Madison is the third healthiest city in America for men, according to a recent study by Men's Health magazine.
George Twigg, the mayor's spokesperson, said the article comes as no surprise because the city offers numerous ways to stay in shape. He pointed to Mayor Dave Cieslewicz's website, which lists his top priorities: healthy environment, healthy neighborhoods, healthy economy and healthy citizenry.
""Promoting and providing opportunities for a well-balanced life for all Madisonians takes many forms,"" Twigg said. ""And being a healthy population also means being active, recreating, and eating well.""
SERF personal trainer Tim Weiss, 21, said that in the student population, it is actually the women who exercise more. Still, he added many male students do things to stay in shape, for instance, lifting weights.
""We have a really good setup here,"" Weiss said. ""Easy access, special programs [and] fitness classes.""
Kristen Haanstad, personal trainer and fitness instructor at Capitol Fitness, said people should be able to stay fit because of all the options available. She said the number of nearby ski resorts and miles of bike paths are just two examples.
Twigg also cited the city's investment in bike paths and pedestrian safety as things the city has accomplished to remain wellness-friendly. Haanstad agreed that the bike paths are some of the nicest around.
""The upkeep they do on the bike trails in Madison is amazing,"" Haanstad said.
According to the study, Madison trails only San Jose, Calif., and Honolulu. The unhealthiest men in the nation reside in Memphis, Tenn., and Charleston, W.Va. Other local cities in the top 100 include St. Paul, Minn.—ranked No. 15; Chicago—ranked No. 54—and Milwaukee—ranked No. 70.
Weiss said the reason Madison ranks so high is many men start practicing healthy habits in high school. He said he participated in many sports when he was young, but he fell out of shape in college until he began to play intramural soccer on campus. He said going to the SERF forced him to stay routinely active.
""Men who don't lift can usually still find something here—racquetball or basketball or intramurals,"" he said.
Yet, one of the healthiest men in the city does not reside on campus. According to Twigg, Cieslewiscz is a health advocate and takes his health seriously.
""[He's] an avid exerciser—runs a lot, wears a pedometer, uses the stairs, all that stuff,"" Twigg said. ""He tries to set the example.""
