How to hit your daily step goal without going outside — 5 easy ways to get 10,000 steps

1. Turn your stairs into a step-counting machine

If you have stairs in your house, you've got a built-in step generator that most people completely ignore. Going up and down stairs burns more calories than walking on flat ground and racks up steps surprisingly quickly.

Try taking multiple trips instead of carrying everything at once. For example, make separate trips for laundry, grab one item from upstairs instead of five, or just walk up and down a few extra times when you're already heading that direction.

You can also use stairs as a dedicated walking break by doing 5-10 trips up and down during work breaks or while waiting for dinner to cook. Each round trip typically counts as 20-30 steps, so even a few extra stair climbs throughout the day can add several hundred steps to your total.

2. Try walking workouts in your living room

Walking workouts have exploded in popularity, and for good reason. You can go from your desk to getting steps in less than a minute. YouTube is packed with free walking workout videos that require nothing more than a small space in your living room.

Personally, I love Grow with Jo's content. Her workouts are fun, seem to fly by, and she has specific walking routines designed for hitting different step goals. I sometimes do her 5,000-step workout in the mornings, so I only have to think about getting another 5,000 steps for the rest of the day.

These aren't just basic marching in place; they include side steps, knee lifts, and arm movements that keep things interesting while racking up serious step counts. A 20-minute walking workout can easily net you 2,000-3,000 steps, and many are designed specifically for small spaces.

If you have a treadmill or walking pad, even better, but these workouts are designed to be effective with just your body weight and enthusiasm.

3. Invest in a walking pad

A walking pad is essentially a compact, foldable treadmill that can slide under your bed or couch when not in use. These affordable devices have become incredibly popular because they let you walk while working, watching TV, or doing almost anything else.

Unlike traditional treadmills, walking pads are designed for slower speeds (typically 1-4 mph) and quiet operation, making them perfect for apartments or shared spaces. It's an excellent way to rack up thousands of steps during a work call, while binge-watching a series, or even while reading.

Many people find they can walk 2-3 mph comfortably while typing or using their phone, turning previously sedentary time into step-counting opportunities.

4. Take walking breaks during work calls

If you work from home, phone calls and video meetings are perfect times to sneak in extra steps. During audio-only calls, walk around your house, pace in your office, or even walk up and down stairs while listening.

For video calls where you don't need to be on camera, you can often get away with walking around your room as long as you stay near your computer.

Even fidgeting and shifting your weight during seated calls adds some movement. Schedule walking meetings with yourself. If you need to brainstorm or think through a problem, do it while walking around your house instead of sitting at your desk.

5. Pace around during TV time and phone calls

Instead of collapsing on the couch every time you watch TV, try standing and walking around during commercial breaks, or pace slowly during shows that don't require intense visual attention.

Phone calls with friends or family are perfect pacing opportunities, as most people actually think better while moving anyway. You can walk around your living room, kitchen, or even go up and down hallways while chatting.

During long streaming sessions, set a timer to remind yourself to get up and walk around every 30 minutes. Even pacing slowly while watching adds up to significant steps over the course of an evening.