Glossary · Activity metric
Step Count
Definition
The total number of steps you've taken in a day, measured by accelerometers in your watch, fitness tracker, or phone. The longest-standing fitness metric — Fitbit popularized the 10,000-step daily goal in the early 2000s, though the figure is more cultural than scientific.
How MoveTogether uses it.
Step Count is one of the three universal metrics MoveTogether reads (alongside Exercise Minutes and Active Calories). The Step Count scoring method awards points per step taken across the competition window.
Not every wearable reports steps. WHOOP doesn't measure steps by design — it focuses on strain and recovery. Strava activities don't include step counts. For mixed-device competitions that include WHOOP or Strava users, MoveTogether recommends Workout Based or Percentage of Goals scoring instead.
The iPhone alone is enough to participate in Step Count competitions — the M-series motion coprocessor counts steps whenever the phone is on you.
Related terms
See step count in action.
MoveTogether is free on the App Store. Connect a wearable (or just your iPhone) and start your first competition this week.