There's no single number of daily steps that's right for everyone.
How much walking is appropriate for you depends on your current activity level, fitness, health, and individual circumstances.
But one thing is clear: regular movement matters, and increasing your daily activity can support your overall health and fitness.
So, how many steps should you actually aim for?
Let's break it down.
Is there a set number of steps everyone should aim for?
No. There isn't a universal daily step count that everyone needs to reach to be healthy or make fitness progress.
You might have heard recommendations to walk 7,000, 8,000, or even 10,000 steps per day.
While research has linked higher daily step counts with a variety of health benefits, those benefits aren't limited to reaching one exact number.
What matters is incorporating regular movement into your lifestyle and finding an activity level that's appropriate for you.
That said, having a clear goal can make it easier to stay consistent and track your progress.
And that's where our recommendation comes in.
Why does Studio Era recommend 8,000 steps per day?
At Studio Era, we generally recommend aiming for around 8,000 steps per day as a practical reference point.
It's a useful target that encourages consistent movement throughout the day, including outside your regular workouts.
Here's why we recommend it:
It's a measurable goal: Having a number to work toward gives you a simple way to monitor your daily activity.
It encourages movement beyond workouts: Staying active throughout the day complements your structured exercise sessions.
It's supported by research: Studies have associated daily step counts in this general range with meaningful health benefits.
It promotes consistency: Walking can be incorporated into everyday routines without always requiring additional structured workouts.
8,000 steps isn't a magic number, but it's a useful goal to work toward.
You don't suddenly unlock health benefits when you reach step 8,000, and missing that target doesn't erase the benefits of the steps you've already taken.
We recommend it because it provides a clear, practical direction for building an active lifestyle, not because everyone needs to reach exactly 8,000 steps to see results.
Why does walking matter for fitness and weight management?
Walking is one of the simplest ways to increase your daily physical activity.
And its benefits go beyond just burning calories.
Regular walking can help:
Increase daily movement: Walking throughout the day helps reduce sedentary time and keeps you more active outside your workouts.
Support cardiovascular health: Regular physical activity contributes to heart health and overall well-being.
Contribute to weight management: Walking increases energy expenditure and can complement balanced nutrition and strength training.
Build sustainable habits: Walking is a practical activity that can fit into many schedules and lifestyles.
This is why Maddie emphasizes daily movement alongside your workout routine.
Your training sessions are important, but staying active throughout the rest of your day matters too.
Do I need to walk for an hour and also reach 8,000 steps?
No! Your dedicated walks count toward your daily step goal.
You don't need to complete an hour-long walk and then accumulate another 8,000 steps on top of it.
Your daily step count includes movement from activities such as:
Dedicated walks
Walking during your workouts
Moving around your home
Running errands
Taking short walking breaks throughout the day
For example, if you've accumulated 5,000 steps through your usual activities and take a walk that adds another 3,000, you've reached 8,000 steps for the day.
The goal is your total daily steps, not an additional workout you need to complete.
And remember, you can spread your steps throughout the day. They don't all have to come from one long walk.
What if I'm not reaching 8,000 steps yet?
If you're currently walking much less than 8,000 steps, focus on gradually building toward a manageable goal.
There's no need to make a huge jump in activity overnight.
Start by understanding how much you're currently walking, then look for opportunities to add movement to your routine.
You might:
Take a short walk during a break.
Add a little more walking to your usual activities.
Move around between longer periods of sitting.
Gradually increase your steps as your fitness and circumstances allow.
The goal is to build consistency rather than force yourself to reach a number that isn't currently appropriate for you.
And if some days are more active than others, that's completely fine. You don't need to compensate for every lower-step day.
Keep 8,000 steps as a general reference while finding an activity level you can maintain.
How do I track my steps in Studio Era?
You can use Studio Era to track your daily steps and see how close you are to your goal.
To view your steps:
Open Home in the Studio Era app.
Scroll down to Activity.
Tap Steps.
Review your current step total and daily goal.
You can also customize the goal displayed in your app.
To change it:
From the Steps tracker, tap the pencil icon in the top-right corner.
Under Settings, find Daily goal.
Enter the step goal you want to track.
Tap Save.
Your Steps tracker will update to reflect your new goal.
You can also add steps manually or connect a supported health app or wearable to sync step data.
For detailed instructions, see Track your daily steps and water.
What if I need a more personalized step goal?
While Studio Era recommends around 8,000 steps as a general reference point, the appropriate amount of daily activity varies from person to person.
If you're unsure what step goal is suitable for your health, fitness level, or individual circumstances, consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized guidance.
Any medical advice or activity restrictions you've received should always take priority over Studio Era's general fitness recommendations.
The main takeaway: There's no universal step count that everyone needs to reach.
At Studio Era, we recommend aiming for around 8,000 steps per day because it's a practical target that encourages movement, consistency, and an active lifestyle.
Start from where you are, build your activity gradually, and focus on making daily movement a regular part of your routine.
It's about building sustainable habits, not chasing one perfect number.