New Yorkers on the Move

Lindsey Realmuto is co-author, along with Elisa Fisher, MPH, of the Academy’s new report on what New Yorkers want and need to stay active.

I've always been an exercise nut. I started young, playing basketball. In high school, I ran cross country to stay in shape and in college, I played ultimate frisbee and continued long distance running. Recently I've gotten into boxing, cycling and swimming, and last summer, I competed in my first triathlon and managed to finish in one piece.

So, naturally, when I moved to New York City (NYC) two years ago, one of my first questions was: where’s the local, affordable, gym? I was delighted to find the Metropolitan Recreation Center, part of the NYC Parks and Recreation system, where there is an indoor pool, cardio and weight rooms, fitness classes, and the yearly membership is $150 (that's right, annually, not monthly). I soon found other NYC recreation centers with great classes like Zumba, martial arts and boxing.

I also discovered the centers were filled with New Yorkers of all ages and backgrounds. Unlike many pricey gyms, they also did a pretty good job of offering exercise options for people with disabilities and special cultural needs—like women-only swim hours. I noticed because my other passion is public health.

I am a co-author, along with Elisa Fisher, MPH, MSW, of the new Academy report, “Physical Activity: NYC on the Move.” It’s based on research from a unique, large-scale community health needs assessment (CNA) conducted in several low-income NYC communities in 2014. For the CNA, we reached out to nearly 3,000 people. We learned that while some New Yorkers still face challenges exercising, many live very active lives.

One of my favorite memories from the focus groups was talking with a group of older adults about their favorite workout.

“[In the line dancing class] we take one break in the middle of the session for a couple of minutes to get some water or whatever, and then we just keep going. And if anybody feels they can’t, they’ll sit down for a few minutes. But it’s just constant.  We work up a sweat. We really do. And it’s great.” (Focus Group Participant, Queens)

Dance classes are just a few of the offerings at city recreation centers and community organizations. Other programs include Bronx Health REACH’s Fine, Fit and Fabulous and the Jackson Heights Green Alliance’s 78^th Street Play Street. Initiatives like these are featured in the recently published DASH-NYC report Interventions for Healthy Eating and Active Urban Living: A Guide for Community Health,

It seems NYC’s urban environment also helps people stay fit, whether it’s getting to and from public transportation or carrying groceries. One Brooklyn focus group participant said:

“I don't per se, exercise ... I'm always walking, and I realize that's exercise; walking, climbing stairs.”

Get Fit Options for Everyone

There’s lots of good news, but more needs to be done to help New Yorkers stay active. Many told us that recreation centers and fitness programs in their communities were of poor quality or too expensive, or that perpetual violence makes parks too unsafe for exercise. Others cited stress,  limited time and energy as barriers to working out. As one Bronx resident explained:

”… I believe that a lot of people in the neighborhood are aware of physical activity and the importance of [it], but … I think with having to work two jobs, it limits my ability to work out … but I’m trying.” (Focus Group Participant, Bronx]

In “Physical Activity: NYC on the Move,” New Yorkers not only tell us how they stay active, but also what changes they would like to see to make physical activity a reality for everyone.

The report, like the others in the “City Voices: New Yorkers on Health” series (“Transgender: Speaking Out for Better Care” and “Mental Health: Context Matters”) is part of the Academy’s effort to use research and evaluation to inform policy to improve health and well-being.  Upcoming installments in the series will cover the health challenges faced by older adults and recent immigrants to the city, and healthy eating.