It seems like
everyone is now wearing some sort of devise on their wrist to measure how
physically active they are. But really do you need to go out and spend $100 or
more for something that tells you how many steps you’re taking?
First off, why are
we obsessed with the number of steps we take? Where did the goal of 10,000
steps a day come from? Not surprisingly, you invent a device and you have to
make people want it. In this case it came about when the Japanese popularized
the “10K a day” rule when the early version of a pedometer “manpokel” was launched
back in the 1960s.
According to the
Centers for Disease Control, the goal isn’t number of steps you take but the
activity level. Their recommendation:
• 2 hours and 30
minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (brisk walking) a week, or 1
hour and 15 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity like jogging or running or a
mix of moderate and vigorous activity.
• Strength
training 2 or more days a week, working all major muscle groups (legs, hips,
back, abdomen, chest, shoulders, and arms).
All that said, I know a number of people that are
really into their Fitness Trackers and it does help them be more active, which
is a good thing. So if you think knowing how many steps you take a day might be
good motivator for you, you need to look no further then your iPhone. You’ll
notice there is a white square with a red heart. Open it up and you’ll find a
built in step tracker. Guaranteed you may not want to carry around your cell
phone all the time but put your phone in your pocket and check it out. It’s
keeping track of the data whether you look at it or not.
A pedometer is a cheaper alternative to a Fitbit for
counting steps. But what if your device doesn’t cover sports such as skiing or
snowshoeing? Check out the Step Conversion Chart.
Whether you use a
devise to track your steps or go by the CDC’s guidelines, the ultimate goal is
to be active throughout your day.
No comments:
Post a Comment