Is 10,000 Steps Enough any More
By Mark on Jul 6, 2008 in Featured
It has been long a benchmark that walking 10,000 steps per day as part as a exercise programme in order to help lose weight, was the standard at one time
But now it would seem that is not the case, a study which spanned over five consecutive countries, France, the USA Sweden, Australia and Canada, has come up with guidelines as to how many steps you need in order to get the maximum benefit from walking as they exercise, this doesn’t mean to say that walking is not good exercise.
But the problem is there is no resistance when you are doing it unless you are walking up a hill, or doing a hike up a very steep incline which makes your whole body work harder.
For women up to the age of 50, the research has found that 10,000 steps is not satisfactory enough in order to maintain weight control over a long period of time.
The recommended steps are as follows for overall weight control these include ages as well so you tend to get a overall better picture of what is needed for your particular age bracket.
Women
18 – 40 12,000 steps per day
40 – 50 11,000 steps per day
50 – 60 10,000 steps per day
60 plus 8000 steps per day
Men
18 – 50 12,000 steps a day
50 plus 11,000 steps per day
The researchers said:
“We have put together recommendations for different age groups, but the material is more robust when it comes to women,” says Anders Raustorp, University of Kalmar, one of those taking the initiative for the study and director of the Swedish component. For women up to the age of 50 and for men, 10,000 steps a day is not sufficient for weight control.
So when you are thinking about buying a new pedometer you might need to be walking further than what you first thought, but a further 2000 steps is not as far as it would seem if you are quite fit anyway you will be to do that no problem whatsoever.
Have a great day where ever you are.
Tags: lose weight
3 Comment(s)
By Cindi on Jul 9, 2008 | Reply
I had not heard this before. Wow! All the walking experts I know are still saying 10,000 steps is a good goal. Of course, I’d assume 10,000 is better than nothing!
Cindi
WALK! Magazine
http://www.walk-magazine.com
By Rose on Jul 9, 2008 | Reply
Thanks for this updated age-related information on the number(and type)of steps for weight=loss Mark.
I find that even moderate exercise(walking to and form the shops) can clock up thousands of steps on my pedometer daily so 2000 here or there can be easily accommodated.
Remember to maintain a healthy diet and add some regular weights at home for a really healthy body and bones.
By Roaring Lioness on Aug 7, 2008 | Reply
Good article. A personal trainer I know told me last year that 10,000 steps may be enough to maintain weight, but to lose it, you need to be doing at least 14,000. Personally, I think it obviously depends on the individual’s fitness levels, weight and age. I’ve also read that at least 30 minutes of those steps needs to be done at a brisk pace, although this 30 mins can be broken down into three slots of 10.