10,000 Steps

Can you do 10,000 steps a day? Every Day?

 A useful target is to aim to do at least 10,000 steps a day. This level of walking has been associated with significant health benefits. However, this is only a general guideline - there are no magical health benefits that occur at 10,000 steps that are not gained at 9,000. It is however a good target to aim for:

	10,000 steps.
	is about 5 miles walked
	uses around 500 kilocalories
	is usually achievable with a more active lifestyle, and a 30 minute walk each day
	has been associated with significant health benefits, notably reduced body weight

How many steps do people take?

This obviously varies according to the type of activities people do at work and in leisure time. The following are typical step scores for a day spent working, with no additional leisure-time walking or running.

A lazy day at home, or working from home 2,000-3,000

Sedentary occupation, such as phone operator 4,000-5,000

Standing at work (but not walking) eg hairdresser 5,500-6,500

Walking as part of work, such as a nurse 8,000+

These are only a guide: the best thing to do is to wear your pedometer for a week and work out your own personal baseline. Then aim to improve it - ideally aiming for at least 10,000 steps/day.