Why 10k steps?

[speeddemon]

Why does fitbit and everywhere else seem to focus on 10,000 steps as the best activity goal for the day? Where did that come from? Is that the same for both men and women?

[suzie]

It's essentially a random number. A pedometer maker in Japan picked the number decades ago. Everyone seems to have accepted it as the gold standard ever since, even though it's based on absolutely nothing. Early studies (so seriously, they might be wrong) actually suggest that if you get 7,000 per day, you're giving yourself the right step-based advantage. More than that doesn't appear to boost benefits. Of coruse, none of that takes into account the quality of the activity or the intensity.

[Gina]

10k steps isn't based on anything. It's fine if it's your goal and matches your lifestyle, but it's not specifically good for any reason.