Pedometers
Review by Joann Bally CSCS
|
Old-style pedometers measured how far you walk. The problem was, you had to enter your stride length, which was not easy to measure. (Pedometers can be used by runners, but are usually considered to be devices for walkers.) The most simple pedometers now available are really step counters, that is, they count the number of steps you take. Some have advanced features, including such functions as duration of walk, calories expended, mileage conversion, and memory functions.
For the basic step counter, all you have to do is clip it on your belt, pants, or skirt in a line with the middle of your thigh, press a button to clear it, and let it count. Left, right is two steps. It senses the footfall. You can use it to measure how far you go on your morning or weekend walk, or you can leave it on as a measure of how active you are in a given day. You need it if you’re going to shoot for the public health recommendation of 10,000 steps a day.
The average is 2000 steps to a mile, but you can check yourself by walking 4 laps of a quarter-mile track or other measured course, or you can just go by steps and ignore the distance. The pedometer is an inexpensive device that everybody should have at least one of.
|
HEALTHandFITNESS.com :
