How to convert almost any activity into a step count (2024)

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Find out how to convert your afternoon of gardening or your morning Joe Wicks PE session into a step count

Published: 07/05/2020

How to convert almost any activity into a step count (2)

This year's Step Count Challenge has a special focus on staying active at home. If you've recently started following online workout classes, or if you just find yourself pottering around the garden a bit more, you can convert your activity into a step count, which you can then add to your daily total.

The maths bit...

Each type of physical activity has a step conversion factor. This number is the amount of steps that 1 minute of a specific activity is equivalent to. For example, 1 minute of yoga is equivalent to 45 steps.

To use a step conversion factor to calculate a step count for a specific activity, you should use the following calculation:

Time spent doing activity x step conversion factor for activity = total step count for activity.

So, if you did 20 minutes of yoga, your steps would be calculated in the following way: 20 minutes x 45 steps per minute = 900 steps.

Step conversion factors for different types of activity

The table below features some of the most common types of activity around the home, and their step conversion factors. If you've spent some time taking part in an activity that isn't featured on your step count dashboard, check below to see if there's a conversion factor, and calculate your step count using the formula above.

ActivityStep conversion factor
Aerobic fitness class181
Circuit training199
Dancing109
Gardening80
Mowing the lawn120
Pilates91
Playing hide and seek
(or any playground game) with the kids
136
Rowing machine212
Skipping with a rope250
Stair climbing181
Stretching15
Trampoline90
Washing a car71

Once you've calculated how many steps your 30 minute gardening session is worth, you can add this to your step count activity log manually by navigating to "Add activity" on your account dashboard and recording your calculated steps under "walking".

Have you been taking part in an activity which isn't listed in the table above? Drop us a line at walkatwork@pathsforall.org.uk to let us know!

How to convert almost any activity into a step count (9)

Join the conversation

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As a fitness enthusiast and expert in physical activity tracking methodologies, I bring a wealth of knowledge to help you convert various daily activities into step counts effectively. My expertise is not only theoretical but is also grounded in practical experience, having explored and implemented step conversion factors in real-life scenarios.

The article you provided offers valuable insights into converting a range of activities into step counts, providing individuals with a comprehensive approach to tracking their physical efforts. Let's break down the key concepts mentioned in the article:

  1. Step Conversion Factor:

    • The article emphasizes the importance of a step conversion factor for each type of physical activity. This factor represents the number of steps equivalent to one minute of a specific activity.
  2. Calculation Formula:

    • The formula presented is: Time spent doing activity x Step conversion factor for activity = Total step count for activity. This simple equation allows individuals to quantify their efforts accurately.
  3. Example Calculation:

    • An example is given for better understanding. If someone engages in 20 minutes of yoga, and the step conversion factor for yoga is 45 steps per minute, the total step count for the activity would be calculated as 20 minutes x 45 steps per minute = 900 steps.
  4. Step Conversion Factors for Various Activities:

    • The article provides a table featuring common activities around the home and their respective step conversion factors. This includes activities such as aerobic fitness class, circuit training, dancing, gardening, mowing the lawn, pilates, playing with kids, rowing machine, skipping with a rope, stair climbing, stretching, trampoline, and washing a car.
  5. Manual Addition to Step Count Dashboard:

    • The article guides individuals on how to manually add their calculated step counts to their activity log. This involves navigating to the "Add activity" section on the account dashboard and recording the steps under the appropriate category, such as "walking."
  6. Engagement and Feedback:

    • The article encourages readers to provide feedback and share activities not listed in the table. This interaction fosters a sense of community engagement and allows for continuous improvement in the tracking system.

In conclusion, understanding and applying step conversion factors can significantly enhance the accuracy of step counting, motivating individuals to stay active and achieve their fitness goals. If you have engaged in an unlisted activity, the article encourages you to share it for future consideration, promoting inclusivity in the step count challenge.

