Pedometer Information

Experts say a pedometer can be a useful gadget to keep you motivated to be more physically active. A study in a 2007 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association concludes that wearing a pedometer motivates users to greatly increase their physical activity, with the effect of lowering blood pressure as well. As a result, most health organizations now recommend walking at least 10,000 steps a day -- the equivalent of 5 miles for most people. As this recommendation has become widely publicized, pedometers have become a very popular way to keep track of daily steps.

Unitl recently, no research was available about what type of steps provide the best health benefit. Most people assume 10,000 steps are 10,000 steps, but does walking around the house provide the same benefit as power walking down the street? A recent study published in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine clarifies this issue, and recommends that most people walk 100 steps per minute to increase their heart rate and get the most cardiovascular benefit. Most pedometers do not measure intensity, but a few models (like the top-rated Omron HJ-112 pedometer) track everyday steps and aerobic steps separately.

Serious exercisers may want to consider a heart-rate monitor instead of a pedometer. Heart-rate monitors were once the domain of athletes, but now many people use these devices to gauge their aerobic workouts. Please see our report on heart-rate monitors.

Good information can be found at Pedometers.com, a site for those who want to learn how a pedometer works. The various types of sensor mechanisms are described, in addition to how GPS functionality works in a pedometer and the role of the microchip. The history of pedometers is also discussed.

There are some good articles on pedometers at About.com. Wendy Bumgardner, the walking guide, offers useful information in her article "Before You Buy a Pedometer." These articles discuss such things as how a pedometer works and the ways to get the best results. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)

The Mayo Clinic provides an overview of how to choose a pedometer and how to set walking goals.

The American College of Sports Medicine also writes a helpful PDF booklet on pedometers and how to use them in your walking program.

Manufacturers' websites:

Accusplit

New-Lifestyles

Omron

Oregon Scientific

Sportline

Suzuken/Kenz

WalkStyles

Yamax