Quick summary: New data from Sekonda’s Smart Movement report, drawn from over 240,000 daily activity entries, confirms that walking accounts for 42% of all tracked exercise sessions among UK smartwatch users, making it the most popular form of physical activity in the country. The findings, released to coincide with National Walking Month, show that most people maintain fitness through everyday habits such as commuting and dog walks rather than structured gym routines, with users averaging around 6,000 steps per day. For public health, the data reinforces clinical guidance that moderate, consistent movement at accessible levels offers meaningful protection against heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and premature mortality.
New data from Sekonda reveals that walking is the most popular form of exercise among UK smartwatch users, making up 42% of all tracked activity sessions and showing how everyday movement supports health without the need for gym routines.
Analysis from Sekonda’s Smart Movement report, based on over 240,000 daily activity entries across 10 months, shows that millions of Brits are already incorporating fitness into their daily lives through simple habits such as commuting, school runs, dog walks and weekend strolls. Most people stay active through repeatable everyday habits rather than structured gym routines or high-intensity training.
Walking dominates UK activity data
Across 2025, Sekonda users averaged around 6,000 steps per day, with step counts peaking in the brighter months of spring and early summer from March to June, when averages rose above 6,200 steps daily. Activity continued year-round through routine behaviours even as seasons changed.
Walking also significantly outperformed other forms of exercise, recording 23,944 sessions compared to 11,662 running sessions, making it almost twice as popular.
Dr Tom Maggs, Chief Medical Officer at Healthwords.ai, said: “You don’t need to aim for 10,000 steps a day to see real health benefits. Research shows that around 5,000 to 6,000 steps daily, especially at a brisk pace, can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and premature mortality. The most important thing is consistency, not intensity.”
Pete Ogley, CEO of Time Products, said: “This data shows that real fitness doesn’t look like social media. Our customers are everyday people fitting movement into real lives, and walking is what works. By keeping smartwatches affordable, we help people stay motivated without feeling pressured into extreme routines.”
The Sekonda smart range
As National Walking Month encourages people across the UK to move more throughout May, Sekonda offers three smartwatches to support different fitness levels and goals.
The Sekonda Track Smartwatch (£39.99) is aimed at those building good habits. It features real-time step and calorie tracking, multiple sports modes, and sleep monitoring. Key specifications include:
- Heart rate monitor, menstrual alerts, hydration and sedentary reminders, notifications, camera and music control, and weather.
- 26mm rectangular plastic case with 1.47-inch fully interactive touch screen, 16mm interchangeable strap and customisable dial.
- Strap length range: 145mm to 217mm.
- Water resistance IP68, up to 10 days battery life, two-year guarantee.
- Compatible with Android 7.1 and above and iOS 12.0 and above via the Sekonda Smart app.
The Sekonda Flex Plus (£74.99) is designed for those who want style alongside function. Available with a stainless steel mesh bracelet in silver and rose gold plated finishes, it features real-time step and calorie tracking, a dedicated yoga sports mode, heart rate monitor, and Bluetooth calling. Additional features include:
- Sleep tracking, multiple sports modes, guided breathing exercises, menstrual alerts, hydration and sedentary reminders, camera and music control, and weather.
- 42mm metal case with 1.3-inch AMOLED interactive touch screen, 20mm interchangeable strap, customisable dial, and rotating crown navigation.
- Water resistance IP68, up to ten days battery life, two-year guarantee.
- Compatible with Android 7.1 and above and iOS 12.0 and above via the Sekonda Smart app.
The Sekonda Active Pro Smart Watch (£119.99) is built for those driven by results. It includes built-in GPS and map-your-exercise features, 100-plus sports modes, a dedicated swimming mode, and a water lock function for full water resistance in the pool or open water. Additional features include:
- Cycle distance tracking, steps and calorie tracking, hydration and sedentary reminders, sleep tracking, stress monitoring, music control, and weather.
- 47mm metal case with 1.4-inch AMOLED end-to-end touch screen, 22mm interchangeable strap, customisable dial, and rotating crown navigation.
- Water resistance IP68 plus water lock (suitable for swimming and snorkelling, not diving), up to ten days battery life, two-year guarantee.
- Compatible with Android 7.1 and above and iOS 12.0 and above via the Sekonda Pro app.