Getting your daily steps in looks quite different depending on your age, according to a fitness broken down exactly how many steps different age groups should aim for each day.
Harris explained that keeping active every day is crucial for both immediate and future health, according to Mark Harris from home gym equipment supplier Mirafit. But while teenagers need the most movement, older adults can benefit from fewer steps.
Regular walking helps prevent heart problems and keeps weight under control, but the number of steps you need changes as you get older, so it's worth knowing which target suits your age group best.
Teenagers should aim for roughly 12,000 steps daily, recommended Harris, pointing out that anything above 10,000 is excellent. Even hitting 12,000 is quite manageable through school commutes and after-school activities.
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Keeping up regular movement helps maintain flexibility and mobility
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Young people naturally have more energy and need plenty of movement to develop strong bones and maintain good fitness levels.
Harris suggested parents should get their kids outdoors as much as possible, particularly given how much time they spend on screens these days.
For those in their 20s and 30s, the target drops to between 8,000 and 10,000 steps daily, which helps maintain fitness and overall well-being.
Harris recommended taking walks during lunch hours and planning active weekends with activities like hiking. When the weather's not cooperating, indoor options like treadmills or walking pads work brilliantly too.
People in their 40s and 50s should aim for at least 7,000 steps each day. At this stage of life, the risk of heart conditions increases, but regular walking directly helps strengthen the heart and improve cardiovascular fitness.
Harris noted that women going through menopause can find exercise particularly helpful for managing symptoms while also controlling weight.
He acknowledged that many middle-aged people juggle family responsibilities and demanding jobs, making it challenging to find time to walk.
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His solution is to create a routine that works with your lifestyle. Setting up a home gym, for example, can help people reach their step targets without leaving the house.
For those aged 55 and above, Harris recommends 6,000 steps as a daily target. Keeping up regular movement at this age helps maintain flexibility and mobility, which becomes increasingly important.
The risk of heart conditions increases for people in their 40s
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Walking also strengthens bones, reducing the chances of developing osteoporosis or suffering fractures. Harris suggests combining daily walks with gentle stretching exercises like yoga or pilates for the best results.
He finds it fascinating how step recommendations vary so much by age group.
"In the fitness space, daily step count is typically referred to as a blanket goal for all, but as we age, our fitness levels evolve, so more tailored approaches to fitness goals are recommended," Harris explained.
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