FROM searching for a nearby gym to training for a marathon or joining a Zumba class, online searches offer a glimpse into how Filipinos approach fitness. A new study by Muse analyzed fitness-related Google searches across the Philippines to identify which regions show the strongest commitment to healthy living.
Top Philippine Regions Most Committed to Fitness
- Metro Manila
- Central Visayas
- Davao Region
- Central Luzon
- CALABARZON
- Western Visayas
- Northern Mindanao
- Cordillera Administrative Region
- Ilocos Region
- 10.Caraga
1. Metro Manila
Metro Manila ranks first overall, generating approximately 2,390 monthly fitness-related searches per capita. It is the only region to exceed the 2,300 mark, reflecting consistently high interest in fitness and healthy living. The region also led four of the six categories analyzed, demonstrating broad interest in everything from everyday fitness and endurance training to strength training and nutrition.
2. Central Visayas
Central Visayas places second with around 2,290 monthly fitness-related searches per capita, trailing Metro Manila by fewer than 100 searches. While narrowly missing the top spot overall, it ranked first in Group Fitness and Home & Workout Planning, highlighting particularly strong interest in fitness classes, home exercise, and structured workout routines.
3. Davao Region
Davao Region ranks third with approximately 1,840 monthly fitness-related searches per capita, making it the highest-ranked region in Mindanao. Rather than leading a single category, it consistently ranked among the country’s top performers across cardio and endurance, group fitness, nutrition, and home workout planning, reflecting broad engagement with fitness.
4. Central Luzon
Central Luzon claims fourth place with roughly 1,690 monthly fitness-related searches per capita. Although it did not top any individual category, it finished among the top five across all six categories, making it one of the country’s most consistently fitness-focused regions.
5. CALABARZON
CALABARZON rounds out the top five with around 1,640 monthly fitness-related searches per capita. The region ranked among the country’s strongest performers in General Fitness and Strength & Conditioning, while also posting high search activity across the remaining categories, pointing to well-rounded interest in maintaining an active lifestyle.
Different Regions, Different Fitness Priorities
The category rankings show that the country’s most fitness-focused regions don’t all pursue fitness in the same way. Metro Manila dominated searches related to everyday fitness, endurance, strength training, and nutrition, while Central Visayas led the country in group fitness and home workout planning. Meanwhile, Davao Region and Central Luzon distinguished themselves through consistently strong performances across multiple categories, suggesting that fitness interest extends well beyond a single type of workout or training style.
Regions with the Lowest Fitness Search Interest
At the other end of the rankings, BARMM recorded the lowest level of fitness-related search interest, generating around 290 monthly searches per capita, compared with 2,390 in Metro Manila. It was followed by the Bicol Region with approximately 600 searches, and SOCCSKSARGEN with around 630. While residents in these regions still searched for fitness-related topics, overall online interest was considerably lower than in the country’s highest-ranked regions.
“The rankings show that fitness looks different across the country,” said a spokesperson for Muse. “Some regions excelled in strength training and nutrition, while others led in group fitness or home workout planning. Those differences highlight how fitness interests vary from region to region, rather than following a single national pattern.”
Methodology
Muse analyzed Google search interest across the Philippines using Google Keyword Planner regional data and 27 fitness-related keywords grouped into six categories:
- General Fitness – everyday fitness and gym-related topics
- Cardio & Endurance – endurance-based exercise
- Strength & Conditioning – resistance and performance training
- Group Fitness – instructor-led and social workouts
- Fitness Goals & Nutrition – nutrition and weight management
- Home & Workout Planning – home exercise and workout routines
Search volume data covers the period from June 2025 to May 2026. Search volumes were normalized on a per 100,000 residents basis to account for differences in regional population, then combined into a composite score to produce the final rankings.
Although the Philippines currently has 18 administrative regions, Google Keyword Planner does not yet provide separate regional data for the Negros Island Region. Search activity for the Negros Island Region is therefore reflected within Western Visayas and Central Visayas under Google’s current regional reporting.
Photo by Arthur Tseng on Unsplash
