Does stepping on the spot work to lose weight?

[Heathcote294]

I've found weightloss group on FB, they aim for 10k steps a day and seem to do a lot of them by stepping on the spot for 30mins+. I've joined in a couple of times but I'm wondering if it actually burns many/any calories and if they're all just wasting their time. It doesn't feel like I'm buying anything off at all.

No, in general the only way to lose weight is by diet. Exercise is negligible. Of course exercise is good for keeping fit. Walking or
doing a workout would surely be more effective and less boring than staying in one spot.

I don't think it contributes much to actual weight loss but any movement is good.
I do this sometimes while I watch tv if I can't get out for whatever reason. I hold weights in my hands and do some arm exercises at the same time and exaggerate my steps, lifting my legs higher than normal.
Weight loss comes mainly from changing diet.

I think it must do, but I guess it depends how vigorously you do it (knees up, pumping your arms) how many calories you burn.

Please could you tell me the name of this group (by pm if you prefer)as I’d love to try this.

It won't burn many calories but it's certainly not a waste of time either. Much better than not moving at all but personally I'd find it incredibly boring.

I suppose it would be harder to eat whilst doing this. I think that's part of how exercise works, it takes away eating time!

Nope, it is negligible really. The trick is on the diet.

There's loads of walking workouts on YouTube, much more interesting than just stepping on the spot.

I disagree with this. While it's true you can't outrun a bad diet, if you keep eating the same as you are but add in movement that burns an extra 300/400/500 calories a day you will lose weight no matter if that additional activity is walking/running/cycling or whatever. If you move more but allow yourself extra calories that's never going to work. To answer OPs specific question it would depend on the briskness of your walking on the spot. I think you probably could make it just as good for energy burning if you marched vigorously on the spot.

Oh Lordy ignore my post, quoted the wrong one 😩🤣 sorry @IHateFlies!

I can't imagine a more dull way to pass the time! If you can't leave the house, walking up and down the stairs will certainly get your heartrate up, and would be much more likely to have an effect. But just go for a 30 min brisk walk if you want to spend 30 minutes walking!

Just walk rather than stepping on the spot. It's more fun and you'll be more likely to stick to it. Repetitive exercise like that is more likely to injure you to if you're a sedentary type. Walking is a surprising diverse piece of mechanics in comparison because of the different surfaces you encounter.
And yes, weight loss is only really possible with calorie reduction. Tho exercise is good in and of itself

I wouldn’t dismiss it, any moment is good for you. Try something like this while watching tv
m.youtube.com/watch?v=35G7AW78kxo

That sounds a great idea. I can see how easy it would be to fit in during the day.

Not all of us have the time or lifestyle to go for daily walks or to the gym, and let’s face it any activity is better for the body.

I'm not a pt or professional, and I don't know whether it would make a difference to calories burned but I'm sure walking on the spot would engage different muscles than actually going for a walk as you're not creating a stride if that makes sense. And no adjustments for uneven ground, walking up or down hill etc.
Not everyone would have that 30 min available to go for a walk outside (eg if you did exercise in the evening and had no childcare) but I think I might find it a bit boring, tbh.

Activity is a good thing and bursts of frequent movement are good for the metabolism. People with active lifestyles tend to find it easier to maintain weight loss than sedentary people. It's not going to cause major losses, and the body tends to adapt to increase appetite after serious exercise. Retaining muscle mass and not losing it along with fat loss has a range of good health effects.

Prolonged stepping on the spot would be pretty tedious and is a pretty restricted range of movement. Doing little bursts while brushing teeth or waiting for a kettle to boil is fine. Walking workouts like Leslie Samson or Get Fit with Rick are better for a longer burst. Getting out for a walk, better still, as being outside brings additional benefits.

It's not going to change your life, but it's a decent starting point to general better, healthier habits, and better than nothing.

If it's that you can't get out to exercise (often difficult when you have kids) you'd be much much better off doing a 30-minute resistance home work out.

I know someone who walks a lot but is very overweight. I'm pretty sure it's because she doesn't ever walk quickly. It's all at dawdling pace.

Despite everyone saying exercise doesn't help with weight loss I've definitely been at my trimmest when doing a lot of walking/cycling as part of my daily life and those phases have coincided with me working in Paris/London and buying cappuccinos and pastries most days!

It's called 'no bullshit excuses' on Facebook.

Thanks for all the replies, interesting to read everyone's thoughts. I think I'll join in on days when I can't get out. As a pp said, it's got to be better than nothing.