The definition of being fit is personal. Each person determines their goal. Ways of staying fit are just as varied. Some people, like the family of warriors at RCFitness, use online services or private and group training to achieve that goal. One way that’s encouraged is to walk more. A movement encouraging walking 10,000 steps each day grew significantly these past few years. Why has it become popular? Is there a reason 10,000 steps are better than 5,000 or 15,000?
It all started in a marketing meeting in Japan.
You would think the magic 10,000 number came from the mouths of people wearing white lab coats, but it didn’t. It all started because of the 1864 Olympics held in Japan. People there were excited. Everyone was jumping on the fitness bandwagon. Half of Japan had taken up running, and the other half started walking. Walking clubs became popular. Pedometers that tracked steps also had their moment in the sun. One company created a pedometer called. Manpo-kei. If you translate that to English, the name means 10,000 steps. At that point, the concept of walking 10,000 steps became popular, even though there is no scientific evidence that the number is significant.
Scientists tested the marketing gimmick.
Japan may have started the trend, but it didn’t stop there. The rallying cry of 10,000 steps grew around the world. Studies checked the validity of the push. One study showed how increasing daily steps from 2700, classified as sedentary activity, to 4,400 steps reduced mortality rates by 41%. That same study found that the mortality rate continued decreasing until the subject averaged 7,500 steps, then leveled out.
Should you consider boosting your daily steps?
Increasing your steps increases your activity level. That’s good. The more active you are, the healthier you tend to be. Walking more, whether or not combined with a formal exercise program, increases your endurance, helps prevent osteoporosis, and builds lower body strength. The average person takes approximately 2,250 steps per mile, making 10,000 steps approximately 4.5 miles. If you walked the 10,000 steps without taking a break, it would take about 80 minutes.
- If you choose the 10,000 daily step method, don’t forget to include flexibility, strength, and balance exercises, too. If you’re new to exercise, start walking and slowly add other exercises to your fitness program.
- You can modify your workout and get more benefits by turning it into a HIIT—high intensity interval training—workout. HIIT workouts alternate intensity by walking at peak intensity, switching to a recovery pace, and volleying between the two.
- You don’t have to do your 10,000 steps all at once. Find ways to increase the steps you take. Park further from the store and walk. Get off the bus at a stop before your destination and walk.
- Most people wear their pedometer all day, so they include normal walking. Sedentary people increase their activity by 60 minutes a day.
For more information, contact us today at Reggie C. Fitness