How Many Steps Do You Need Per Day To Lose Weight?

Whether you already count regularly or even have an app on your smartphone that records every step, your pedometer is a good indicator of how much you move your body each day.

However, if you’re not currently keeping track of this, it’s worth considering how many steps medical professionals recommend we take each day to help support our body’s physical health.

To make this a little easier for you, we’ve included three different sections on the recommended number of steps for each life stage.

Why is it important to get your recommended daily number of steps?

Moving our bodies regularly has countless benefits, from improving our circulation and heart health to improving your BMI. Don’t know what your BMI is yet? Calculate your BMI via Healthyten.nl.

Measuring your activity levels by steps is a good way to make sure you’re getting enough exercise every day.

In addition to general walking, other things like aerobic exercise, running, or yoga all count towards your daily pedometer.

Do you have an active job where you are on your feet most of the day? That also counts.

You may have been told that 10,000 steps a day is ideal.

While that’s a good amount to aim for, more or fewer steps may suit you better depending on certain factors such as your age, health or physical ability – so the guidelines we provide are just an estimate.

Do you wonder how many steps you should take per day for your age? Here’s a basic guide to daily step count by age:

Recommended number of steps per day for young people up to 18 years

As a general rule, the younger you are, the more steps you should take.

This is largely based on walking around during the school day, participating in gym classes and just having fun with your friends and family!

Once children have learned to walk properly and their bones are fully developed, they want to aim for at least 6,000 to 15,000 steps per day.

This should be on the higher side if your kids play sports regularly, run in the playground, or are just generally very active.

However, it’s super important to note that even experts can’t decide on one particular “magic” number of steps for an age group.

Plus, what’s good for one teen may not be the same for another, as we’re all built differently and have different needs.

Recommended daily steps for adults

As you become an adult, your daily number of steps will probably decrease on its own as you go to work or study.

10,000 steps is still a good number to aim for, but if your step count is closer to 6,000, that’s fine too. As we said, it’s all individual.

For example, if you are living with a medical condition that affects your abilities, it is best to consult a doctor to determine the best course for you.

If you’re generally healthy, go to the gym regularly, or are trying to lose weight, aim to take more than 12,000 steps each day whenever possible.

Recommended daily steps for adults over 65

As you get older, it’s generally accepted that your bones become more brittle and your condition may decline.

Still, many people stay active well into their 60s, 70s, and even 80s, whether it’s jogging, walking, or even dancing!

As with any other age group, it’s important to hit your daily step count, so it’s worth aiming for somewhere between 3,000 and 10,000 steps, depending on your current activity level and general health.

Are you worried about aches and pains that make it harder to take your steps? Contact one of our expert advisors for a consultation of your joints and bones.

5 tips to make more steps

If you work in an office or spend most of your day sitting indoors, don’t despair. There are several things you can do to increase your step count.

1. Take a walk every day

A daily walk is a great way to increase your step count. During the week, try to spend half of your lunch break outdoors taking a walk in the fresh air.

2. Use a standing desk

Those who work in an office can struggle to fit in their daily number of steps, especially if you travel by car.

A standing desk is a great way to keep your muscles active, plus you can walk on the spot as you work to get your steps up.

3. Take the stairs

Whether you work in a high-rise building or just pop into the store, taking the stairs instead of an elevator or escalator is a great way to increase your daily step count.

4. Pace when you’re on the phone

If your job requires you to make phone calls or you just like to chat with your friends and family, try getting up and moving around the room while you talk.

5. Park further away

Whether you drove to the shops or to work, try to park your car a little further away each day so that you have to walk a little longer to get to your destination.

If you want to go a step further, consider walking all the way from your house if you live nearby