Five, ten, fifteen thousand steps a day? How many steps a day should you really be taking?
The number of steps you should take each day depends on a few things, including your health goals and current fitness level.
How many steps for general health?
Generally speaking, doctors consider those who take less than 5,000 steps per day to be sedentary. With that in mind, most people are encouraged to get at least 10,000 steps in. In fact, the CDC recommends most adults shoot for 10,000 steps per day.
This is the equivalent of about eight kilometers or five miles. And while that may sound like a lot, it’s actually not as difficult as you think. But, remember, these are just guidelines and you should consult with your doctor before making any drastic changes to your routine.
How many steps to lose weight?
If your goal is weight loss, you may need to increase your step count. How many steps you’ll need to take depends on your starting weight and how much weight you want to lose. 10,000 is still a reasonable goal and a great number to reach for. As you get further into your fitness journey, you may be able to increase this number.
As a general rule of thumb, you should aim to burn 500-1,000 calories per day through exercise. This can be accomplished by walking at a moderate pace for about an hour each day.
How many steps to improve fitness?
The number of steps you need to take to improve your fitness level will depend on where you’re starting from. If you’re relatively inactive, aim for 10,000 steps per day. If you’re already active, you may only need to add a few more steps daily.
Alternatively, if you’re training for a race or other event, your coach will likely have specific recommendations for you. But as a general goal, aim to take at least 10,000 steps each day.
Remember, these are just guidelines. Talk to your doctor before making any changes to your routine. And don’t forget to listen to your body. It will let you know when you need to rest and when you can push yourself a little more challenging.
How to Get More Steps Into Your Day
Now that you know how many steps you should shoot for each day, it’s time to increase your step count. Here are a few tips to get you started:
- Take a walk: This is the simplest and most straightforward way to increase your step count. Start by taking a short 10-15 minute walk around your neighborhood. As you get more comfortable, you can increase the length of your walks.
- Park further away: When running errands or going to work, park your car a little further away than usual. This will force you to walk a little further and help you reach your daily step goal.
- Use a pedometer: These are small devices that count the number of steps you take. Wearing one can help you become more aware of your step count and encourage you to walk more. Your phone or watch might also have a built-in pedometer.
- Join a walking group: There are likely walking groups in your community. Joining one can help you make new friends and stay motivated to walk regularly.
- Take the stairs: Whenever possible, take the stairs instead of elevators or escalators. This is an awesome way to sneak in extra steps throughout the day.
Start slowly and increase your step count gradually. By making minor changes to your routine, you’ll be on your way to reaching your daily step goals in no time!
