According to the American Fitness Index, Washington is the third healthiest city in the country. (Our next door neighbor, Arlington, is ranked #1.) The scores in the Index are based on everything from healthy activity — like exercise — to the amount of parkland and the number of recreational facilities in each city.
While many Washingtonians exercise in the plethora of sports clubs around town (Yelp counts 379 within the District limits), others take advantage of government buildings to get their cardio and strength training.
Last week, in honor of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s 86th birthday, fans came to the Supreme Court to plank like RBG. Anyone who saw the 2018 documentary RBG knows that Justice Ginsburg has a regular workout routine that includes planking.
At last Friday’s event, sponsored by The Outrage, Justice Ginsburg’s trainer, Bryant Johnson, led dozens of RBG admirers in some birthday planks. Even canines joined in the fun.
RBG fans aren’t the only ones who have seen the exercise potential of the Supreme Court. Each February brings another Cupid’s Undie Run, a scantily clad race that raises funds to find a cure for neurofibromatosis. Runners from previous year’s events found their way to the Supreme Court…
And, the Capitol…
Nor should adults be the only ones to take advantage of the District’s granite and marble gymnasiums. There are a number of studies that show how children benefit from exercise. For example, research from 2014 notes how a bit of running around can improve kids’ cognitive performance. Even better, many kids don’t need much coaxing to start running and jumping, even at the Supreme Court.
