Do You Really Need 10,000 Steps A Day?

That magic number on your fitness tracker might be stressing you out for no reason. New research shows you don't need to hit 10,000 steps daily to see major health benefits.

A team of researchers conducted a comprehensive systematic review of 57 studies examining how step counts affect everything from heart disease to dementia. Their findings, published in The Lancet Public Health, offer relief for anyone intimidated by five-digit step goals.

The sweet spot? About 7,000 steps per day.

Where 10,000 Came From

The 10,000-step target that dominates fitness culture wasn't born from science. It came from a 1965 Japanese marketing campaign for an early pedometer made by Yamasa Clock called Manpo-kei, which translates to "10,000 steps meter." According to Harvard Health, the number was essentially a marketing tool with no scientific basis behind it.