Actions by communities and government can influence whether regular physical activity is an easy choice. Communities can provide many opportunities for physical activity, such as walking trails, bicycle lanes on roads, sidewalks, and sports fields. Organizations in the community have a role to play as well. Schools, places of worship, worksites, and community centers can provide opportunities and encouragement for physical activity.

"Communities can provide many opportunities for physical activity, such as walking trails, bicycle lanes on roads, sidewalks, and sports fields."

To be effective, physical activity promotion efforts should use an “evidence-based” approach. The CDC’s Guide to Community Preventive Services has reviewed many community-level approaches to promote physical activity, including these five strongly recommended strategies:

1. Community-wide campaigns that combine physical activity messaging (distributed through television, newspapers, radio, and other media) with activities such as physical activity counseling, community health fairs, and the development of walking trails.
2. Point-of-decision prompts to encourage stair use. These are signs placed at points where people make the decision either to use the stairs or to use an elevator or escalator. The signs encourage the active option of stair use.
3. Physical education classes to increase activity. Physical education classes should use a curriculum that increases the amount of time students are active during class.
4. Approaches that increase the reach of individual-level interventions. For example, evidence-based, individual-level interventions can reach more people when they are delivered in group settings or over the telephone.
5. Interventions that increase social support for physical activity. These interventions start or enhance social-support networks, and include efforts such as organizing a buddy system (two or more people who set regular times to do physical activity together), walking groups, and community dances.
6. Programs to create or enhance access to places to be physically active. This can include building walking trails and providing public access to school gymnasiums, playgrounds, or community centers. This also includes worksite activity programs that provide access to onsite or offsite fitness rooms, walking breaks, or other opportunities to engage in physical activity. Interventions to improve access should also include outreach that increases awareness of the opportunity to be active.