A Merseyside town has been ranked "fittest" in the UK.
Southport has been labelled a town full of fitness fanatics by looking at the facilities available to those in the area. Forbes Advisor, an advice and news branch of Forbes, has created a top ten list of places in the country that are deemed the fittest.
The table was done by analysing green spaces data from the Ordnance Survey, the number of fitness facilities from Companies House and cycle route data from Sustrans to create an index. The study found that seaside town Southport ranked top, and nowhere else in Merseyside came in the top ten.
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The study also found that more than a quarter of the town is covered by green space. The analysis came as the company looked to find where the fittest areas are as they compare life insurance for those up and down the country.
Kevin Pratt, from Forbes Advisor, commented on the research: "Exercise, for many of us, is its own reward. It helps us feel better, and it gives us the energy and sense of well-being we need to set about our daily lives with a positive attitude. And when it comes to an important product such as life insurance, it can even help us save money.
"When you apply for life insurance, you’ll be asked to provide detailed information about your health and medical history, including your height and weight, how much alcohol you drink, and whether you are a smoker. If the insurance company judges that you're in good shape for your age and have a healthy lifestyle, then generally you'll get a lower premium than someone who is broadly similar to you but who is deemed seriously overweight or who overindulges in alcohol or uses tobacco.
"If you live in an area that has the spaces and facilities to enable you to get plenty of exercise, that's something to celebrate. But even if you aren't, you can hopefully find a safe and enjoyable walking, running or cycling route nearby that will help you stay fit and on top of your game."
