Cardiovascular fitness is not just about running marathons or spending hours at the gym. One simple way to gauge your heart health is by measuring how many steps you can take in 10 minutes at a brisk pace.   The Benchmark Number Walking at a pace of about 120 to 140 steps each minute can signal good physical conditioning for someone your age. Reaching 1,200 to 1,400 steps in just ten minutes suggests strong heart function, along with efficient breathing and sturdy leg strength.   What This Pace Means A step pace of 120 beats per minute counts as brisk.