The idea that we need to walk 10,000 steps a day has been repeated for decades, but few people know it started as a marketing slogan, not a medical guideline. Hitting that number isn’t the only way to stay healthy, and new research suggests you can get many of the same benefits with far fewer steps.
A recent analysis of more than 72,000 adults shows that walking even modestly more than usual—say, 4,000 to 5,000 steps a day—can reduce the risk of heart disease and early death. Here’s what scientists know about the link between step count, movement, and longevity, and what that means for anyone who’s not clocking in those elusive 10,000 steps every day.
What science says about 10,000 steps
The “10,000 steps” target has long been treated as the gold standard for fitness trackers and health apps. According to research led by Matthew Ahmadi, an epidemiologist at the University of Sydney, benefits to heart health and longevity start much earlier—around 4,000 steps per day for sedentary people.
The study tracked participants for seven years using wrist-worn accelerometers and found a clear pattern: every increase in daily steps lowered the risk of cardiovascular disease and premature death. The relationship was dose-dependent—meaning the more steps people took, the better—but the biggest jumps in health benefits came before reaching 10,000.
In highly sedentary individuals, heart health improved by 10% with just 4,300 steps a day, and that benefit nearly doubled when they reached around 9,700. The same trend appeared for longevity: at 4,100 steps, the risk of dying early dropped by 20%, and at roughly 9,000, it dropped by almost 40%.
Interestingly, the benefits held up even for those who sat for long periods during the day, a group often labeled as “highly sedentary”. That’s encouraging news for office workers and remote employees who spend much of the day sitting. Ahmadi’s team found that consistent movement, even in small doses, helps counteract the effects of prolonged sitting.
How to get more steps without stressing about the number
If you’re not hitting 10,000 steps, don’t panic. What matters most is consistency and adding a bit more movement than you’re used to. Experts recommend small, practical changes throughout the day:
- Add 1,000 steps at a time. Start small and increase the length of your walks gradually.
- Break up long sitting periods. Stand or walk for a few minutes every hour to boost circulation and energy.
- Make walking part of your routine. Park farther from the store, take the stairs, or get off public transit one stop early.
- Try weekend walking. According to Vanderbilt University cardiologist Evan Brittain, “weekend warriors”—people who are more active on certain days—enjoy nearly the same benefits as those active every day.
- Track your movement. Fitness watches or phone apps help keep you aware of your daily habits. The goal isn’t perfection, but higher awareness.
You don’t need to obsess over hitting 10,000. For most people, 4,000 to 7,000 steps a day—roughly 30 to 60 minutes of light walking—is enough to see health improvements. And if you enjoy it, you’ll naturally start doing more.