The recommended number of steps you should walk each day varies based on age, fitness level, and health goals, but general guidelines are as follows:
- For most adults under 60 years old, aiming for about 8,000 to 10,000 steps per day is advised to maintain general health and fitness
- For adults aged 60 and older, a slightly lower target of 6,000 to 8,000 steps per day is sufficient and realistic, considering changes in biomechanics and energy expenditure with age
- Even walking fewer than 5,000 steps daily can offer health benefits compared to a sedentary lifestyle, with as few as 2,500 steps reducing risk of death from all causes, and benefits increasing with more steps
- If you are currently inactive or walking fewer than 5,000 steps daily, it is recommended to gradually increase your step count by 250 to 1,000 steps every week or two until you reach your goal
- The intensity of walking (pace) is less important than the total number of steps for health benefits
In summary, a good daily step goal is between 6,000 and 10,000 steps depending on your age and fitness level, with incremental increases from your current baseline being the best approach for lasting benefits
