10k Steps and Being Short

wlsami

I have a possibly dumb question: so everyone knows about the 10,000 steps a day goal. I’m only 5 feet, and my stride is much shorter than that of a tall person. That said, would my goal be less steps?

janejellyroll

The 10,000 steps is a pretty arbitrary number. There is nothing special associated with it. You should feel free to choose another goal if you prefer.

SonyaCele

goals can be whatever you want them to be.

not_a_runner

Alternatively.. If you're smaller you might actually need more steps to get an equal calorie burn compared to a larger person..?


Either way, not really important.
I compare my steps to my own steps. I usually average 8k, so my goal is to improve upon that if I want to increase my calories burned via steps.
Someone people get significantly more or less steps simply because of their job, lifestyle, etc.
Pick a goal that is appropriate for you.

imillita

You should keep it at 10,000. The monitor is registering each actual step. The only difference between you and someone who has a longer stride is the distance traveled in the same amount of steps (they will have traveled a farther distance). The actual step goal will be the same. I hope this helps! Happy stepping

middlehaitch

If you feel you want to do 10000 steps do them.
The only difference between a shorter person, with a shorter step, doing them as opposed to a taller person,with a longer step, doing them is the distance travelled.

Cheers, h.

DopeItUp

With a shorter stride you'd actually want MORE steps to equal 10k steps from a taller person. Nice try at trying to wimp out though

MegaMooseEsq

DopeItUp wrote: »

With a shorter stride you'd actually want MORE steps to equal 10k steps from a taller person. Nice try at trying to wimp out though

I don't think they're trying to wimp out, just figure out the relative burn between taller and shorter people. I feel like the main difference between short and long stride would be distance traveled, not energy spent (although it's entirely possible I'm wrong). Assuming the person with the shorter stride is going about the same speed and weighs about the same amount, wouldn't they burn about the same amount in a shorter distance (but same number of steps) as a person with a longer stride?

That said, I agree with the comments above that 10k steps is a super arbitrary number so you really don't need to worry about stride - if you want to work harder, walk faster or walk more, or both. Sometimes arbitrary goals are helpful but sometimes they just create more stress than necessary.

Momepro

The 10000 steps specifically wouldn't change really, since that is based on movement not distance. How far that 10000 takes you on the other hand....
If you aretracking by steps or time moving, that should be fine. Ifyou aretracking how many km or miles,you will probably be need to adjust.