How Many Steps?

No one's sure where we got the idea that 10,000 is the ideal number of steps everybody should take every day. It doesn't seem to be based on anything scientific or medical. And the number might be daunting to people who are new to the idea of daily exercise.

But a new analysis says the magic number is just 4,000 steps a day to reduce the risk of dying of any cause.

A team of Polish researchers analyzed 17 studies that followed more than 200,000 people for an average of just over seven years.

"The analysis showed that benefits began at around 2,300 steps per day, which was associated with a significant reduced risk of dying of cardiovascular disease. At around 4,000 steps, the risk of dying of any cause also began to fall significantly. Both figures — which represent medians — are under the 5,000-step limit for what the study notes is normally considered to be a sedentary lifestyle," The Washington Post reported. 

"But there were benefits beyond these numbers: Every extra 1,000 steps was associated with a 15 percent reduction in the risk of dying of any cause, while an increase of 500 steps per day was associated with a 7 percent reduction in the risk of death of cardiovascular disease, the study said."

Any movement is good – but remember that walking is just the first step (no pun intended) to fitness and health. Come see me today at my Petaluma studio and I’ll show you what’s next.