said Carl Borg, founder of Bespoke Fit, an online personal training platform. “What stands out is that the basics alone, such as gym access, healthier groceries, protein shakes, and replacing running shoes come to nearly $394 a month.”
It’s yet another big bill atop the mountainous cost of calling the concrete jungle home.
From landlords demanding roughly $5,125 in monthly rental charges to the $19,500 “singles tax” unmarried Gothamites pay just to cover their annual overhead, it’s tough for most city dwellers to afford a premium gym membership and celebrity-endorsed fruit shakes.
While New York City took the bronze medal in the top 3 roundup of most expensive cities for staying active, two California-based locales secured the gold and silver trophies.
San Francisco ranked first in the running thanks to its $427 monthly fitness costs. Another Golden State city, San Jose, landed the second place spot on the podium, boasting an average monthly fitness cost of $412.
To calculate the literal sweat equity in each city, experts compared four common fitness-related expenses for a single active adult: gym membership, a seven-item healthy food basket, 12 protein shakes per month, and the annual cost of one pair of running shoes.
But the investigators didn’t account for expensive exercise and dieting extras — such as specialized workout classes like pilates, app fees, gym gear like yoga mats and cycling shoes, and accessories like grip socks — which often inflate fitness costs.
It’s true that New Yorkers get more free exercise than the average American: In 2024, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene reported that the average Gothamite walks 6,000 to 10,000 steps a day — nearly thee times the national average.
But sadly, sprinting for the 2 train during one’s daily commute isn’t sufficient when it comes to leading a healthy and active lifestyle. In fact, trending research finds that adults should get between 560 and 610 minutes — approximately 10 hours — of moderate to vigorous physical activity each week to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Which means folks in the five boroughs and beyond have to pay up… or get creative with alternative exercise plans like Shape Up NYC’s summer program.
“For a lot of New Yorkers,” said Borg, “the challenge is not motivation, it’s finding a routine that fits their budget and still feels realistic enough to stick with.”
“The good news is that staying active doesn’t have to mean buying into every fitness trend,” he assured the Post. “Walking more, using parks and outdoor space, choosing a no-frills gym, and keeping meals simple can still make a real difference without turning health into another major monthly bill.”
Here’s a look at the top 10 most expensive cities for staying active.
- 1. San Francisco, CA — $426.52
- 2. San Jose,CA — $412.03
- 3. New York, NY — $393.81
- 4. Washington, DC — $382.22
- 5. Los Angeles, CA — $336.43
- 6. Boston, MA — $325.61
- 7. Seattle, WA — $322.79
- 8. Miami, FL — $321.07
- 9. Philadelphia, PA — $319.11
- 10. Oakland, CA — $313.46
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