Photo: L. Marie / Flickr

Pedometers allow you to record how far you move during a workout or even throughout a certain day. These simple devices are a great workout aid, and they get even better when they come with added features like heart rate pedometers do, further optimising your workout. Find out just how pedometers work, and how to choose the right one for you.

Back to basics

A pedometer contains a sensor that counts its user’s steps based on the vibrations of their feet hitting the ground. Pedometers can’t be entirely accurate, but those with sensitive motion detecting mechanisms come relatively close.

Got what you need?

Photo: size8jeans / Flickr

Consider what it is you’ll be using your pedometer for. A pedometer with extra features is always appealing, but look for the features that suit your particular purposes best: heart rate pedometers, for example, are best suited to athletes who want to determine if training is happening at the right pace. Some pedometers are better suited specifically to walking or to running, so try to find out about this before making your purchase.

Take the right step

The cliché of ‘you get what you pay for’ is true when it comes to pedometers – so think about what it is that you want to get. Don’t pay for features that you won’t use, and consider how important accuracy is to you. If you just want a rough idea of how many steps you take per day, a simple, reasonably priced pedometer or even the kind that comes built in to your mobile or MP3 player does the job. If your pedometer is an important part of your fitness training, though, think about going for better quality even if it comes at a higher price.

Tags: keeping fit