More Americans are taking part in sports and exercise than ever before. According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, 250 million Americans aged six and older did at least one sport, fitness, or leisure activity in 2025. This was the highest number since the organization began collecting this information. (sfia.org)
The trend continued in 2026. During the 12 months ending in June 2026, 81.3% of Americans participated in at least one of 126 activities. The percentage of inactive people fell to a record low of 18.7%. Team sports grew especially quickly, with basketball, flag football, and baseball attracting more participants. Soccer also became more popular during the 2026 World Cup. (sfia.org)
However, these numbers do not mean that most Americans exercise regularly. A person may be counted as active even if they only took part in an activity occasionally. Health experts recommend that adults do at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise, such as fast walking, each week. In 2024, only 47.2% of American adults met this guideline. Younger adults were more likely to exercise enough than people aged 65 and older. (cdc.gov)
Cost is another problem. About 27% of active people said that personal costs had affected how they participated. Gym fees, equipment prices, and other expenses have increased, making some activities difficult to continue. (sfia.org)
Still, the record numbers are encouraging. Exercise does not always require an expensive gym or special equipment. Walking, running, home workouts, and community sports can be reasonable choices. If more people make exercise a regular part of daily life, the United States may become not only more active, but also healthier.










