Martin Lewis averaged '24,703 steps a day' in 2024 thanks to one 'big rule'
He's the guru behind game-changing advice on all things personal finance - be it, energy bill tips or DWP claims. So, it may surprise you to hear that Martin Lewis, 52, has now opened up about his personal fitness routine, having achieved a staggering 9,041,317 steps in 2024.
Overall, that equates to roughly 24,703 steps per day, smashing the commonly praised '10,000 steps' health target. While the MoneySavingExpert (MSE) boss admitted it had become quite an 'obsession' during the past year, he owes much of his success to one 'big rule'.
"If I have a phone call to make, or a meeting that doesn't need a video call, then I do it while walking," he said in an online blog. "Often, this is outdoors – I try to get all my calls arranged in a row, so I can have a long walk."
READ MORE: I'm A Celeb star Myleene Klass admits 'I abhor' after 'bumping into' King Charles
READ MORE: Major contactless payment change plans for Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Aldi, Asda
Ahead of his show every Tuesday, Martin explained that he doesn't get transport to the filming studio, but instead completes a 75-minute walk, even when it's snowing or raining. His overarching goal is to avoid every form of transport and only use it in rare, exceptional circumstances.
When he's running late, carrying golf clubs or travelling a distance greater than 10km, Martin's more tempted to hop in a vehicle. However, he continued: "For many this will sound bizarre, but I find obeying self-imposed routines can help with health and fitness, so if it keeps me stepping, it's good."
Despite Martin's ambitious walking targets, the NHS asserts that you 'do not have to walk for hours' to reap the benefits from this low-intensity exercise. In fact, just a brisk 10-minute walk per day can help you build stamina and burn off calories while potentially bolstering heart health.
In a previous ZOE Podcast, Professor Claire Steves from King's College London, also revealed that just 45 minutes of walking three times a week could enhance your brain health too. At the time, she said: "So, to improve your cognitive health, you need to do more exercise than you're doing now - up to a point - unless you're an Olympic athlete.
"That's the key thing. If we look at really big population studies, we can see effects, even with minimal levels of exercise and it's fairly linear...So, whatever you're doing, if you go up by a third, you'll be improving yourself."
What is a 'brisk walk'?
The NHS encourages Brits to incorporate 'brisk walks' into everyday life, which means moving at around three miles per hour. If you're unsure how fast you're walking, it recommends downloading the the free Active 10 app on your smartphone, which can give you suggestions on how to boost your speed.
The health authority's advice adds: "If you're not very active but are able to walk, increase your walking distance gradually. If your joints are a problem, check whether your local swimming pool holds exercise classes.
"The water helps to support your joints while you move and can help you strengthen your muscles."