(AscendHealthy.com)- If you think that you should strive for 10,000 steps per day, you have fallen victim to a very effective marketing strategy, according to The Atlantic. The guideline was first introduced by a Japanese pedometer company in 1965. Since then, the exercise industry has experienced a technological boom. Pedometers and exercise trackers are everywhere. But the old 10,000 steps guideline hasn’t gone anywhere. It’s tenacious and catchy, but it isn’t ideal for everyone.
Wearable Devices Get People Moving
There’s no doubt about it, fitness trackers get people moving. According to a study, participants who used activity trackers reported increased physical activity for sustained periods (5 to 7 months ) and a desire to continue.
Trackers encourage physical activity by keeping wearers motivated and accountable. What’s more, advanced activity trackers allow you to monitor your heart rate and exercise for maximum endurance and results.
Many Are Taking More Steps than Necessary
Unfortunately, fitness tracker mania has many people taking more steps than necessary. Many are setting their goals at 10,000 steps per day because they believe that is the health benchmark. Others strive to take more steps per day because more is better, right?
Not necessarily. Research has shown that 10,000 steps is too many for most people, says Kaiser Health News. Moreover, people who strive for 10,000 steps per day become discouraged and give up when the goal seems too high. In the best-case scenario, many people are taking more steps than necessary. In the worst, people are not walking at all because they’re too overwhelmed by the 10,000 number.
How Many Steps Should You Take per Day?
So, how many steps should you take each day? In a study of older women, researchers found that women who walked 4,400 steps per day had a lower mortality rate than those who only took 2,700 steps per day. But the benefits leveled off at about 7,500 steps per day.
On average, Americans take 4,000 to 5,000 steps per day. And while there is no magic formula for how many steps you should take, research tends to support that taking a few thousand more steps over this will improve your health. However, there is no evidence to support that you need to take as many as 10,000 steps.
Effective marketing has many people striving for 10,000 steps per day. However, you can reap many health benefits from taking far fewer steps. The key is to keep moving and do as much as you can. If you can, strive for 7,500 steps per day because that’s the number where health benefits start to level off.
~Here’s to Your Healthy Ascension!
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