Is There A Difference Between A Pedometer And A Speedometer?

Pedometers and speedometers are instruments that measure travel, but in two different ways. Both devices may help you work out more efficiently.

Description

Usually about the size of a pager, a pedometer is a small instrument that measures distance by the number of steps you walk. The device displays the number of steps, and may also track mileage and calories burned.

A speedometer is an instrument that measures speed in miles per hour. Speedometers are required in motor vehicles, and can be present in bicycles and other sports equipment. In a motor vehicle, the speedometer is usually connected to the vehicle's transmission and may work in conjunction with the odometer. The odometer records the distance the vehicle travels.

Pedometer Benefits

A pedometer can help you classify your activity level, and motivate you to increase your activity level. If you walk less than 5,000 steps a day, your activity level is "sedentary," cites the American College of Sports Medicine. "Low activity" level is 5,000 to 7,499 steps a day. The "somewhat active" level is between 7,500 and 9,999 steps a day. If you want to be at the "active" level, you must walk between 10,000 to 12,500 steps. Walking more than 12,500 steps qualifies you for the "highly active" level.

Speedometer Benefits

With a speedometer, you can always know how fast or how slow you are driving. Law enforcement occasionally set up roadside speedometers to track the speed of passing cars, in an effort to reduce speeding. When you drive by a roadside speedometer, an electronic sign displays your speed in miles per hour. A 1993 study by Ergonomic Systems Design, Inc. found that roadside speedometers reduce traffic speeds by about 10 percent when speedometers are in effect. A speedometer on your bicycle can tell you have fast you cycle. Sports retailers also sell speedometer equipment for balls, allowing you to measure the speed of your throw, hit or kick.

Testing

While your pedometer might not count the exact number of steps you take within a day, you want it to be accurate within about two steps. To test your pedometer, position the device where you plan to regular wear it, such as on your waistband or knee, and take 20 steps. If the pedometer reads within 18 to 22 steps, it is reasonably accurate, says the American College of Sports Medicine. If you get an incorrect reading, place the pedometer in a different position and repeat the test. Buy a new pedometer if you continue to get an inaccurate step-count.

If you're worried your car's speedometer may be a bit slow or fast, drive one mile of highway at the legal speed. Record the number of seconds it took you to drive the one mile. Divide 3,600, which is the number of seconds in an hour, by your recorded number of seconds. Compare that number to your speedometer.

Warnings

Some pedometers are very sensitive to movement and may count steps when you are not actually walking. You may have to turn your pedometer off at times to keep the instrument from counting movements that are not steps. Some pedometers have trouble tracking slower steps and may give incorrect readings depending on how you attach the device to your waistband.

Like any car part, your speedometer can give an inaccurate reading or fail to work altogether. Because a faulty speedometer can be dangerous, you should periodically check the accuracy of your speedometer and fix the device, when appropriate.