Unlock This Surprising Habit That Boosted Daily Steps by Over 1,100 – And It’s Easier Than You Think!

Ever wonder if your zip code could be the sneaky culprit behind why your daily step count just won’t hit the mark? Turns out, where you hang your hat might be nudging you to walk more—or less—without you even realizing it . I mean, boosting your step count isn’t just about checking a box on your fitness app; it can seriously up your health game in a bunch of ways. A recent study dropped some eye-opening findings showing that moving to a more walkable city can literally add over a thousand steps a day to your routine, which—let’s be real—is like carving out an extra ten minutes of activity without a sweat . Of course, uprooting your life isn’t on everyone’s bucket list, but don’t let that stop you; there are clever ways to sneak more steps into your day wherever you are. Curious? Let’s dive into what this means for your daily moves and how you can make every step count, no matter your address. LEARN MORE

• A new study suggests that where you live could influence your step count.
• Boosting step count can be beneficial for your health in a number of ways.
• Here’s what the study found, and other ways to reap the benefits of more daily movement in your life.

If you’ve been struggling to hit your daily step count, new research has a solution: Move someplace more walkable.

At least, that’s the major takeaway from a new study published in the journal Nature. Researchers discovered that moving from an area that’s not very walking-friendly to a more walkable city can make a massive difference in your daily step count, potentially bringing a slew of health benefits along with it.

Sure, a big move isn’t feasible for most people. But there are other ways to ramp up your step count without making such a drastic change. Here’s what you need to know.

Meet the expert: Albert Matheny, RD, CSCS, co-founder of SoHo Strength Lab.

What did the study find?

For the study, researchers used data from the Argus step-tracking app to compare the daily step counts of 5,424 people who moved one or more times between 1,609 cities in the U.S.

The researchers analyzed Walk Scores (which measure things like how often a car is needed to get groceries and run other errands) for those cities, too. They found that when the Walk Score rose or fell more than 48 points, average steps increased or decreased by about 1,100 a day. When people moved between cities with similar Walk Scores, their step counts stayed about the same.

A few examples: The study looked at 178 people who moved to New York City, which has a Walk Score of 89, from other cities with an average score of 48. Their average daily steps rose by 1,400. But people who moved from New York to less walkable cities saw their average daily step counts drop by about 1,400 steps. By the way, experts say that hitting around 7,500 steps a day will do for adult, not necessarily the classic “10,000 steps” you’ve probably heard about. (It’s not a one-size-fits-all scenario).

The researchers wrote that the findings show “robust evidence” that changes in a person’s environment can directly improve their physical activity, and maybe even their health.

What constitutes a “walkable” city?

A “walkable” city is one that gives people plenty of opportunities to walk during their day. It looks at things like amenities (grocery stores, parks, drug stores) that are close by and can be accessed by foot, as well as how often someone may need to rely on a car to get around.

What are the most walkable cities in the US?

The most walkable large cities in the U.S. are New York, San Francisco, and Boston, according to the Walk Score.

What are the least walkable cities in the US?

The least walkable cities in the U.S. include Fayetteville, NC, Chesapeake, VA, and Winston-Salem, NC.

How can I boost my daily step count without moving?

First, it’s important to put all this information into perspective, says Albert Matheny, RD, CSCS, co-founder of SoHo Strength Lab. A jump or drop of 1,100 steps a day seems intimidating, but Matheny points out that it actually equals about 10 minutes of walking for most people. “If you’re in a walkable city, great. If you’re not, don’t be like, ‘That’s part of my problem,'” he says.

If you’re not in a walkable city, Matheny recommends joining a local gym or investing in a home treadmill to try to increase your daily step count. Even if your area isn’t considered walkable, there may be trails and neighborhoods you can walk around to increase your step count, he adds.

If you don’t feel like your area is safe for walking and a standard treadmill is out of your budget, Matheny suggests getting a walking pad, which is usually pretty inexpensive.

You can also start doing what Matheny calls “the basic stuff,” like taking the stairs and parking far away from your destination. As Matheny points out, all of those steps add up.

Finally, if you’re planning to make a move, consider walkability elements when choosing a new home, like sidewalks and trails. Having those easily accessible can go a long way toward increasing that step count.

Korin Miller is a freelance writer specializing in general wellness, sexual health and relationships, and lifestyle trends, with work appearing in Men’s Health, Women’s Health, Self, Glamour, and more. She has a master’s degree from American University, lives by the beach, and hopes to own a teacup pig and taco truck one day.