10,000 Steps A Day?

 I'm sure you are aware of the 10,000 steps a day suggestion... But, do you know what it really is and what it means?



The 10,000 steps a day is suggested to be the ideal amount of steps you should aim for each day. So, why 10,000 steps? And what about individual variability?

 

The 10,000 steps advice was coined as an advertising ploy decades ago to encourage everyone to buy a step counter. And how much science and research went into deciding 10,000 was ideal? None, 10,000 was just a nice, round number. 

 

Obviously, some people may be able to easily do 10,000 steps a day or more, while others may struggle with 1,000, so what really is an ideal amount of steps per day?

 

For me, I would say there is no ideal step count each day. On days with heavy training sessions, more steps could be detrimental, by reducing your recovery periods. On rest days, more steps can be beneficial (presuming a light intensity walk) to help improve blood flow and keep you moving a bit. The most important element for cardiovascular health is to move regularly throughout the day, rather than smash out your step goal within an hour of waking up, then sitting around all day. 

 

My recommendation, to ensure progression as well, is to do more steps than the day before (on a normal day to day basis). Work it so it works for you - perhaps have training day step goals and rest day step goals. The idea is that if you have an additional one step each day, you are progressing. Additionally. this works very well for different fitness levels and is suitable for everyone! 

 

Let me know your favourite way to get your steps in below!  



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