Why 10,000 steps a day may not be enough to stay fit – CNET

We all know that getting daily exercise is important and our fitness trackers have long been coaxing us to walk 10,000 steps every day. But does that number really mean anything for your health?

While this can be a helpful way to view your daily activity (since technically you don’t have to spend an hour in the gym every day to “be active”) is it really the best way to measure activity?  

Yes, the small everyday things you do to move more each day matter. For example, choosing to walk to work, parking farther away or taking the stairs does count towards your activity and it’s great that our tech can help us see that. But are there any real health benefits to getting your 10,000 steps each day? And does how you get them really matter? What about the other workouts you do that don’t give you more steps? Keep reading to find out what science and the experts have to say.  

Why 10,000 steps a day isn’t one-size-fits-all

Since everyone is different and has a unique lifestyle, activity level and goals, it makes sense that not everyone will need the same amount of exercise each day to be healthy. Part of this comes down to each person’s individual goals and health concerns. But, for the average person, is 10,000 steps a day really enough to be considered active and healthy? It can be a great goal and starting place, according to professor Paul Gordon, an exercise physiologist and chair of Baylor University’s Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation. 

“The average person is going to take between 3,000 and 6,000 steps over the course of the day from commuting, shopping, etc. By adding 30 minutes of exercise (approximately 3,000 steps) that gets us to around 10,000 steps,” Gordan said. He also added that when it comes to walking, more is better for your health. 

So what if you aren’t just walking for exercise (or even tracking your steps at all), how much exercise do you really need? According to the Department of Health and Human Services you need at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity (such as brisk walking or swimming) or 75 minutes of vigorous activity (such as running or dance cardio class) every week. The DHHS also recommends doing strength-training exercise (such as lifting weights, or doing exercises that use your own bodyweight) twice a week. 

Keep in mind if your goal is to lose weight, maintain weight loss or meet other specific fitness goals, you may need to exercise more than the standard 150 minutes to reach your goal. 

Where did 10,000 steps a day come from? 

The 10,000-step recommendation has been mainstream for some time, but have you ever wondered where it originally came from? While you might expect the recommendation emerged from a medical source or government health agency, it turns out that’s not the case at all.

At a recent talk at the fitness industry event, Movement by Michelob Ultra in Austin, sports medicine physician Dr. Jordan Metzl called out that the 10,000 steps number is arbitrary. The number has roots that you can trace back to a Japanese walking club that adopted the term as part of a marketing slogan. 

A JAMA Internal Medicine article also points out that there is “limited scientific basis” to back up the claim that taking 10,000 steps a day is necessary for health. But the study did find that the participants who took more steps per day (over a four-year period) had a lower mortality rate than those who took fewer steps. 

The best way to track your daily activity 

If you have a Fitbit, Apple Watch or other smart watch, you know that these devices can track much more than just your steps. And while tracking total steps and the distance you walk each day is helpful, can other factors be a more effective way to measure your activity? According to Gordan, steps aren’t the best measurement of physical activity. “It does not take into account intensity of activity and is not effective for forms of non-weight-bearing activity (i.e. cycling).”

Since steps can’t account for your level of intensity, Gordan recommends also using a heart rate monitor to help you gauge exercise intensity. After all, you could technically get 10,000 steps in a day without really elevating your heart rate or keeping it up for long. “I would encourage engaging in weekly activities that will increase heart rate for a continuous period of time.” He said a balanced exercise routine could look like doing an activity that gets your heart rate up (like brisk walking or running) four days a week, and going to yoga classes two days a week to work on strength and flexibility.

Is there a better activity goal to aim for other than 10,000 steps a day?

If 10,000 steps a day seems like an arbitrary goal now, then what are some good goals to work towards when it comes to activity? One factor that can make a big difference for your health actually has nothing to do with how many steps you take, but rather how much time you spend sitting. “Studies have shown that sitting for long periods is in itself unhealthy, even if you perform a daily bout of activity. So interspersing activity throughout the day is very helpful.” 

Mayo Clinic recommends aiming to break up the time you spend sitting each day with activity, even if you are getting the recommended amount of exercise each day. Too much sitting is associated with a higher risk of metabolic problems and can impact your health. 

Further, a recent study found that people who sat for more than 13.5 hours a day failed to reap some of the health benefits from one hour of exercise, since their overall activity level was so low compared to the time they spent sitting. 

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The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.