100,000 Steps in a Day? Totally Possible, Say These 3 Fitbit Users

woman on a quest to take 00,000 steps in one day

Taking 100,000 steps in one day may sound insane—heck, some of you doubt that it can be done at all—but the truth is, 100K in a day is a milestone that many Fitbit users have managed to hit. So many, in fact, there’s even a Fitbit Badge to commemorate the accomplishment.

To find out what it really takes to rack up this kind of mileage—and inspire more people to try—Fitbit reached out to three users who wrote about their 100,000-steps experience in the Fitbit Community forums and asked them to elaborate. Below, in their own words*, these walking warriors explain how they did it—and how you can, too.

The True Stories of 3 Fitbit Users Who’ve Taken 100,000 Steps in One Day

Heidi L.

Heidi takes 100,000 steps in one day

Date of completion: June 24, 2017

How long did it take? 15 hours and 15 minutes

How she did it: I completed 50,000 steps a week without issue and was logging an average of 17,000 steps per day for a few weeks (with some 25k and 30k days in there, too) before I attempted 100K. On the day I set out to take 100,000 steps I started walking at 5:30 a.m. I knew I would be walking for about 50 miles give or take, carrying my phone in my hand, sunglasses and a hat on my head, and a credit card, photo ID, and chapstick in my pocket. I wore an old pair of sneakers, comfortable shorts, a loose tank top, a sports bra with no tags, and good running socks. I planned my route so that I was never walking more than 3 hours straight without a destination spot, such as a coffee shop or gas station. It helped to have destination points to focus on, as it would have driven me nuts to do this on a treadmill or by walking in circles around a neighborhood. My lunch break was the longest amount of time I stopped—about 20 minutes. Each of the few bathroom stops were less than 10 minutes, sometimes just five. I did not sit down except at breakfast, lunch, restroom breaks, and supper.

Best piece of advice? Overall, it helped me to just decide to do it, and get it finished with as little stopping as possible. Don’t get into that frame of mind where you think, ‘I’ve walked so much, I can just stop now.’ If I had stopped at 80K, I would have had to do 80K all over again just to get back to that point, and I didn’t want to do that.

Grahame L.

Grahame on his way to taking 100,000 steps in one day.

Date of completion: March 14, 2017

How long did it take? 16 hours and 30 minutes

How he did it: The week I turned 70, I set out to walk 70,000 steps in one day, which I had been planning to do for months. But once I was well into my walk, the lure of that magic 100,000-steps goal was too great, so I pushed on to achieve it. I had been building up my steps over the previous months, but found it to be more of a mental battle than a physical one. I’m a very determined person though, and once I had been walking for a couple of hours, there was no way 70K wasn’t going to be done, even if I had to finish on my hands and knees. I broke the walk up into sections and took a short break after each section at different cafes. I brought plenty to drink on the walk and listened to music. If I didn’t have my music, I don’t think I would’ve been able to walk that much. I got a blister on my left foot after 70K, but I just taped it up, put on a spare pair of walking shoes, and didn’t stop until I reached my goal. I’m pleased that I achieved 100,000 steps in one day, but I will never do it again. I didn’t find it easy, but then again, I am 70 years old. As long as you have done the prep you should be all right.

Best piece of advice? Pick a date far enough off in the future that you can slowly build up your step count and not put yourself under too much pressure. Just keep chipping away at it and you will get there. You’ve got to really want to do it, and you have to be mentally geared up for it. If there’s any doubt, then you won’t achieve it. I nearly gave in, but I fought through.

Allie E.

Date of completion: July 8, 2017

How long did it take? 13 hours and 30 minutes

How she did it: The first time I attempted 100,000 steps, I failed. I was in the mountains and there was a lot of elevation change. The second time I attempted it, I knew I had to do it on a flat surface. But on this attempt, I ran out of time. I was only 3,000 steps short! The third time I attempted the challenge, I knew I had to get an early start so that I wouldn’t run out of time. I did it on a vacation day when there was nothing else to do. I didn’t really plan out the route—just that it would be flat. I walked 50K in one direction, and then turned around and walked back. I took food and cold drinks—a sandwich, fruit, lots of water—with me and kept refilling a water bottle up and pouring it over me. I ended up changing my shoes halfway through (from walking shoes to walking sandals) because of blisters. But I didn’t stop once—not even for a little break. At 11:30 p.m. I had successfully completed 100,000 steps.
Best piece of advice? Figure out how to accomplish 100,000 steps without running out of time. Start early and don’t do hills!

*Responses have been edited for brevity and clarity. Some names and identifying details have been changed to protect the privacy of users.

44 Comments   Join the Conversation

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  • I figured it had to be a situation where you have the time to do it or an environment where you walk or run all day. I was very curious as to how people were doing it at such a frequency. Congrats to those who honestly achieved such an awesome milestone!!!

