So you’ve decided to walk, but how much is enough? The average person in Canada accumulates approximately 3,500 to 5,000 steps in a day. Research shows that to improve your health you should add 2,000 to 3,000 steps to your routine a day. It only takes five minutes to walk about 500 steps. Add a 30 minute walk to your increased level of activity at work or school and you can see that getting to an active lifestyle at 10,000 steps per day is easier than you may think.

Counting steps is one way for you to monitor and log your progress. Pedometers are simple electronic devices that clip to your waist band or belt, directly above your knee, on the side you write with. The pedometer will track every step you take.

Recommended Steps 

Daily steps to strive for:

Children (8-10 years) 12,000-16,000 steps

Youth 11,000-12,000 steps

Adults (20-50 years) 7000-13,000 steps

Older Adults (50-70 years) 6,000-8,500 steps

Adults living with disabilities or chronic diseases 3,500-5,500

(Source: Tudor-Locke, 2004).