Hey 10K! Are you hitting it every day?

If you need some help, you’re gonna like this post.

So how can you increase your daily step count?

I have a few ideas to share that work for me, and I’m hoping they can also work for you!

Full disclosure: I am not the type of person who likes to spend hours in the gym. My average workout time is 45 minutes, and that works for me. That doesn’t include walking. But I don’t view walking as a workout despite doing it at an intense pace.

I am always looking for ways to log more steps. And although running is great for so many reasons, it’s not really an option for me anymore. The lingering pain I experience from the impact is something I now try to avoid.

So I have found other ways to increase my step count at the gym while keeping my heart rate up.

Welcome to the low impact machines… Let’s look at a few examples:

1. Ellipticals: My favorite is the Octane Elliptical. After using it for a while, and experimenting with different modes and levels of resistance, you can get close to a “running experience” without any impact on your knees, ankles, feet… And you’ll rack up a lot of steps in an intense 30-minute session.
2. Bikes: It’s not my “go to” machine, but it’s a good leg workout that will definitely maximize your step count. For a super-intense session, hop on a “spin bike”. Remember your headphones and some loud, ass-kicking music for support and motivation. If you can ride outside, I’m sure my cyclist friends will agree that riding outdoors is more fun and exciting.
3. Steppers: These machines won’t give you the same high ratio of step count per hour as an elliptical or a bike will, but it’s an intense leg workout that gets (and keeps) your heart rate up.
4. Treadmills: Aside from basic walking (or running), treadmills enable you to control speed or elevation to intensify your workout. I’d much rather walk outdoors at a fast pace than on a treadmill. But it’s a good alternative when you need it.
5. Jump rope: Surprisingly, I don’t get the same pain from jumping rope as I do from running. So I jump rope frequently. If you haven’t jumped rope in a while, you may find that your endurance is low at first. No problem. Stick with it and increase your time every time you jump. And before long, 15 to 30 minutes will be no problem.
6. Walk the Mall: If the weather is bad or you want a change of scenery, walk the mall. You can window shop. But don’t stop when you see something you like. Wait ‘til you’re done. And use the stairs for added resistance and intensity.

My goal here was to help you find different ways to maximize your step count, making it a little easier to get to 10K a day. And pair it with some of your cardio training sessions for efficiency.

Tell me, what’s working for you? Share a comment below.

Thank you for sharing your time with me. I’d love for you to let me know what you think by leaving a comment. Is the content valuable and helpful? Did anything resonate? Will you take action? What else would you like to see in future posts?

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