    • Yes kudo’s to those (as Sean says) who have “honestly achieved” the milestone. I’ve participated in a few “challenges” (Daily & Weekly) to where some participants have logged ’50k – 70k’ steps each day of said challenge which has definitely raised an eyebrow to make you ever so wondered how in the world can that be done.

        • Yes, I just did a challenge where the participant logged over 75000 steps everyday for 5 days straight. Seems very unlikely.

  • I agree – you have to have the time. I work all day so I barely get 18k in per day. On the weekends, I’m either busy catching up on house stuff and the kids or I’m just plain enjoying the “doing nothing” part of the week.
    I’ve lost 31.8 pounds, by only walking, no running or other exercising, in 8 months. I love my FitBit!

  • I had been very curious about this, the how to do it and amount of time it would take. Awesome to find out how these people did. Thanks so much for sharing!

  • I have to wonder how they felt the next day even after all that prep work. I know I wouldn’t be able to move!

  • I am not sure fitbit system can keep track of anything over 60000 for more than once. i have had 70000 three times and fitbit only acknowledge one.

  • Wow. I am in awe. I have managed 60,000 on a day I ran a marathon. I dragged my dogs out for a last walk to get that. I will be 65 next July. Maybe that will give me something to aim for.

  • I CAN DO THIS – and your article has arrived at just the right moment.
    thanksomuch – if I start now, at age 70, with injury-leftover-touchyspots, I can do it for Spring! yes. The 10K happen nearly every day for me , with little effort. keeping the 10K while I perfect sleep/eat a bit better and 25K will be easy by Halloween, with small increase thru the nice busy holidays and then an upsurge at the New year…50K by Valentines and 75 for Easter , done once, and 100K for “The First Warm Day in May” yes.

  • SO impressed! I did 30k on Mother’s Day and that was huge for me! Thanks for their stories, makes me want to try for 100k!

  • I’m going to run a 12 hour ultra marathon next month, hoping to hit 100k steps, goal is 45 miles. I guess if I don’t make it in 12 hours I will just have to keep stepping!

  • I plan to obtain my 100,000 step badge the day after Thanksgiving. I will start at midnight on a Planet Fitness treadmill and go until seven. Then, it is a five mile walk on a greenway to my house. I will relax and take off on the greenway back to PF at 4:30. Once on the treadmill the test will be to get to that big number by midnight. I figure I am less than ten weeks to my Pole to Pole Badge. Will there be other lifetime distance badges added?

    • Well, on 25NOV17 I was successful in obtaining my Olympian Sandal badge. I finished the day with 100,778 steps, and, I was done before 6p. Tomorrow I should be getting my Pole to Pole Badge. C’mon, FitBit, time to add more lifetime step badges.

    • I did obtain my Olympian Sandal badge on 25NOV17. I should get my Pole to Pole Badge tomorrow. Het, FitBit, will more lifetime fitness badges be added?

  • I have a hip replacement which is only 2.5 years old, had spinal surgery only 6 months ago and now had 3 shots in one knee as I will need 2 knee replacements. I can only do what I can do. I wish this community would address people like me, seniors who have had parts removed. I can do 4000 steps most days, sometimes 5000, not much more as the pain sets in. Someone answer me.

    • Joyce, as a therapist and motivational coach, I can only say, be proud of you and what you can do. Don’t compare with others, their will always be those who can walk farther and those who can not walk at all. Enjoy each step you take every day and just keep stepping

  • I completed the Oxfam 100kms walk a couple of years ago which was over 100,000 steps. In the lead up to that walk my team and I did walks of 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 kilometres to train for the event.

  • I just got mine! I ran an ultra marathon, 12 hour loop race (1200m loop)I got 92k during race and walked the last 8 after. The badge said congrats on earning the ultimate day badge so I guess there isn’t another after 100k? If I raced the 24hr, I would have gotten over 100, but not much more than maybe 120k tops. The ultra was a great opportunity because it was flat and route was defined. Although there were aid stations, I brought my own food and drink, just used water from stations. I ran the race in Timisoara, Romania. I highly recommend trying it! If u can get at least 8hr time on feet with a 75%run and 25% walk, you can push through! Thx Fitbit for the extra incentive to finish strong!

  • I am in a Weekend Warrior challenge with people who are posting tremendous numbers and averaging 100k/day! Fitbit should contact them and do a story. One has lost over 56 pounds! Walking 45 miles a day is astonishing to me.

    • Is that like their full time job.. averaging 100K steps per day seems a bit unrealistic in terms of work-life-balance. Physically totally realistic, but that would be the ONLY thing you were doing in the day, especially if you are claiming an average. let’s say they average a 20min/mile pace (to include fuel/restroom/misc.) that means they are walking 15 hours a day. Presumably they still need to sleep, work, recover, and have family time? Hat’s off to this group for their extreme commitment to the steps!

  • Do my steps need to be measured as they did with a step-counter? I just put mine on today for the first time and have logged 7,000+ steps just in the house. MInd you I’ve done the hallway lots of times back and forth to the laundry room, and up and downstairs. Is that possible?

