Most of us don’t know how many steps are in a mile or even how far 20,000 steps are. For people trying to get fit and lose weight, tracking progress is a vital part of the process — but it’s hard to do if you don’t have a good idea of how far you’ve come.
This article will help you understand how many miles are in 20,000 steps, how to track progress, and how to set goals.
How Far Is 20,000 Steps?
On average, 8.5 miles is the equivalent of 20,000 steps. This will depend on the terrain, elevation, and other factors.
Terrain
Walking or running in a flat, paved area will obviously be much easier than trying to cover the same distance over a hilly or rocky surface. The steeper and rougher the terrain, the more steps you’ll need to take to cover the same distance.
Elevation
Altitude also has an impact on how many steps it takes to cover a certain distance. The higher you are, the more steps you’ll need to take to cover the same distance as someone at a lower altitude. This is because there is less oxygen available at high altitudes, so your body has to work harder to get the oxygen it needs.
The Distances in Miles Walked by Stride Length
The average stride length is around 2.5 feet. This means that the average person will walk just over a mile when they take 20,000 steps, but this varies from person to person. Your stride length is based on several factors, such as your height and how much you exercise.
The Distance in Miles Run When Taking 20,000 Steps
If you’re running instead of walking, you’ll cover more ground with each step. On average, running a mile takes about 1600 steps. When you run 20,000 steps, you’ll have run just over 12 miles. It also depends on how fast you run — the faster you go, the more steps you’ll take per mile.
How To Track Your Progress
There are a few ways to track how many steps you’ve taken.
- Fitness Trackers: These devices usually come with an app that tracks how many steps you’ve taken and how far you’ve walked or run. It also has a built-in pedometer to track how many steps you’ve taken each day.
- Pedometers: Pedometers are small, clip-on devices that track how many steps you’ve taken. People can find them for a few dollars at most department stores or online.
- Smartphones: Several apps track how many steps you’ve taken. Just do a quick Google search to find the best one for you.
How To Set Goals For Achieving 20,000 Steps
Now that you know how far 20,000 steps are, you can set some goals to achieve this distance.
Try to walk for at least 30 minutes each day if you’re just starting. This will give you around 6,000 steps. Over time, work up to walking for an hour and taking 12,000 steps.
If you’re already active, try to increase how many steps you take each day by 500. This can be as simple as taking an extra walk around the block or going for a quick jog.
In Summary
20,000 steps are about the equivalent of walking or running eight and a half miles. The distance will vary depending on your stride length, but this is an excellent estimate to help you track your progress. We hope this article has helped you understand how many miles are in 20,000 steps. Happy walking!