Health · 5 July 2026
10,000 daily steps came from a pedometer advert, not science
Photo by Thom Milkovic on Unsplash
That 10,000 steps a day target actually came from a 1960s Japanese pedometer brand, not scientific research, though it happens to be a healthy amount. Studies now suggest significant health benefits begin at around 4,000 steps daily, with risks of death decreasing further with more walking. For older women, even 4,000 steps a day just once or twice a week was linked to notably lower risks of death.
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