Like sushi, sumo, and Hello Kitty, the idea of walking 10,000 steps a day is “made in Japan.” It originated with Japanese researchers, most notably Dr. Yoshiro Hatano, who wanted to determine the calorie burn resulting from brisk walking. He then wanted to take that research and try to stop the rising tide of obesity in his country.
Dr. Hatano’s research determined that the average person took between 3,500 and 5,000 steps per day and that increasing that amount to 10,000 steps per day would result in better health and lower weight. Combine sophisticated research with a penchant for Japanese technology, and the pedometer is born.
Pedometer use spread rapidly across Japan, with millions of citizens strapped to a “Manpo-kei” (10,000-step meter). The trend has also caught on in the US, where we have our own obesity problems in adults and, alarmingly, in children as well.
However, Dr. Hatano is not the original inventor of the pedometer. Based on drawings by Leonardo da Vinci, it is generally believed that he created early versions of a step-counting device.
Thomas Jefferson was also involved, hundreds of years after da Vinci, as he brought back a pedometer from his stays in France. Jefferson was a strong advocate of regular walking for mental and physical health.
Jefferson wrote a well-known epistle to his nephew, Peter Carr, advising him on what he should do to become a productive member of society. Jefferson wanted him to study a number of subjects, but he also wanted him to walk regularly. He said:
The object of walking is to relax the mind. Therefore, you must not allow yourself to even think while walking; but divert your attention to the objects around you. Walking is the best possible exercise. Get used to walking very far.
He also said that Carr should have a gun with him, but no books. However, I think that practice would be frowned upon today.
The great thing about walking is that anyone can do it, and you can do it anywhere, anytime. Of course, there are exceptions to the above statement, but it’s the simplest form of exercise.
You don’t need special clothing (although comfortable shoes are good) or special equipment (although a pedometer is recommended). You can do it alone or with a group. You can do it with your family, your friends or your pets.
Do you need a formal “program”? Not necessarily, but it can help. Some programs will walk you through establishing a baseline, setting goals, and working toward those goals. A good program can help keep you on track until you reach your health and fitness goals.
So it’s not important whether the pedometer or the 10,000 step program came first. The important thing is to get out and move!