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 stem 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 number 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.
The use of pedometers spread rapidly across Japan, with millions of citizens tied to a “Manpo-kei” (10,000 step meter). The trend has also caught on in the US, where we have our own problems with obesity in adults and, alarmingly, in children as well.
However, Dr. Hatano is not the original inventor of the pedometer. Based on Leonardo da Vinci’s drawings, it is generally believed that he created the first versions of a device for counting steps.
Thomas Jefferson was also involved, hundreds of years after da Vinci, as he brought back a step counter from his stays in France. Jefferson was a strong advocate of regular walks for mental and physical health.
Jefferson wrote a well-known epistle to his nephew, Peter Carr, advising him what he needed to 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 even allow yourself to think while walking; but divert your attention by the objects around you. Walking is the best possible exercise. Get used to walking very far.
He also said that Carr should carry a gun with him, but not 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 is 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 you stay on track until you reach your health and fitness goals.
So it doesn’t matter if the pedometer or the 10,000 step program came first. The important thing is to get out and move!
