Study finds Cd’A fittest in Idaho

Coeur d’Alene is flexing its muscles today after being crowned Idaho’s Most Fitness-Friendly City.

Insurify out of Massachusetts announced its findings from a nationwide study that measured fitness-related factors, including cities with the highest proportion of residents in careers that demand physical activity, the rate of adults reporting physical activity for their leisure time, access to recreational rentals and the population within walking distance to a park.

Alex Ortega was walking the length of McEuen Park on Wednesday after a brisk hike of Tubbs Hill. He said he wasn’t surprised by the city’s distinction.

“I was about 30 pounds heavier when I first moved here,” the Coeur d’Alene resident of 11 years said, steam escaping his lips into the frigid morning. “The first thing I did after I moved here was go for a walk up the North Idaho Centennial Trail. The fresh air here really motivates you to go outside, you know?”

Coeur d’Alene’s neighbor to the west, Spokane, was listed by Insurify as Washington’s Most Fitness-Friendly City, as well.

“Spring and warm weather are just around the corner,” Alexandra Conza of Insurify said, “and with daylight hours steadily increasing, a growing number of us are eager to spend time outside.”

It’s an axiom that Mary Rose of Coeur d’Alene agreed with.

“Keeping up physical activity is super-important,” Rose said as she took an escape walk along the Centennial Trail by North Idaho College. “I exercise all the time anyway, but if I don’t get this, I’ll be really crabby.”

Rose said she’s had to alter her exercise routine after the coronavirus shuttered gyms and health centers. But she said she felt fortunate those centers offered options to keep her active.

“I’ve been taking these walks probably forever,” the special education pre-school teacher said, “but since this virus happened, I get to do it every day. Plus, the Kroc [Center] offers virtual classes, and I also have a friend who does virtual yoga classes, so that helps.”

Gov. Brad Little’s March 25 stay-home order did not prohibit outdoor exercise, provided participants still practice social distancing. It’s an exemption Ortega said he was happy to see.

“I’d be going nuts staying inside all day, man,” he said. “I’ve got two kids at home, and they’d be driving me insane if I didn’t get out and burn off some of this stress.”