What is a good number of steps to start?

[kathybeekman]

I have just begun using the fitbit force, and I'm looking for some guidance on what a good amount of steps would be to start. Is 5000 for a slug? Does 20,000 mean I'm a pro athlete? 

Moderator edit: format

[Colinm39]

I would wear it for a week and see how you go. Read the posts and adjust your activities for the non-dominant wrist etc. I have averaged 16,700 steps over the last month and the total recorded time is  7-3/4 hours. Quite a chunk of my day.  I'm into my 3rd year with Fitbit and at my age no athlete

I would work up from 5000 and gradually build up. The 10,000 goal is as suggested by world health authorities.

[Doug]

My suggestion is to wear for several days of typical activity (both work and non-work days) to get an idea of what you are already doing now.  Then set your goal a little higher than that, perhaps 1000 steps or 10% or whatever.  Make it reachable.

As you look for and learn ways to get more steps in (parking farther away, using stairs instead of elevators, etc) you'll find you can gradually keep raising your goal.  Several organizations recommend 10,000 steps/day as a minimum guideline.  But it is not some magical number.  Neither does 20k mean you're at an elite fitness level.

Just measure where you are now, and keep raising your goal over time until it is at least 10k.

[kathybeekman]

Thanks for your reply.  It was helpful.