Metro Atlanta outpaces U.S. average for gyms
Why it matters: Gyms offer city dwellers a way to get and stay healthy, and can serve as excellent "third places" — a spot to hang out and connect outside home or work.
By the numbers: Metro Atlanta has 16.5 gyms per 100,000 residents, more than the national average, per government data.
The region is home to more than 1,000 gyms, putting it in the top 25 metros in the country.
Zoom out: Bridgeport, Conn., Boston and San Diego take the crown with at least 20 gyms per 100,000 residents.
How it works: These figures represent "fitness and recreational sports centers" in the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages data for Q3 2024.
Axios looked at metro areas with at least 500,000 residents, for which BLS had sufficient data.
What's next: The latest crop of high-end gyms are setting themselves up as both a place to pump iron and take work meetings — though hopefully not at the same time.
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