Step counters and fitness watches can be motivating, but they can also become another source of pressure. You don’t need expensive gadgets to be active; a simpler approach works well for many people.

If you do have a basic pedometer or phone tracker, use it as a rough guide, not a strict judge. Instead of fixating on a specific step number every single day, look at weekly patterns. Are you active on most days? Is there a day where you barely move? That’s useful information.

If you prefer no gadgets, create behaviour goals: walk for 20–30 minutes daily, take the stairs whenever practical, stand up and move for a couple of minutes every hour of sitting. These habits automatically raise your activity level.

Remember that steps aren’t everything. Strength training, stretching, and rest also matter. The aim is a sustainable, enjoyable movement pattern, not perfect numbers on a screen.

When tracking supports your lifestyle, keep it. When it starts making you feel guilty or anxious, simplify.