What Happens to Your Body When You Start Walking 10,000 Steps a Day

Walking 10,000 steps a day has become a popular fitness goal. Here are just a few of the health benefits you'll experience once you start moving more.

10,000 steps a day - walking shoe close up
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Considering walking 10,000 steps a day?

Walking 10,000 steps a day has become a popular fitness goal. Though it’s certainly not the be all and end all of fitness, research has shown that the more steps you take in a day, the better.

Aiming to walk 10,000 steps a day (or any number that presents a challenge based on your current activity level), is a great way to motivate yourself to move more and to interrupt the time you spend sitting. As a result, it can have a tremendous impact on almost every part of your body. Here are 10 of the biggest health benefits you can expect from walking 10,000 steps a day.

Group of seniors walking on trail
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Walking 10,000 steps a day can boost your heart health

Regular physical activity helps increase the amount of oxygenated blood being sent to your muscles—the fitter you are, the more easily this happens, and the harder you will be able to work out.

Find out how it’s actually possible to reverse heart disease.

Walking 10,000 steps a day - Lung x-ray
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It will strengthen your lungs

Moving each day helps strengthen your lungs and surrounding muscles. As the rate and volume of oxygen you inhale goes up, so does your body’s ability to use it efficiently (a measurement referred to as your “VO2 max”). The fitter you get, the higher your VO2 max.

Discover the easiest way to get a full-body workout from walking.

Walking 10,000 steps a day - alert man
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It improves your concentration

Physical activity boosts the release of feel-good hormones (like endorphins) and also increases blood flow to the brain, which results in improved cognitive function. Not only do you feel less stressed and anxious when you regularly move, but you are also working toward improving your creativity, productivity and concentration.

Find out more habits that will boost your brain power.

Walking 10,000 steps a day strengthens bones - walking with groceries
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It strengthens your bones

Physical activity (particularly weight-bearing exercises) places extra stress on your bones, which helps improve their density and lowers your risk for osteoporosis later in life. Walking, and better yet running, are great places to start.

Check out the best exercises to relieve arthritis pain.

Walking 10,000 steps a day builds muscle
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Walking 10,000 steps a day builds muscle

Daily physical activity causes tiny tears in your muscles, which in turn, leads to increased muscle growth and strength.

Discover more daily habits to prevent muscle loss.

fitness goal: 10,000 steps a day
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It helps stabilize your blood sugar

When you’re physically active, your muscles use more of the glucose in your bloodstream, lowering your blood sugar as long as 24 hours after. Activity also helps the insulin in your body work more efficiently.

Find out the health benefits associated with owning a pet.

Blood pressure reading
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It can help lower blood pressure

Physical activity is important for preventing and managing high blood pressure. Getting in your daily 10,000 steps can help reduce the stiffness of your vessels, allowing blood to flow more freely.

Find out more natural remedies for high blood pressure.

Senior man stretching before walk
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It improves flexibility

Physical activity helps improve your flexibility, which in turn, helps improve posture, reduces risk for injury, and also decreases the number of aches and pains you feel during the day.

Can’t find the motivation to start walking 10,000 steps a day? Here’s how to make walking less boring.

Walking 10000 steps a day - enthusiastic woman walking
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It boosts your energy levels

Physical activity is a great way to boost energy levels and fight fatigue as it strengthens the heart and improves circulation.

Next, find out how much water you should drink to stay hydrated.

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