A pedometer records the number of steps that you take when covering a particular distance. Many pedometers offer advanced features, such as measuring distance based on your average stride length. To use that feature, you need to determine your stride length by walking a measured course. Once you enter your average stride length into your pedometer, you can use the pedometer to accurately measure your walking distance.
Step 1
Select a measured course. This may be any walking course for which you know the distance. A standard 400-meter running track is ideal.
Step 2
Choose a lane of the running track. The distance of a standard track is 400 meters only in the first, or innermost, lane. The distances of the other lanes are 407 meters for the second lane, 413 meters for the third, 420 meters for the fourth, 427 meters for the fifth, 434 meters for the sixth, 440 meters for the seventh and 447 meters for the eighth.
Step 3
Count the steps that you take to walk around the track once. You can use the pedometer for this purpose or you can count the steps. Remain within the lane that you chose in step 2 and walk at your normal pace.
Step 4
Calculate your average stride length in inches. This will require you to use the equation L = D x 39.37 / N, where L is your average stride length in inches, D is the distance you walked in meters and N is the number of steps you took. Assume that you walked in lane 3 and took 425 steps. Your average stride length is 413 x 39.37 / 425 = 38.3 inches.
Step 5
Enter your average stride length into your pedometer. This calibrates the pedometer for your use. You may now use the pedometer to measure distance when you walk. The pedometer may not accurately measure distance if someone else uses it.
Things You'll Need
- Pedometer
- Calculator
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