How We Walk 10,000 Steps Without Leaving Home

It may nowadays be hard to imagine commuting to the office every day, with regular social outings or trips to the gym, but that was once the reality for most people. Over the years, how we work has changed dramatically, especially as more people embrace the flexibility and convenience offered by remote employment.

These days, the morning commute has been replaced by a short stroll to the home office or the kitchen. For some, walking from one room to another is the furthest they go, making their steps count for little. While remote work has many benefits, like spending less time in traffic and often being more productive, there are certainly downsides—the lack of physical activity being one of them.

Studies show that Americans walk 5,900 steps on average per day, but health experts generally advise aiming for 10,000. The larger number can be unachievable for remote workers, but there is now a solution for those who work from home, and it has gone viral online.

The walking pad phenomenon has taken the internet by storm and been hailed as revolutionary by thousands. Newsweek spoke to three women who couldn't live without the foldable treadmill that has helped them reach a high step count from the comfort of their homes - while working.

'I Walk 5 Miles Per Day - While Working'

Financial examiner Stephanie Murphy, 36, has doubled her daily step count by slotting her device underneath her standing desk.

Murphy from Derry, New Hampshire, told Newsweek: "As a working mom, it can be hard to find the time. The walking pad has allowed me to get my steps in while multi-tasking during the workday.

"The time flies by because I'm busy doing other things and not concentrating on how much time I've been walking like I normally would if I were at the gym."

She previously uploaded a video to TikTok of herself utilizing the $290 walking pad. She told Newsweek that she used to average 5,000 steps before the purchase, but now she uses the machine alone to get 10,000 steps. When combined with an outside stroll, her daily step count soars to anywhere from 12,450 to over 20,000.

Using the handle, @steph_murphy, the clip captioned: "On average, I walk 5 miles per day on my treadmill while working," had more than 6,200 views.

She said it has clear health benefits for her, adding: "I also have high cholesterol, which is hereditary in my family, so walking helps keep that in control."

'It's a Game Changer'

Maggie Hennigan, 27, a registered dietitian told Newsweek that she now hits around 8,000 to 10,000 steps per day without fail.

Hennigan, from Dallas, Texas, told Newsweek: "I didn't get it for weight loss purposes, but rather to make me an overall more active person, which I feel it has done."

She uses her $400 device daily when responding to emails, taking client calls, and updating her social media pages @bringingbalancedback.

Previously, she highlighted the benefits of a walking pad on TikTok and racked up 1.9 million views.

They include:-

• Walking 600 steps in five minutes.
• You can wear anything you like.
• You can use it to make phone calls.
• You can watch TV and still get your steps in.

She told Newsweek that she "almost immediately" noticed her energy levels increase by adding more activity into her day.

Almost immediately. You have so much more energy when you incorporate quick segments of activity into your day.

'My Confidence Has Improved'

Allison Kimmey, 37, searched high and low for a suitable walking pad as some have weight restrictions. After weeks of research, the plus size content creator managed to source one and hasn't looked back.

She told Newsweek: "It is quite a catch-22. Society wants us to shrink our bodies, but there's not much home fitness equipment that is plus-size friendly. I went through Amazon to find lots of options with at least a 300lb weight limit."

Kimmey has previously shared a video of herself using the device while working on her laptop.

The clip captioned: "Because we deserve access to fun trends like under-desk walking pads too!" racked up 2.6 million views on TikTok.

She told Newsweek that she uses the pad five days per week for a minimum of 30 minutes.

"I purchased the walking pad to add movement to my work day so that I can multitask while I am at my desk."

Some people are not interested in numbers; Kimmey, for example, would rather concentrate on moving her body than counting the steps she takes.

She told Newsweek: "I like to focus on non-scale victories as I find tracking numbers to be triggering.

"I find that I have more energy when my normal afternoon slump hits, more endurance when playing with my kids and going on adventures, and increased confidence in my body regardless of its size!"

How Many Steps Should People Take Per Day?

The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity, or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity, or an equivalent combination each week. Yet personal trainers often encourage people to set a 10,000-step goal per day, and Newsweek reached out to Josh York, a certified personal trainer, based in Melville, New York, to find out why.

York, the founder of fitness franchise company GYMGUYZ, explained: "10,000 steps a day is a goal that sets you on the right path towards an active, healthy lifestyle.

"There really is no minimum number of steps you should take in a day, but hitting that 10,000 mark will strengthen your body and keep your blood pressure under control.

"Any form of exercise will do that well, since moving your body and engaging muscles will help reduce body fat, better your brain function and release endorphins that make you feel better.

"Moving, walking, and exercise is preventative health care as much as it is a gratifying thing that makes you feel good in the here and now."

What Are the Pros and Cons of a Walking Pad?

According to an Upwork study, 22 percent of the American workforce will be remote by 2025, so a walking pad might not be a bad investment after all.

Weighing up the pros and cons, Cara D'Orazio told Newsweek: "A walking pad is a more cost-effective way to get these steps in. The participant can get work done while on the walking pad and doesn't need to leave their home. Generally, they are less expensive than a treadmill!"

For those who want to lose weight, D'Orazio, a certified personal trainer also based in New York, explained that walking solely will not do the trick. But it can help when following a diet in a calorie deficit.

The owner of C.G.M. Fitness, Inc., told Newsweek: "The benefits of a walking pad include improved cardiovascular health, improved mood, reduced back pain and easing stress.

"The negatives are that it could be heavy to move therefore it isn't very portable and you can only walk as running doesn't work on the walking pad."

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