Blog

Walking, habits, and the data behind both.

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Does Hiking Count as Steps? What Your Apple Watch and iPhone Actually Track

Hiking counts as steps like any walk - but trekking poles cut your count nearly in half, and elevation gain never shows up in the number at all. What actually happens on a trail, and what to check instead.

Tech

Does Rowing Count as Steps? What Your Apple Watch Actually Tracks

Apple's Indoor Rowing workout tracks duration, calories, and heart rate - and stops there, with no distance or stroke count in sight. Why the stroke never triggers a step, and what Stepzy still shows for the session.

Weight loss

Does Walking Backward Burn More Calories? What Retro Walking Research Actually Shows

Backward walking is rated at 6.0 METs versus 4.3 for brisk forward walking, and a 2019 randomized trial found it built knee strength faster than walking forward. The real numbers, and whether your iPhone or Apple Watch even counts it.

Health

Walking and Cancer Risk: What Two 2025 Studies Actually Found

A 2025 British Journal of Sports Medicine study of 85,000+ UK Biobank adults ties daily step count to lower cancer risk, and a second 2025 study ties walking pace to five specific cancers. The real numbers, and how to actually hit them.

Tech

Does Swimming Count as Steps? What Your Apple Watch Actually Tracks

Swimming doesn't register as steps on your Apple Watch or iPhone - the sensor reason why, what Health logs instead, and how Stepzy still shows your distance when there are no steps to count.

Tech

Does Golf Count as Steps? What Your Apple Watch Actually Shows

Golf produces real steps - your Apple Watch just doesn't display the number during the round. Why the Golf workout view hides it, the real step counts from two actual studies, and where Stepzy shows it anyway.

Step counting

Steps to Calories Chart: How Many Calories Does 5,000, 10,000, 15,000, or 20,000 Steps Burn?

A full steps-to-calories chart from 100 to 100,000 steps, a calorie-by-weight breakdown table, and the MET math behind both - plus why your phone's number won't match a calculator's.

Tech

Does Cycling Count as Steps? What Your Watch and iPhone Actually Track

Your Apple Watch won't turn a bike ride into steps - but your iPhone in your pocket might, for the wrong reason. Why each device treats cycling differently, and how Stepzy logs the ride either way.

Tech

Does an Elliptical Count as Steps? What Your Apple Watch Actually Shows

An elliptical never touches the ground, so it isn't a real step - but your Apple Watch might log one anyway. What actually decides whether it does, and how Stepzy handles a session either way.