Wrist Pedometers

Wrist pedometers are easiest to monitor

One common complaint about traditional pedometers is that they are hard to monitor. Unless the pedometer has a reverse display or flips open, you'll have to remove the pedometer from your waist to check your step count. Several pedometers, however, come with wristwatch monitors that allow you to easily keep track of your step totals. These pedometers are more expensive, but serious walkers and frequent exercisers may appreciate the convenience and additional functionality.

The Timex Ironman Fitness Tracker (*Est. $70) receives good reviews in this category. It includes a fitness pod that clips to your waist, which counts your steps and wirelessly transmits the data to the matching watch. This Timex is water-resistant (up to 100 meters) and tracks steps, calories and distance. It displays time, and it can be used as a regular watch, and it has interval timers, alarms and a backlight for walking at night.

Roy M. Wallack, a long-time gear reviewer and cyclist, reviews the Timex Ironman for the Los Angeles Times. He likes having the information on a wristwatch, which he finds easier to use than pedometers that clip to your waist. In a detailed review at outdoors/fitness site SNEWS, editors say the pedometer is accurate, although they say it can be overly sensitive when recording everyday movements. They say it also correctly computes distance traveled, if it's carefully calibrated. A favorite feature is the tracking of activity time, but it also tracks steps per minute and steps remaining toward a preset goal.

About a dozen owners give the Timex Ironman Fitness Tracker mixed reviews on Amazon.com. Some owners are happy with the pedometer, even for jogging, while others have problems getting accurate step counts. Some owner-written reviews seem to indicate that this pedometer is designed for women, but according to Timex, the Fitness Tracker comes in one unisex size. The three color choices are black,  light blue, and pink. It is covered by a one-year warranty.

The Sportline 955 Pedometer Watch (*Est. $40) is another option for men or women, but it receives mixed ratings from reviewers. It tracks steps, speed, distance, time and calories, and it comes with a sensitivity adjustment if you find it over- or undercounting steps. It also boasts a stopwatch, timer and backlight in a sporty design that is water-resistant up to 50 meters. Unlike the Timex Ironman Fitness Tracker, the Sportline Solo 955 does not require a separate fitness pod that clips at the waist. About nine owners have reviewed the men's watch at Amazon.com, and all are unhappy with it. One owner says the pedometer works well, but the crystal is soft and easily scratched. Others say the instruction manual is difficult to understand, making the functions hard to set. Another four reviewers rate the women's watch at Amazon.com. One owner says the pedometer is "fairly accurate," but the others reviewers can't figure it out.