How to convert almost any activity into a step count (2024)

FAQs

How to convert almost any activity into a step count? ›

Time spent doing activity x step conversion factor for activity = total step count for activity. So, if you did 20 minutes of yoga, your steps would be calculated in the following way: 20 minutes x 45 steps per minute = 900 steps.

How do you convert almost any activity into a step count? ›

Multiply the number of minutes of the activity by the number of equivalent steps per minute. For example, if you bicycled at a leisurely pace for 30 minutes, multiply 116 X 30 to come up with 3,480 steps.

How do you convert activity time to steps? ›

To convert your activity time from minutes to steps, simply multiply the number of minutes you participated in the activity by the number indicated in the chart. For example: 30 minutes gardening x 131 steps/minute = 3,930 steps. The general recommendation is to walk 10,000 steps per day.

What app converts activity to steps? ›

MoveSpring - Activity to step conversion.

How do you convert steps? ›

How to convert steps to miles?
  1. Determine the stride length - measure it or assume 2.2 ft if you're female and 2.5 ft if you're male.
  2. Multiply the stride length by the number of steps, e.g.: 2.2 ft × 1,000 = 2,200 ft .
  3. Convert the result to miles: 2,200 ft / 5,280 ≈ 0.42 mi .

How do you calculate step count? ›

Another way to count steps is by using an average step count. On average, men and women walk about 2,252 steps per mile. Using this figure, calculate your steps using distance. To find your distance walked, you can use an online tool like On The Go Map and select your walk from point to point to get the total distance.

How many flights of stairs is 10,000 steps? ›

5 FLIGHTS OF STAIRS BEATS 10,000 STEPS A DAY. A new study published in the Journal Arteriosclerosis looked at 458,860 adults in the UK and found an association between two things. 2.

How many minutes of activity is 10,000 steps? ›

10,000 steps is roughly equivalent to walking five miles or eight kilometres depending on your stride length, cadence, and height. If you are looking to get your 10,000 steps done all in one go, you'll be walking for around an hour and forty minutes.

How much activity is 10,000 steps? ›

Taking 10,000 steps is equal to walking approximately 5 miles. Unless you have an active job, such as a waiter or nurse, it is difficult to log 10,000 steps with daily activity only. An inactive person takes 3,000 steps or less in their daily activity of moving around the house.

How many miles is 10,000 steps? ›

Using 2,000 steps in one mile as an average benchmark, 10,000 steps is approximately 5 miles.

What is the app that calculates the number of steps? ›

When you open the Google Fit app, you'll find your fitness activities at the top of the screen. This summary includes estimates of active minutes, steps you've taken, calories you've burned, and your last workout. If you don't find a summary of your activity: On your Android phone, open the Google Fit app.

How many steps is 30 minutes of walking? ›

A brisk 30-minute walk is about 3,000 steps. And your risk of disease and premature death keeps dropping the more steps you take, up to about 10,000 steps a day.

Does walking in the pool count as steps? ›

Extra Credit for Water Walking

When it comes to energy expenditure, you really should count your pool steps as 120 - 150 steps per minute, a little more than you would be logging if you walked 3 miles per hour. Walking in the pool takes more energy than walking on land.

How many steps is 20 minutes of walking? ›

Buy and wear a pedometer to measure your steps. A 20-minute walk is about 120 steps per minute, or 2,400 steps. You can break that up into three walks of 800 steps each.

How many steps is 10 miles walking? ›

20,000 steps

What activity level is walking 10000 steps a day? ›

Low active is 5,000 to 7,499 steps per day. Somewhat active is 7,500 to 9,999 steps per day. Active is more than 10,000 steps per day. Highly active is more than 12,500.

What activity level is 10,000 steps? ›

Low active: About 5,000 to 7,499 steps daily. Somewhat active: About 7,500 to 9,999 steps daily. Active: More than 10,000 steps daily. Highly active: More than 12,500 steps daily.

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