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Coronary artery disease (CAD) is an immune-mediated disease in which CCR2 attracts classical, intermediate, and non-classical monocytes to the arterial intima where they differentiate to macrophages. Balance between pro-inflammatory M1 and anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages contributes to CAD prevention. Moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) elicits an immune response and reduces the incidence of CAD, however, the impact of prior MVPA on monocyte subset CCR2 expression and macrophage polarization following acute exercise is unknown. Purpose To determine the impact of physical activity status on monocyte subset CCR2 surface expression and macrophage polarization in response to an acute bout of moderate intensity cycle ergometry. Methods 24 healthy women and men (12 high physically active [HIACT]: ≥1500 METmin/wk MVPA & 12 low physically active [LOACT], Highlights • Exercise reduces intermediate monocyte CCR2 in high physically active subjects. • M2 macrophages are preserved in high active and reduced in low active subjects. • Exercise increases the percentage of classical monocytes. • Non-classical monocyte CCR2 expression is associated with macrophage polarization.