The 10,000 steps myth

[Jazzy]

The 10,000 steps a day idea has become one of the popular health mantras of the past decade, with the emergence of Fitbits and other wearables all fueling a step counting obsession.

However while the World Health Organization, the American Heart Association and many others have all adopted the 10,000 steps a day goal, the number is actually completely arbitrary, originating in a Japanese boardroom in the 1960s. Few people realize but the company Yamasa simply dreamt up the figure as a way of promoting the world’s first step counter ahead of the Tokyo 1964 Olympics.

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Anyone doing the 10,000 steps a day? What are your thoughts about the number of steps?

 

[Lamb]

I read either that article or a similar one last year. 10,000 works for me because it keeps my body in a good zone for calorie burning without being too hard on my knees, like 15,000 is. When I only do 7,500, I don't feel I've burned off enough calories.

 

[tango]

It seems like one of many things that can be a good guide but a bad master.

The problem with any one-size-fits-all approach is that one size very seldom fits all. Is the idea to count the number of times one foot moves ahead of the other, or to encourage more movement?

There's a loop I walk or run most days, when I don't do a longer option. If I walk it, it runs to about 9000 steps. If I run it I get more like 8000 steps, maybe slightly less. The reason is simple - when I'm running my stride length is longer. I'm covering the same distance but taking fewer steps to do it. Alternatively I could shuffle around taking tiny steps and end up with maybe 15000 steps, even if it did take me longer and be extremely frustrating all the way round.

I usually aim for 10,000 steps because if I'm getting 8-9000 daily anyway from walking or running I might as well get the extra few and earn some fancy challenge badges on my tracker software.

 

[Messy]

I burn enough calories playing chess.
You burned 3 kcal during the game