The U.S. Department of Health and Human services recommends that people exercise at a moderate intensity for at least 150 minutes per week. A pedometer is a good motivational tool increasing the number of steps you take every day. However, pedometers only tell you how far you walk, not how fast. Exercise intensity is an important factor in determining the health benefits of physical activity. As a rule of thumb, walking 100 steps per minute is a good pace for maximizing the health benefits of exercise and promoting weight control.
(Reuters Health, March 17, 2009)