Wondering if you need to walk 10,000 steps a day? Discover the truth behind this fitness myth and learn how many steps really matter for you
Is 10,000 Steps a Day Really Necessary?
Today, fitness trackers and activity monitors are everywhere. Many people aim to take 10,000 steps a day for good health. But is this goal really needed, or is it just a marketing trick? Let’s look into the facts to see if the 10,000-step rule is a must or if there’s more to staying active.
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health’s I-Min Lee says fitness trackers suggest we aim for 10,000 steps a day, which is about five miles1. But, taking fewer steps can still be good for you. A 2021 New York Times article mentioned studies showing you don’t need 10,000 steps daily to live longer.
A 2019 study by Lee found that women in their 70s who walked 4,400 steps a day cut their risk of dying early by about 40%. Taking more steps, up to 5,000, brought even more benefits. But the benefits leveled off at around 7,500 steps a day2.