Lazy Hacks to Get More Steps Daily (No Extra Effort Needed)
We all know we should walk more. It’s good for us. It burns calories. It keeps our bodies from turning into stiff office-chair-shaped blobs. But let’s be real—finding the time (and motivation) to actually increase steps every day? That’s a whole different beast.
Maybe you’ve downloaded a step counter, proudly hit 10K a couple of times, and then promptly forgotten about it. Or maybe you’ve wondered, do you get more steps walking or running? and questioned if any of this even matters.
Spoiler alert: It does. And no, running doesn’t magically give you more steps (we’ll get into that).
So, if you want practical, no-BS ways to sneak in more steps without feeling like you’re in a never-ending treadmill nightmare—this is for you.
The Lazy Person’s Guide to Walking More (Yes, It’s Possible)
You don’t have to schedule a 5-mile walk every morning to step up your step count (see what I did there?). Instead, try these easy, non-effort ways to sneak in extra steps:
Walk while you wait. Microwave running? Walk in circles. Coffee brewing? Walk in circles. Standing in a line? Pace back and forth like you’re deep in thought.
Park like you hate convenience. Stop circling the parking lot like a vulture looking for the closest spot. Park further away and force yourself to walk.
Take the stairs (duh). No, really—skip the elevator. Your legs will thank you (eventually).
Bathroom breaks = walking breaks. If you work in an office, choose the furthest restroom. No one will question it. Probably.
Reality Check: Does Walking Really Count as Exercise?
YES! Some people think if you’re not drenched in sweat, it doesn’t count. Those people are wrong. Walking increases daily movement, burns calories, and keeps your muscles and joints happy. If your goal is just to increase steps, walking is king.
Do You Get More Steps Walking or Running?
Alright, time for the ultimate step counter debate:
Walking: Gives you more steps per mile because each step is shorter.
Running: Covers more distance in less time but fewer steps per mile because of longer strides.
So, if you’re strictly chasing step increase, slow and steady literally wins the race. But if you care more about fitness benefits? Mix both—walk more and throw in short runs.
Make Your Step Counter Work for You
Step counters are great—until they become a tiny wrist-worn judge, silently shaming you for not moving enough. Here’s how to actually use them without stress:
Set a weird, fun step goal. Instead of the generic 10,000, go for something odd like 7,654 or 12,345. Your brain will be weirdly motivated.
Track weekly, not daily. Some days, life happens. Instead of obsessing daily, aim for a higher weekly average.
Compete (but in a fun way). Challenge a friend, co-worker, or even an imaginary rival. Make it interesting.
Work Hacks: More Steps Without Looking Like a Lunatic
Ah, the classic advice: “Take a walking meeting!” You’ve heard it. Maybe you’ve even tried it. But let’s be honest—unless you’re the CEO, it’s kinda weird to just start pacing the hallways while your coworkers are stuck at their desks, typing away like productivity robots.
So, what do you do if your office frowns upon random wanderers? You get sneaky. Step increase isn’t just about logging miles—it’s about tricking your body into moving more without your brain realizing it. Here’s how to pull it off:
Phone calls = walk time. This is your golden opportunity. Whether it’s a quick check-in with a client or a long-winded conversation with your mom about whether she should get a new blender, get up and move. Nobody needs to know you’re pacing in circles around your desk like a confused detective.
Bathroom breaks = tiny adventures. If your office has multiple restrooms, choose the one furthest away. Bonus points if you take the stairs to get there. Triple points if you pretend you’re on a secret mission and stealth-walk past your manager’s office like a spy.
Water cooler walks. Stay hydrated and get extra steps—win-win. Every time you refill your bottle, take the long way there. Loop around a different department. Say hi to Dave from accounting (even though you don’t really know what he does).
Desk stretches = step opportunities. Every 30 minutes, stand up, walk a lap around your workspace, and stretch like you’re starring in a yoga commercial. It keeps your legs from feeling like stiff pieces of wood and adds to your daily step counter.
The “Oops, I forgot something” strategy. Left your pen at another desk? Need a folder from the supply room? Purposefully forget things so you have to walk back and forth. It’s the laziest way to trick yourself into being active.
Even if you’re stuck at a desk all day, little tweaks add up fast. A few extra steps here, an unnecessary lap there—next thing you know, you’ve hit a solid step increase without even breaking a sweat.
Fun & Slightly Ridiculous Ways to Get More Steps Without Noticing
Walking in a straight line from point A to point B? Boring. Traditional cardio? Meh. Let’s make this interesting. If you want more steps without actively thinking about it, you need to get creative. Try:
Dancing in your kitchen. Cooking dinner? Blast some music and turn your kitchen into a mini dance floor. No one’s watching (or if they are, own it). The more dramatic, the better. Bonus points for moonwalking.
Marching in place while brushing your teeth. At first, it feels dumb. Then, suddenly, you’re getting 200 extra steps a day without changing your routine.
Commercial break laps. Watching TV? Don’t just sit there like a potato. Every ad break = a lap around your living room. You’ll be shocked at how many steps you rack up during one episode of The Bachelor.
Turning grocery shopping into a walking spree. Go in without a list. Wander every aisle. Walk the long way around. By the time you check out, boom—3,000 extra steps.
The secret? Make it feel like play, not exercise. The moment walking turns into something fun, your step counter goes up without you even trying.
The Weekend Trick: Make Walking Feel Like an Adventure
Here’s the thing about weekends: They’re sneaky. If you don’t plan for it, you’ll wake up, scroll on your phone for an hour, and suddenly it’s 3 PM and you’ve barely moved.
So instead of forcing yourself to take a boring walk around the block, make walking feel exciting. Step increase doesn’t have to feel like a chore—it can feel like an adventure. Here’s how:
Explore new places. Find a random park, trail, or neighborhood and just start walking. The novelty makes it fun, and your step count skyrockets without you realizing.
Errands = step fests. Shopping? Park at the far end of the lot. At the mall? Walk an extra lap before going into any store. Mall walking isn’t just for grandmas—it’s a power move.
Pretend you’re a tourist in your own city. Walk through streets you normally ignore. Take the scenic route. Look up. Notice things. Suddenly, your daily step counter feels less like a tracker and more like an adventure log.
When you change the way you look at walking, it stops feeling like work—and that’s when you effortlessly increase your steps.
The Unexpected Bonus of More Steps (It’s Not Just About Fitness)
Yeah, yeah, walking is good for your heart and all that—but here’s the cool part:
Better mood. Walking actually boosts dopamine and serotonin, meaning you’ll feel happier.
More creative ideas. Ever notice your best ideas come while pacing? That’s because walking increases brain activity.
Less stress. Even a short 10-minute walk helps reduce anxiety.
So, if “exercise” sounds exhausting, just aim for a step increase instead. Your brain and body will thank you.
Walking More Without Overthinking It
The best way to get more steps in daily life? Don’t treat it like a chore. Just move more—in small, sneaky, fun ways.
Use a step counter (but don’t let it guilt-trip you).
Park far, take the stairs, and walk while waiting.
If you’re debating do you get more steps walking or running, remember—walking wins on numbers alone.
Dance, grocery-wander, and take weekend adventure walks.
At the end of the day, step increase isn’t about forcing workouts. It’s about finding ways to move that fit into your life. Do that, and you’ll hit those steps without even thinking about it.