Buying and using your own pedometer

Using a pedometer is an excellent way to keep track of how much walking you currently do, and to set goals for the future to keep you motivated.

Pedometers are small and unobtrusive, and count your every step. We've put together some guidance to help you with buying and using a pedometer.

On this page:

• Before you buy
• Price
• Other features to consider
• Wearing a pedometer
• Making the most of your pedometer

Before you buy

The key words are accuracy, reliability, durability, functionality.

All pedometers count steps, but some do it better than others. The technology used and the quality of the parts can greatly affect the accuracy as well as reliability. The general quality of the pedometer also influences its durability in daily use.

Many pedometers offer extra features such as 'distance walked', 'calories burned', 'minutes of continuous activity accumulated' - even radio, alarm and MP3 facilities!

This increased functionality might be appealing, but could make the pedometer complicated to use. It might also be a sign that the device is trying to hide its shortcomings in the most important area - counting steps!

Price

A good quality 'entry level' pedometer doesn't need to cost a fortune. Our advice is that it's worth investing as much as you can afford in a 'steps only' model, ideally from a good supplier.

A retail price of £10-15 should certainly get you the product you need and it may be possible to find it considerably cheaper by shopping around.

• Google shopping search for pedometers (no product is endorsed in particular by WfH)

Other features to consider

• Clear, good-sized screen
• Strong fastening clip
• A simple procedure for changing the battery
• Mechanism to stop it resetting if you take breaks during your walk
• 'Non-step' filter (so it doesn't accidentally count steps when you're not walking)

Wearing a pedometer

It's important to read the manufacturer's recommendations for wearing your particular pedometer. Generally speaking, it will be worn on your waistband (although this isn't always the case). Make sure it's firmly fastened and in an upright position.

It's a good idea to use something extra (like a security lanyard) to secure your pedometer, to make sure you don't lose it or damage it.

Making the most of your pedometer

A pedmoter on it's own help you get motivated to start walking. But it won't necessarily provide you with the incentive to keep going and increasing the amount of exercise you do.

The best way of doing that is to find out how many steps you are doing first. From there, you can set yourself a target to increase the number of steps. Make sure each new goal is achievable and keep reviewing the targets you set yourself. This is the approach that Walking for Health recommended when we piloted our National Step-O-Meter programme.

Walking is always more enjoyable with friends. Find out how to join a Walking for Health group near you!

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