It is important to walk more in order to lead a healthy life. Walking is essential for keeping fit and weight loss. The average number of steps that Americans walk daily is about 2000-2500.

Approximately 2000-2250 steps make a mile which is equal to 5280 feet. The number of steps may vary depending on how tall a person is and therefore the resulting stride and its length. A short person takes more steps than a taller one. Stride can be defined as the distance, say in feet, covered in each step. The average stride of a person is 2.5 feet long.

Counting the number of steps taken is important for a successful fitness or walking program. Pedometer is an instrument that measures or counts the number of steps taken while walking. It comes with a booklet which helps by giving instructions on measuring the stride and setting the pedometer to the individual stride length. By using the pedometer; one can track and keep a record of the number of steps walked daily in a notebook.

Women may have a shorter stride than men. Apart from the length of legs, the number of steps in a mile depends on the speed of walking, that is, whether one is walking fast or slow. The length of the stride may be long when walking briskly in open spaces with no obstructions and shorter when walking in crowded areas such as office or a subway station. In crowded spaces the stride is adjusted to a shorter length as one doesn’t get to breeze along. For maintaining good health, one should walk 10,000 steps in a day which is about five miles.