Weight Loss: Is Walking 10,000 Steps A Day Equivalent To A Workout? Experts Reveal

It is important to walk 10,000 steps in a day to perform daily activities without trouble

Weight loss tips: Have you completed your 10,000 steps today? Do you think walking so many steps in a day will help you lose weight or stay fit? Let's find out. Walking 10,000 steps a day is definitely helpful in maintaining mobility and carrying out the day-to-day tasks at ease. According to celeb fitness expert Vinod Channa, 10,000 steps in a day is the bare minimum of physical activity that one must do in a day and cannot be considered equivalent to a workout.

Weight loss tips: Are 10,000 steps in a day equivalent to a day's workout?

"Ten thousand steps in a day is the basic requirement of the human body for maintaining mobility and fitness which is needed every day," says Channa, who is known to train the likes of Shilpa Shetty Kundra, John Abraham, Shamita Shetty and Genelia Deshmukh to name a few.

Walking 10,000 steps in a day is important for basic physical activity in a day
Photo Credit: iStock

Also read: An Extra 15 Minute Daily Walk Could Boost Global Economy: Study

But walking 10,000 steps does not count as a workout, he asserts. "Walking 10,000 steps means one needs to walk for an hour, which again, the body needs to stay active. If you experience difficulty in doing basic activities like getting up and sitting down, back pain, etc, it means your lifestyle is too sedentary and you need to be physically active and hence walk these many steps a day," Channa explains.

For people who do not have walking space in their localities and are unable yo go for a walk, Channa suggests the following:

• Opt for public transport to commute
• Park your vehicles at a distance from your work place so you can walk to it
• In case the above is not possible one can do jumping ropes, spot jumping or jogging at home as well
• Take the stairs instead of the elevator
• Take a break from work every hour and walk a bit

"All the above steps will help as your fitness tracker will count any movement that you do," he explains.

The bottom line is that everyone must walk 10,000 steps in a day, to have that basic level of mobility, to avoid body pains and and stay active.

Also read: Just One Hour Of Walk Daily Can Help Prevent Disability In Older Adults

Kiddy Kaul, fitness expert and Founder, Ultimate Xcell, says, "To be able to meet the 10,000 steps target, take tiny breaks from sitting, and walk for a while. You can even jog on the spot. Perhaps, a few dance moves etc. Treat your 10,000-steps-a-day target as fun and purposeful!"

You can do on-the-spot jogging to complete 10,000 steps in a day
Photo Credit: iStock

She goes on to add that there is no denying that working to achieve this target is effective, as "any and all movement of the body is important".

"Lack of movement is the main cause of obesity and diseases today. An average person, now, doesn't walk enough, and this is a good way to keep your body in motion," she explains.

In order to achieve the steps target, you can include some strength training moves in your routine, like squats, push-ups and body weight-bearing exercises. These can help in maintaining a good posture throughout the day, Kaul adds.

Also read: Want To Get Rid Of That Stubborn Belly Fat? Here's How Walking Can Help You Get In Shape Easily

(Vinod Channa is a Fitness and Nutrition Expert based in Mumbai)

(Kiddy Kaul, Fitness Expert and Founder, Ultimate Xcell, Delhi)

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.