The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of a daily 10,000-step goal versus a personal step goal on step counts and adherence in sedentary women with different baseline activity levels. A secondary purpose was to investigate the effects of these goals on perceived competence. Ninety-two sedentary women (M age=43.2, SD=12.1) were used in the final analyses. Four cohorts of women participated in three phases of data collection, which included recording: (a) one week of baseline step counts, (b) three weeks of treatment step goals, and (c) a follow-up questionnaire. Repeated measures ANOVAs were used to assess differences in treatment (2), baseline activity level (3), and time (4). The main effect for treatment showed no difference in step counts, F(1, 86)=1.99, p=.162. The primary result for adherence showed only a significant interaction between treatment and baseline activity level, F(2, 86)=4.51, p=.014. Lastly, a significant increase in perceived competence over time was found, F(1,83)=6.38, p=.013, regardless of treatment. Consistent with the “effort-adherence tradeoff,” the women with low baseline step counts, given a daily 10,000-step goal, had significantly lower adherence to their step goal than all other groups. For short-term interventions, self-monitoring of accumulated steps results in increased step counts and perceptions of competence regardless of whether a 10,000-step goal or a more personalized step goal is used. Further research is necessary to examine which goals are effective in promoting physical activity in the long term. Evidence exists to suggest that more long-term interventions that personalize step goals can be effective when combined with comprehensive programs of self-monitoring and personalized feedback. Investigation into the relative influence of goal setting, self-monitoring, and/or feedback on physical activity levels is especially warranted in order to promote the national strategy of moderate intensity activity for health.