Getting 10,000 steps each day is often a benchmark for physical activity, however it can feel almost impossible to reach when you have mobility issues. Thankfully, there are some things that you can do that will help you reach your daily activity goals. Physical activity doesn’t have to mean going for a run, hitting the gym or taking an exercise class! There are many ways to increase your step count, just by making some small changes to your daily routine.
Why do I need to walk 10,000 steps a day?
Walking 10,000 steps a day has been shown to have a number of health benefits, including reduced risk of heart disease, cancer and even dementia. Physical activity in general is an important aspect of a healthy lifestyle. We can all agree there’s no magic number, and more may be even better, but 10,000 steps provides a great daily target to realize health benefits.
At Xlent Care Products, we’re the exclusive seller of Volaris all-terrain rollator walkers. The difference? We help those with mobility challenges go further, increase activity and thrive. Go further and meet your mobility goals – and live better in the process!
Tips to get 10,000 steps a day
When you are working on increasing your physical activity by hitting your step count goal each day, there are a number of ways you can help motivate your progress
Take short walks: Rather than trying to get a large number of steps in at once, taking smaller walks throughout the day can still add up quickly. Whether you walk around you home or head outside and walk to the corner or around a park, short walks can help reduce the impact on your body.
Get moving at home: Doing chores, walking around your house, working in the garden and cooking dinner are all great ways to get more steps in your day.
Talk to a physical therapist: If moving regularly is difficult for you, a physical therapist can suggest exercises that can be done with reduced mobility. Chair exercises like arm curls and seated leg lifts can get your heart rate up and improve your health, even if they don’t boost your step count as much as a walk.
Set goals: Taking the time to set goals for yourself can make a big difference in your ability to reach your step count each day.
Join a support group: Support groups for people with similar mobility issues can help encourage you to get moving and increase your steps. Walking groups are also a great source of motivation and comradery.
Challenge yourself: Although walking may be difficult, challenging yourself to go just a bit further than you think you can may help motivate you to push through.
Use a mobility aid: Adding a rollator walker or a cane to your daily life can help improve your ability to move around easily, and get your 10,000 steps a day.
Get a step counter: Fitness trackers can help you set goals and stay on track to meet them. A device that keeps count of your steps makes it easy to know whether you are on the right path with your step goals.
A rollator walker can help
Even if you have mobility issues that prevent you from walking long distances, incorporating a mobility aid into your daily life can help you maintain some physical activity. A rollator walker has many benefits when it comes to helping you get around and reach your step count goals each day.
A rollator walker can help in many ways:
- It can help facilitate walking
- Can be used on any kind of terrain
- You can build up your stamina and ability over time
- Helps you maintain balance
- Offers the ability to sit and take a break anytime you need to
- Very portable for running errands, taking vacations or aiding mobility away from the home
- Compact for easy storage
Hitting your daily activity targets are within reach – even with mobility challenges
It sounds like a big number, especially if you don’t walk much now. However, getting 10,000 steps in a day is a fairly attainable goal for most people. While you may have some mobility concerns, there are a number of ways to motivate yourself to reach your goal. Using tools like a fitness tracker or rollator walker can help make the process easier, and give you support and motivation along the way.