  • My fitbit tells me I have walked more steps than I know I have. I can walk from my bedroom to my kitchen – about 30 steps and it tells me I have walked approx 90 steps. How can I fix this

  • Congrats to the people that actually achieved this amazing milestone. Well done.
    I’m guessing (not really) at that push for 100k within 24hrs. Its a little dubious about the people that achieve 200k plus steps in 12 hours in some of these challenges. I’m lucky to make 20k in a normal day.

    Hats of to the genuine challengers. What an achievement. Keep it up! You really do inspire!

  • Surprisingly if your fit enough 100000 steps in a day isn’t that difficult if you plan it carefully ofcourse. However doing the same in the gym I have found difficult to achieve.

  • A group of us are attempting this challenge this weekend, in Toronto. We are starting north on Yonge street (longest street in the world) and walking down it till the end, and then back again till we hit 100k. Lots of places for water and snacks on the way, plus the subway is there if anyone has to bail out. We are starting at 6:30 and, based on our calculations, should take us 16 hours.

    Wish us luck!

  • i started at 10 steps a day for a week
    the next week i did 20 steps a day for a week
    the next week i did 30 steps a day for a week
    not 30.000 just 30 steps
    the next week i did 40 steps a day for a week
    not 40.000 just 40 steps
    the next week i did 50 steps a day for a week
    not 50.000 just 50 steps like to the bathroom and back
    the next week i did 60 steps a day for a week
    not 60.000 just 60 steps
    i have spent so much time typing this out that i dont have any time for walking
    but i think fitbit is a good idea it keeps you healthy and everything

  • Just achieved this today. 2 nights ago I stayed up all night after a day of work and working out at the gym. That was a challenge in itself. To stay awake I went for walks lol. Once morning arrived I went to work. When I got home I went to sleep right away. I had my alarm for 11:40. At midnight I started my adventure. I had my phone with headphones, a disposable water bottle and a $25 Tim Hortons card. I had planned a 2.5 hour loop and then walk the neighborhood but I decided that would get boring so I altered the root and I ended up being 6.5 hours. I took 10-15 minute breaks every couple hours. I also went to the YMCA ro.do.some treadmill to warm up. I even hit a groceries for about 30 minutes and just walked. Switching scenery really helped. 17hours and 7 minutes later I completed it. Both feet are blistered and I fear mobility tomorrow but I’m very proud and earned every single step

    • For the record I average 23000 a day so this was a hell of a challenge. I started at midnight for fear of running out of time

  • I am doing 20,000 steps every day for the past 8 months. On Saturdays, I shoot for 40,000 steps. Three times, I have passed 50,000, twice passed 65,000 and once 75,000. I start very early in the morning. I take breaks at 20,000 intervals to rest my feet and raise them up. The problem is not time but after 75,000 steps my feet just don’t want to go any further. The good news is that my recovery the following day has gotten much shorter…after 75,000 I got 15,000 on Sunday. In comparison, the first 50,000 Saturday had me in a considerable amount of pain on Sunday.

  • Completed 100,000 step day yesterday (7 June). Top tips: get good shoes/boots – I bought a new pair a while back, took 1.5 hours fitting to get the right fit and wore them in over 2 months, do it in mid-summer (I started at 0500 and it was fully light in UK – finished 15.5 hours later), carry as little as you can (card/cash to buy food and water as you go along), make sure you take ibuprofen with you (I got bad back pain after 30 miles – I know, weird), think of it as a (very long) walk home! Would do it again, but not today!

  • I’ve done it twice now, 2/10/18 I did 105K started just before 4am and took a few breaks, got to 100K at around 9pm. Did it again 6/30/18, again starting at 4am, I have a route that gives me 25K steps. It does include hills, but I was up for the challenge. Got to 100K at 715pm (15 hours) and finished the day with 110k steps and 400 floors (Canyon Badge). There is pain, but as a prior US Marine, it’s weakness leaving the body.

  • Your stories are very inspiring, thank you all for sharing. Three of us are planning to go for the 100k this autumn.

  • I’ve only had a fit bit for a month. While walking and hiking around Lake Tahoe, I achieved my first day of 20,000 steps. I’m going to try for a thirty thousand step day and just work my way towards 100k.

  • I completed 100,000 steps one year ago today and I plan to do it again this coming weekend. The plan is the same but I will start at midnight rather than 3:00 AM so I don’t have to worry about time. I will walk the city sidewalks and only carry my phone and a few $ for Starbucks. I will walk continually until about 5:00 PM (eat and drink on the move). Take a shower, sit for a good dinner and then finish in the neighborhood. Persistence and getting lost in thought is the key to success. If you can walk without thinking about walking, it makes for a great adventure. Focus on nature, architecture, family and friends. It hurts really good.

  • I’m working my way up to the 100K a day challenge. Im close to 100K a week just walking around at work. I want to do it without running any of the steps.

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