Walking has really become the most praised workout of 2025. Studies show simply hitting 7,000 to 10,000 steps a day can improve everything from your mood and and overall health to lowering your chronic disease risk—and helping you torch calories and lose weight. Combine all of these benefits, and it's clear that walking is one of the best-kept secrets to living a longer and happier life.
That said, it takes the average person about 1.5 to 2 hours to hit 10,000 steps, depending on walking speed and stride length. If you've got a jam-packed schedule, you could break it up into shorter stints (studies show 10-minute sessions after meals can still deliver major health benefits, especially for your blood sugar, mood, and metabolism). Or, you can adopt a faster habit. Yes, a handful of workouts can actually double your step count in half the time. And did we mention they're fun? Here are 10 efficient and energizing routines designed to fast-track your health and weight loss goals.
RELATED: How to Walk 10,000 Steps Without Leaving the House
1. Stair Climbing
Stair Climbing WorkoutiStockThere's a reason the stair climber section of your gym is always crowded: The machine offers a powerful fat-melting workout while maximizing your step count.
Even in a stairwell, climbing up and down steps activates major muscle groups and boosts cardiovascular health. According to research published in Atherosclerosis, climbing just 50 steps a day may reduce your risk of heart disease by up to 20%. So, whether you take the stairs at work, sprint up your steps at home, or use a stair climber at the gym, it's one of the most efficient ways to elevate your step count.
2. Dancing
20. Take a dance break.ShutterstockBust a move in your living room, because those steps count.
Dancing—especially fast-paced styles—can easily add thousands of steps in a single session. One 30-minute dance workout, like a Zumba or hip-hop class, can burn 200–400 calories while giving your step tracker a serious boost.
3. Jumping Rope
7 | Jump ropeShutterstockYour favorite childhood pastime could be your wellness secret in adulthood. Jumping rope mimics a high step cadence—roughly 120–150 "steps" per minute.
Bonus: This fun activity (that you can rope your kids into) also improves your coordination, burns fat, and strengthens your core. Try one of these 7 jump rope workouts for a quick and enjoyable calorie burn.
4. Jumping Jacks
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This old-school cardio exercise gets your feet moving fast and jacks up your step count in a short period of time.
Try doing 3 rounds of 50 jumping jacks with short breaks in between—it's a great way to add steps quickly if you're stuck indoors or need to get moving in a pinch. In fact, it's a great hotel room workout if you're traveling.
5. Interval Walking
Incline BenefitsShutterstock This practice takes your average walk up a notch. Start by briskly speed walking for 30 seconds, then slow down for a minute. Repeat this sequence for a full 20 minutes.
This back-and-forth not only raises your heart rate but helps you accumulate steps quickly and efficiently. It's also great for burning fat and improving your overall endurance.
6. Race Walking
1 | Understanding the Science of Fat Burning While WalkingShutterstockThink of race walking as the Formula 1 of walking. With strict form (one foot should always be in contact with the ground, with your front leg straightened and your arms swinging at chest height, it allows you to move at impressive speeds without actually jogging or running.
When race walking, you can cover a lot of ground—fast. Elite race walkers can hit up to 200 steps per minute. And it's a full-body burn with your upper body involved in propelling you forward.
RELATED: 9 Walking Workouts to Burn Calories and Improve Your Heart Health
7. Sprint Drills
ShutterstockOK, this workout may not be fun, exactly, but it will get you to 10,000 steps in record time.
Sprint drills are a classic exercise for athletes. If you're up for the challenge, simply run as fast as you can for 20 to 30 seconds, then walk for a full minute to recover. Do this about 10 times (or however long you can) on a track, treadmill, or even in your backyard. Sprint drills are a great form of High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) that lead to big results in little time.
8. High Knees
3 | High march with arm stretchesShutterstockAnother type of HIIT workout that will get your heart racing is high knees.
March or jog in place while lifting your knees above hip level to form a 90-degree angle... as fast as you can. This intense movement counts as both cardio and core work, helping to chisel your abs while you get your steps in. Astonishingly, just one minute of high knees can rack up about 100 to 120 steps.
RELATED: I Walked 10,000 Steps for 30 Days and Experienced These Life-Changing Benefits
9. Side Shuffles
ShutterstockDo the shuffle! Side-to-side shuffles, in which you move your body quickly left, then right, with your knees slightly bent and your feet in a straight line, can be a great way to hit 7,000 steps or more.
Do them quickly for 30 seconds at a time to get the full cardio benefits. You'll be working various leg muscles, spiking your heart rate, and logging each foot touchdown.
10. Fast-Paced Bodyweight Circuits
8 | LungesShutterstockFinally, don't sleep on the effectiveness of your typical cardio workout routine consisting of different bodyweight movements.
Combining exercises like burpees, mountain climbers, and walking lunges in a circuit format can add significant steps to your daily count. Plus, it will elevate your heart rate, sculpt lean muscles, and equate to a fat-blasting full-body workout for a healthier and happier life.
