10, 000 steps a day, who decided that?

When it comes to being active you have probably been told that you should be walking 10, 000 steps a day?

Why?

Where has this figure come from?

Way back in 1965 a Japanese company ‘Yamasa’ launched a pedometer called the ‘Manpo-kei’….
Manpo-kei translates to 10, 000 steps.

At the time, the target of 10k wasn’t evidence based, it was more of a advertising slogan/marketing campaign.

As with all targets you set, your step count must be realistic and achievable and relative to where you are currently at.

If you are office/desk bound, and averaging 5k a day, then a daily 10k target is probably currently unrealistic.

Instead, try setting a weekly total:

10k steps a day is 70k steps a week.
8k steps a day is 56k steps a week.

This allows for higher/lower days depending on what you’ve got going on.

Likewise, this weekly target means you don’t have to pace around the house at 10pm to hit your ‘magical’ 10k steps!

Tristan ‘10pm pacer’ Buttle.

For more lifestyle tips & advice click HERE

For more insight from Harvard Health about the Manpo Kei & 10, 000 steps click HERE.