Some pedometers provide distance information in addition to recording total steps. You need to measure your stride length and enter it into your pedometer for accurate distance feedback. If your pedometer doesn't provide distance information, you can use average steps per mile or your stride length to make the calculation yourself.
Average Steps Per Mile
The number of steps it takes to walk one mile varies from person to person. Each individual has her own stride length -- the length of her step. The longer your stride length, the fewer steps it takes you to walk a mile. The American College of Sports Medicine says it takes the average person 2,000 steps to walk one mile.
Stride Length
To measure your stride length, you need a tape measure and a pencil. Make a mark on the ground and stand with your toes at this mark. Walk 10 steps. Make a mark at the toe line of your front foot. Measure the distance, in inches, between the two marks. Divide this number by 10. This is your stride length. For example, if you walked 260 inches. Divide 260 by 10. Your stride length is 26 inches.
Calculations
If your pedometer provides distance information, enter your stride length into the pedometer. Walk one mile and note how many steps the pedometer recorded. If it doesn't provide distance information, you can calculate how many steps it takes to walk a mile using your stride length. One mile equals 63,360 inches. If your stride length is 26 inches, divide 63,360 by 26, which is 2,437. You have to walk 2,437 steps to cover one mile.
Alternatives
Another method for calculating your stride length is to walk a known distance. A running track works well, but make sure you know the distance of the track. Most outdoor tracks are 400 m, or 1,312 feet, and most indoor tracks are 200 m, or 656 feet. Walk the inner lane of the track one time and record your total number of steps. Divide the length of the track, in feet, by the number of steps you took. If it took you 560 steps to walk a 400-meter track, divide 1,312 by 560. Your stride length is 2.3 feet or 28 inches.
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