Regardless of religious preferences, Samir Becic and the Health Fitness Revolution Team have made a list of the Top 10 Fittest Churches in America. We’ve researched all the possible data that was available on over 1,000 churches and what they offer their members. We’ve complied a list of the different churches in America and narrowed it down from 250, to 150, to 100, to 50, and finally to 10 fittest churches in America.
We used a combination of interviews, internet, library, industry literature, and Samir Becic’s knowledge of over 25 years in athletics coupled with his experience as a four-time No. 1 Fitness Trainer in the World.
“Spiritual awareness is one of the key components of healthy lifestyle that impacts the whole body and rejuvenates the spirit. Physical fitness and healthy nutrition allows that spirit to flourish to new dimensions and many people experience a closer relationship to God.” – Samir Becic
“The Mega-Churches of today hold a strong influence on the general opinion of mainstream America. Followers look for daily guidance from pastors and heads of ministries on the best way to live their lives and raise their families. It is enormously important to provide the churches with the correct knowledge on fitness and proper nutrition so they can influence and better their members lives.”-Samir Becic
Lakewood Church – Houston, TX
- Attendance: 43,500
- Members: 45,000
- Offers yearly Total Life Challenge (currently in fourth year) class for complete physical fitness and inner peace.
- Provides strength and conditioning class
- Zumba class
- Nutritional classes
- Has a basketball court
- One of the first mega challenges with fitness expert Samir Becic
- Pastor Joel Osteen is very fit himself, and by appointing Samir Becic as head of Health and Fitness is trying to make a point that fitness is an important factor in the Church.
- Has many trainers to expand healthy lifestyle choices to all of the congregation.
- Invites many fitness experts to participate in discussions
- Many pastors from the church are very fit and health conscious
- Both Pastors Joel and Victoria Osteen made out list of the top 10 Fittests Pastors of America
- They do many promotions with their members can buy health products at an affordable price.
Second Baptist Church – Houston, TX
- Attendance: 23,659
- Gym
- Personal trainers
- Fitness classes include: core conditioning, interval, TRX, bootcamp, aerobics, Spin, foam roller.
- Indoor and outdoor track
- Whirlpool and sauna in locker rooms
- Full size weight room and plenty of cardio equipment
- Sports leagues
Willowcreek Community Church – South Barrington, IL
- Attendance: 22,500
- Has a sports ministry that runs several Fall, Winter, and Spring leagues, including co-ed volleyball, women’s basketball, and men’s flag football
- During the Summer, they offer weekly sand volleyball pick-up games, running clubs, and yoga groups
- Tae Kwon Do classes meet year-round
LifeChurch.TV – Edmond, OK
- Attendance: 20,823
- Employees receive quarterly reimbursements for gym memberships, sporting fees, fitness equipment, and more
- Partners with Compassion International’s Child Survival Programs, which provides parents with education about various things, including health and nutrition
- Also partners with The Chalmer Center, which teaches people about managing their businesses, households, and health
Saddleback Church – Lake Forest, CA
- Attendance: 23632
- Installed an outdoor fitness course on its property that is free for the community to use
- The half-mile course includes five stations, featuring a variety of equipment designed to target different muscle groups
- Pastor Rick Warren wrote the book “Daniel Plan: 40 Days to a Healthier Life”
- The Daniel Plan is a healthy lifestyle program that shows how the powerful combination of Faith, Food, Fitness, Focus, and Friends can change your health forever
- The Daniel Plan Health initiative now influences hundreds of churches across America
- Hosts an annual Daniel Plan Health & Fitness Rally, the most recent being in January 2015
- Hosted the Daniel Plan Fun Walk & Run
- Has a Sports and Fitness ministry, which organizes recreation, leisure, and sports activities to benefit participants’ physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health (examples include: softball, basketball, soccer, golf, badminton, cycling, surfing, hiking, fitness, youth sports, prison sports, karate, tennis, and sports clinics)
- Has the Saddleback Organic Garden Ministry, which aims to grow organic produce that will be distributed to needy families
- Lead Pastor Rick Warren made 2 of our lists: Top 10 Fittest Pastors in America and Top 10 Fittest Christian Leaders
Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale – Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Attendance: 18,000
- Has an on-site restaurant (The Grill) that offers healthy menu items
- Calvary Sports exists to make disciples by connecting people with a passion for sports/fitness and a passion for Jesus
- Offers 17 fitness classes for men and women, including strength and conditioning, Zumba, core stretch, indoor cycling, power cardio, kickboxing, and more
- Also offers youth and adult sports programs
The Potter’s House – Dallas, TX
- Attendance: 17,000
- Pastor T.D. Jakes has been at the forefront of the health crusade in the black church
- Has a Health Ministry
- God’s Leading Ladies Life Enrichment Program includes physical fitness and healthy habits as part of the curriculum
- The Medical Ministry consists of health care professionals and lay individuals dedicated to promoting health awareness, safety, and health maintenance in the church and community
- Partnered with the YMCA, the American Heart Association, and Walgreens to host the Walkin’ and Rollin’ For Life Event in 2012
- The event promoted exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle at any age and included a 5K walk/run/bike ride followed by a health expo
Southeast Christian Church – Louisville, KY
- Attendance: 16,264
- Has a Sports and Fitness Center, a 64,000+ square-foot facility and resource for the development of overall health
- The indoor area includes basketball courts, volleyball courts, racquetball courts, a suspended walking track, and group fitness rooms
- The outdoor area includes baseball fields, softball fields, soccer fields, sand volleyball courts, and a walking track
- The Sports and Fitness Ministry offers many programs that encourage participants to stay fit and connect with others through fitness; programs include seasonal Boot Camp classes, mini marathon training, and group fitness classes
- The Ministry also offers a variety of youth and adult sports
Hopewell Missionary Baptist – Norcross, GA
- Attendance: 16,000
- Has a Fitness and Wellness Center on campus with the purpose of providing creative and meaningful fitness activities for members in a Christian environment
- The Music, Worship, and Creative arts ministry includes dance
- Has a Health Ministry; its mission is to educate the congregation and surrounding community about living a healthy lifestyle and choosing healthy behaviors
- Has a Recreation and Athletics ministry, which makes athletics and recreational activities available to both youth and adults
- Hopewell has made efforts to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS in the black community
New Birth Missionary Baptist – Lithonia, GA
- Attendance: 15,000
- Held a “Go Red” Sunday in February to bring awareness to the importance of “Heart Health” in the community
- New Birth Student Ministries involve arts, sports, community service, business, and education
- Held a “Diabetes Day” in 2009 in which members of the congregation participated in diabetes screenings and attended information sessions following Sunday services
- At the event, pastor Eddie Long said, “We can take steps to reduce our risk – like eating healthier foods and exercising regularly”
- Has a fitness center on campus
- Held a fitness webinar in June 2010 that addressed how to live long, live strong, and live well by making a few adjustments to your daily habits
To read more about fitness and churches, read our articles below:
