Pedometers are instruments that keep track of the number of steps you take during the course of a day. According to the National Institutes of Health, active individuals take more than 10,000 steps per day, and many people use pedometers to track their progress toward this goal. Choosing the right pedometer can be the first step toward a more active lifestyle.
Types
There are a variety of pedometers on the market and they differ in their internal construction. Accelerometer-based pedometers sense the acceleration of your body, so they can measure step intensity as well as recording the number of steps you take. Coiled spring and hairspring pedometers use spring-based mechanisms to sense changes in tilt.
Accuracy and Cost
According to the Harvard Medical School, effective pedometers sell for under $25, as of March 2011. Some models are more expensive but are considered more accurate. In general, pedometers that contain internal accelerometers are more expensive and more accurate than pedometers with springs. Similarly, coiled-spring pedometers are more expensive and more accurate than hairspring models. If extreme accuracy is important, choose an accelerometer-based pedometer. If you just want a general estimate of your activity level, a coiled-spring or hairspring model probably suits your needs and budget.
Longevity
Longevity is also an issue in selecting the right pedometer. You want to pick an instrument that remains accurate for as long as possible. Based on tests performed by Montana State University, accelerometer-based pedometers remained accurate longer than hairspring pedometers. Some coiled-spring pedometers functioned almost as well as accelerometer pedometers, but others lasted less than one month. When shopping for a pedometer, look for at least a one-year warranty.
Caloric Output
Pedometers with accelerometers can calculate the number of calories you expend during the day by measuring the intensity of the steps you take. This feature is not available, or at least not with accuracy, in spring-based pedometers. This is due to the fact that accelerometers can sense a spectrum of movements, but springs count steps in an all-or-nothing manner. Jogging is the same intensity as walking to a spring-based pedometer, but accelerometers can tell that you are changing direction at a faster rate.
References
- University of Florida; A Brief Survey of Physical Activity Monitoring Devices; C. Chen, et al.; May 2008
- Montana State University; The Art and Science of Choosing the Best Pedometer; Dan Heil; 2007
- Harvard Medical School; Pedometers Motivate People to Exercise; September 2009
- "Sports Medicine"; How Many Steps a Day are Enough?; C. Tudor-Locke, D.R. Bassett Jr.; 2004
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