Do We Really Need 10,000 Steps Each Day?

The health benefits of walking and running are undeniable, as many of us aim for 10,000 steps a day to reap the rewards for our mental and physical well-being.

During the pandemic, going for a walk was one of the few activities that we could take up to get out of the house, and since then, many of us have kept up the habit.

However, health experts are now putting into question the idea that we need so many steps.

@thenutritiontea Walk and chat #movement #joyfulmovement #10000steps #dietitiantips #moveyourbody #prospectpark #brooklynwalks #dietitiansontiktok ♬ love nwantinti (ah ah ah) – CKay

TikTok creator and nutritionist Shana Minei Spence has taken to the app to share that the 10,000 steps may have come about as part of a marketing strategy.

The number originally came from a Japanese company that produced pedometers.

The company’s name roughly translates to 10,000, and they thought it would be a good marketing strategy to promote 10,000 steps per day.

@caitlynhunter_nutrition How many steps per day do you aim for? #healthyhabits #stepgoal #movementismedicine ♬ original sound – Caitlyn Hunter

Another nutritionist Caitlyn Hunter has suggested that you actually only need 7,000 to 7,500 steps a day to get the most health benefits.

So there you go! You don’t need to push for 10,000 if it is too much pressure on your body.

If you do enjoy exercising, however, getting more steps will not cause any negative repercussions for your health, it’s just not a figure you need to get too fixated on.

The HSE recommends starting off with a brisk 10-minute walk if you’re new to walking, and you should be aiming for 8km each day if you’re used to walking.

Written by Rebekah O’Reilly

• exercise
• fitness