Does walking 20k steps count as exercise?

Author: Mr. Watson Gerhold  |  Last update: Wednesday, December 24, 2025

Walking 20,000 steps daily can enhance heart health by lowering the risk of heart disease, stroke, and high cholesterol. "Walking this distance improves cardiovascular health, burns a huge amount of calories approximately 800–1,000 depending on your weight and pace, and strengthens muscles, especially in your legs.

Is walking 20k steps a day considered active?

Walking 20000 steps a day is generally considered a high level of physical activity. For many people, this number can be beneficial, promoting cardiovascular health, weight management, and overall fitness. However, whether it's too much depends on several factors:

How much weight will I lose walking 20k steps a day?

What kind of weight loss can one expect from taking 20,000 steps per day? Everyone is different, so that's a tough question to answer. I lost five pounds during my 30-day step challenge, and there's a Canadian guy who dropped 130 pounds (59 kg) while taking 20k steps for a year.

Why did this woman quit the gym to walk 20,000 steps a day instead?

Lind's walking journey began during the COVID-19 pandemic when her mental health was at an all-time low due to isolation. It wasn't long until she noticed a "huge improvement" in her mood, energy levels and confidence. Now, four years on, she is the proud CEO of her own walking club called Hot Girl Walk®.

How many steps a day is considered active?

Low active is 5,000 to 7,499 steps per day. Somewhat active is 7,500 to 9,999 steps per day. Active is more than 10,000 steps per day. Highly active is more than 12,500.

How Many Steps Should You Take To Lose Fat? (HIT THIS NUMBER!)

Should I count my daily steps as exercise?

Everything counts! A new study suggests that both step-count and time-based exercise goals are equally effective in reducing risks of heart disease and early death.

How many steps should you take a day to lose 2 pounds a week?

The general consensus suggests aiming for 10,000 steps a day as a good target for weight loss. However, the ideal number of steps to burn fat is subjective and depends on individual circumstances.

How many steps to lose 20 lbs in a month?

The exact number of steps that lead to weight loss in a person will depend on age, gender, diet, and other factors, like muscle mass or fitness level. But generally, logging 10,000 steps a day can help you lose weight, especially if you're mostly sedentary.

Why am I not losing weight walking 20,000 steps a day?

'Simply put, if you're not losing weight through walking, it's likely that you're consuming more calories than you are burning through physical activity.

How many steps per day is too much?

Suzanne Wylie, GP and medical advisor at IQ Doctor, says a little upwards of 10,000 is fine. “Generally, 12,000 to 15,000 steps a day is considered healthy and achievable. This amount can enhance cardiovascular fitness and contribute to overall physical wellbeing without placing undue stress on the body.”

How to burn 1000 calories in a day?

Running, cycling, swimming, and rowing are all great options for hitting your calorie burn target.
  1. Running: To burn 1000 calories in a day, a 75 kg person running at 10 km/h can burn around 600 calories in an hour. ...
  2. Cycling: Biking at 18-20 km/h can help you burn 600-800 calories in an hour.

How many steps a day to lose belly fat?

Popular fitness trackers and pedometers encourage people to take 10,000 steps per day, and one 2016 study agrees that 10,000 steps are ideal. This works out to roughly 5 miles of walking. People interested in walking for weight loss should consistently hit at least 10,000 steps each day.

Is 20k steps a day too much?

While the popular goal of 10,000 steps a day is considered the gold standard for fitness, doubling that number to 20,000 steps unlocks a whole range of benefits. From accelerating weight loss to boosting sleep quality, energy levels, and stamina, walking 20,000 steps has multiple benefits.

Are you sedentary if you walk 10,000 steps a day?

7500-9999 likely includes some volitional activities (and/or elevated occupational activity demands) and might be considered 'somewhat active'; and (iv). >or=10000 steps/day indicates the point that should be used to classify individuals as 'active'.

What happens to your legs when you don't walk enough?

As with all of our muscles, if you don't use them, you lose muscle capacity. The muscles of your feet, ankles and lower legs become weaker with inactivity, causing muscular tension, stiffness and aches.

Is 20,000 steps a day considered active?

Yes, walking 20,000 steps a day can be very beneficial for your health. It is considered a form of moderate to vigorous physical activity and can help you meet the recommended guidelines for daily exercise.

How to flush out water weight?

  1. Exercise Regularly. Daily exercise provides several health benefits, including preventing water retention. ...
  2. Drink More Water. Drinking water to reduce water weight sounds counterintuitive, but it helps. ...
  3. Manage Salt Intake. ...
  4. Cut Carbs. ...
  5. Focus on Certain Foods and Herbs. ...
  6. Try Supplements. ...
  7. Up Your Caffeine Intake.

Can walking slim you down?

Physical activity, such as walking, is important for weight control because it helps you burn calories. If you add 30 minutes of brisk walking to your daily habits, you could burn about 150 more calories a day. Of course, the more you walk and the quicker your pace, the more calories you'll burn.

What is a flat tummy walk?

A “flat tummy walk” is a type of exercise that is intended to help tone and strengthen the. abdominal muscles, leading to a flatter stomach. This type of exercise typically involves engaging the core muscles and walking at a brisk pace. It can be done indoors or outdoors and doesn't require any equipment.

Has anyone lost weight walking 20,000 steps a day?

"Ever since I started doing the 20,000 steps a day, and eating healthier, I've lost 70 pounds." As well as weight loss, she is now completely free of high blood pressure medication and still prioritizes her daily walks, starting her mornings with a brisk four-mile walk to ensure she hits her 20,000 step target.

Is walking better than running for fat loss?

While running burns more calories overall and will result in a higher overall reduction of weight, walking may burn more fat for fuel. This is due to the fact that our bodies utilise fat as the primary fuel source when a person is exercising at a lesser intensity.

Does walking count as exercise?

Walking is simple, free and one of the easiest ways to get more active, lose weight and become healthier. Sometimes overlooked as a form of exercise, walking briskly can help you build stamina, burn excess calories and make your heart healthier.

How to lose belly fat?

8 Ways to Lose Belly Fat and Live a Healthier Life
  1. Try curbing carbs instead of fats. ...
  2. Think eating plan, not diet. ...
  3. Keep moving. ...
  4. Lift weights. ...
  5. Become a label reader. ...
  6. Move away from processed foods. ...
  7. Focus on the way your clothes fit more than reading a scale. ...
  8. Hang out with health-focused friends.

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