While walking might seem like an unremarkable, everyday occurrence, or even a hassle, it is in fact a great form of exercise, and can help keep your heart and body fit and healthy. If walking is a big factor in your fitness and/or weight loss program, it may be a great motivator to invest in a pedometer so you can see just how far you go. Below are three great pedometers to help you count your steps and use your legs and feet for what they were made for: walking.
A pedometer is a small electronic device that will count your number of steps. Pedometers are generally small enough to put on your pocket or attach to your clothes. Many pedometers provide other data like time, distance, and more useful and complex data, but the pedometer’s basic function is to count the number of steps you take in a given period.
It is not the pedometer that improves your fitness but the walking. Walking can help manage chronic illnesses, decrease blood pressure, improve bone density, and keep your cardiovascular system healthy. The pedometer tracks how much you walk and provides the motivation to make and reach fitness goals. Tracking your physical activity is the key to promoting overall fitness.
One of the bestselling pedometers, the Omron HJ-112 is well rated and widely considered to be one of the best pedometers available. The Omron HJ-112 scores excellent accuracy ratings that remain consistent at different walking speeds. The Omron HJ-112 also tracks time, aerobic steps, and distance; and calculates calories and grams of fat burned. The size can be on the slightly bulky side and this pedometer may have a short battery life. However, it is widely well reviewed and, at about $25, totally affordable.
Another high-quality, reliable, and accurate pedometer is the Yamax SW-801. A multi-function pedometer, the Yamax is a step counter that counts steps up to 100,000 steps and measures distance covered up to 999 miles. It also calculates calories burned and average speed, and delivers all these reports to you on a large display that is easy to read. A lightweight pedometer with a long battery life, the SW-801 is an effective and comprehensive tool for serious runners or walkers. Though some may find the shell cover difficult to open, you can find this affordable and reliable pedometer for around only $35.
If you prefer a pedometer with a wrist monitor, then the Timex Ironman Fitness Tracker is a great option. The wrist monitor provides easy viewing, with a backlit display for your nighttime walks, and the monitor stays accurate at a jogging speed. A pedometer that clips to your waist transmits the data to the wrist monitor so there’s no bending or neck craning required to see your data. At $66, the Timed is a bit more expensive than other pedometers, and its sensitivity to movements can sometimes inflate step counts. However, the ease of use, overall accuracy, and choice of three colors ensure that you can see your data in a comprehensive and stylish form.