Pedometer Review

Pedometers need to be accurate

When it comes to pedometers, accuracy matters most. If a pedometer isn't giving you an accurate count of your steps, it's impossible to get a realistic idea of your total distance and calories burned. In lab testing and clinical studies, researchers find that accuracy among pedometers varies, with some models underestimating or overestimating steps by up to 50 percent. Lab testing also shows that most pedometers do a far better job counting steps when you're walking fast -- many were less accurate at a slower pace.

Traditional pedometers use a spring-suspended lever arm to manually count your steps as you walk. The up-and-down motion of your gait triggers the lever arm to "click" against a contact, which registers the step. Research shows that these pedometers can be very accurate, but they must be positioned vertically on the waist in order to function properly. If you are overweight, the pedometer may tilt on your waist, which will reduce its accuracy. In addition, if you walk very slowly there might not be enough vertical movement to register a step.

As a result, many manufacturers are moving to accelerometer-based counting engines in their pedometers. An accelerometer uses a strain gauge to detect movement, and it can differentiate between everyday steps (like walking to the fridge) and exercise steps (like power walking). Experts say these pedometers, which are also known as piezoelectric pedometers, are the most accurate on the market. Unlike traditional pedometers, there are no moving parts in accelerometer-based pedometers, so they can tolerate some tilt and have more placement options. As a result, experts recommend these pedometers for overweight individuals with waist sizes larger than 40 inches. Accelerometer pedometers are also a good choice for slow walkers, since research has shown that they are far more accurate than traditional pedometers for walking speeds under 2.5 mph. However, accelerometer pedometers use more battery power than their spring-levered counterparts, so you will need to replace the battery more often -- probably about every six months if you walk 10,000 steps a day.

We found the best pedometer reviews and testing in Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, the journal of the American College of Sports Medicine. The journal includes several studies that test the accuracy of popular pedometers. The most comprehensive pedometer review comes from University of Tennessee researchers, who contribute several studies to the journal. Even though these studies are several years old, many of the pedometers tested are still on the market.

Among mainstream publications, ConsumerReports.org and Good Housekeeping also test pedometers. Consumer Reports' test is better detailed and more methodical, while the pedometer review at Good Housekeeping doesn't disclose the pedometers that didn't score well. Additionally, we found interesting but less detailed reviews at CNNMoney.com, About.com, Prevention, Health magazine and the Los Angeles Times. For owner-written reviews, Amazon.com lists a good number of pedometers -- some with several hundred individual reviews.

As pedometers have become more popular, manufacturers have incorporated pedometer functionality into a wide variety of consumer products, including cell phones and MP3 players. Although walkers may like the convenience of having one less gadget to carry around, most reviewers say these pedometers aren't very accurate. Based on reviews, it seems these products are not a good choice for if you are specifically looking for a pedometer.

The popular Apple iPhone 3G (*Est. $200) is one example. The Steps pedometer application (*Est. $2) utilizes the iPhone's built-in accelerometer to track steps, speed, distance and calories. However, reviewers say the iPhone Steps pedometer just doesn't measure up. More than 160 customers, who can rate each app in the iTunes store, give it an average of two stars, saying it is not accurate and will drain your phone battery if you use it all day. Professional reviewers are likewise not impressed. Matthew Shulman, in a review for U.S. News and World Report, calls it a "lousy" application that does not accurately count steps. In his testing, the Steps pedometer only picks up one out of every two or three steps. Macenstein.com, an Apple review site, says the biggest drawback of the Steps pedometer is "that it doesn't work." Edovia Inc., the developer of the iPhone Steps app, releases new versions all the time, so it's possible this pedometer could become more accurate in the future. As of now, however, reviews indicate that you will be better served with a traditional pedometer.

The RCA Jet Stream S2501 MP3 Player (*Est. $45 for 1 GB, $80 for 4 GB) is another example. This portable MP3 player is water- and sweat-resistant, and it tracks steps, calories and body mass index (BMI) ratios with a built-in pedometer. The MP3 player receives mixed reviews on Amazon.com, with most reviewers commenting on the wireless headphones rather than the pedometer. A few reviewers provide feedback on the pedometer, with one finding it quite accurate at counting steps. PCMag.com gives the RCA Jet Stream two stars, saying the pedometer is "fairly useful," but the buttons are hard to press and the interface is frustrating to navigate. The RCA Jet Stream comes with a wristband and armband, but this pedometer is significantly heavier than a traditional pedometer.

There is a general consensus that pedometers in cell phones or MP3 players are an afterthought. Until manufacturers can place more accurate step counters into these products, reviews indicate that you'll be better off with a regular pedometer.