How does a pedometer work?

[Chicklady]

I hopped on ebay looking for a pedometer. silly me thought you'd attach something to your shoe, but nooooo, they all say they come with a belt clip! How the heck can you tell how many miles you go with a gizmo attached to your waist?????

[Hayden]

Re: How does a pedometer work?

Just like the long pendulum in a grand father clock.
The pedometer has a small pendulum inside the device.

If you shake a pedometer you can hear the little ball inside, rattle.

When you buy a pedometer, you have to calibrate it. This is a simple task, you just walk ten natural paces and then measure how far you walked, enter this number in and you're done.
(Obviously you can't share a pedometer, as each one is set to your walking pace)

Some of the new pedometers has a digital sensor in.
Just like the Apple iPhone knows if you are holding the thing sideways or upside-down.
These new pedometer work with the same idea and technology.

At it's most simple idea. When took the pedometer out of the box, and switched it on for the first time, you measure how far 10 steps or 5 steps, or whatever the model you've bought tells you to do.
The pedometer now knows every time you've walked 10 steps, you've walked 30 feet.

The pedometer just counts your steps, because when it's worn close to the body it counts steps using the principles of equilibrium and inertia.

That is a how a pedometer works.

[Chicklady]

Re: How does a pedometer work?

Wow! Well, thank you for that answer. How absolutely strange! What happens if you change your pace: for example, you steps become shorter as you climb a hill?

[Hayden]

Re: How does a pedometer work?

Then if you take small or shorter steps, and you may have guessed and worked this out already, the pedometer will give an inaccurate reading of how far you've walked.

The pedometer is a dumb device, it's just a clicker. One click for each step.

When you look at the results of how far you've walked, it will only be it's best guess. Accurate enough for most people though.

That is why, when you do those first 10 steps when you take the pedometer out of the box, you must try to walk as naturally as possible.
It's a little hard, because you're (well I was) thinking "must walk naturally, must walk naturally", and then so, I didn't. D'oh.

If, on the other hand you want a pedometer that is an active device. Something that will accurately tell you how far you've walked, regardless of steps, hills, corners, or running. Then a device called a GPS, would be better for you. That, however is a whole different science.

Wow! Well, thank you for that answer. How absolutely strange! What happens if you change your pace: for example, you steps become shorter as you climb a hill?

[jimmie 48]

Re: How does a pedometer work?

chicklady, i have my pedometer set for longer steps as that's what i do when i walk faster. you can change those settings, called stride on mine, to measure more accurately. i can also set age and sex on it.

i don't hold my numbers as tried and true and exact, but an acceptable number for challenges. i don't have anything fancy like hayden is talking about. that, i am guessing would be much more accurate but much more expensive, too. i'm cheap. lolol

[dreamof145]

Re: How does a pedometer work?

I have two pedometers. (One I bought and the other someone gave to me). I was curious too about clipping it to my sock when I walked. So, I did one on my sock and one on my belt. They both registered the same amount of steps at the end of my walk. I feel they are a walker's best friend. The surgeon general says to do at least 10,000 steps a day so I always try to outdo that number when I take mine off at the end of the day.

[sallyseachange]

Re: How does a pedometer work?

I have two pedometers. (One I bought and the other someone gave to me). I was curious too about clipping it to my sock when I walked. So, I did one on my sock and one on my belt. They both registered the same amount of steps at the end of my walk. I feel they are a walker's best friend. The surgeon general says to do at least 10,000 steps a day so I always try to outdo that number when I take mine off at the end of the day.

I agree about the pedometer being the walker's best friend. Great incentive to walk rather than ride!

[Chicklady]

Re: How does a pedometer work?

I have two pedometers. (One I bought and the other someone gave to me). I was curious too about clipping it to my sock when I walked. So, I did one on my sock and one on my belt. They both registered the same amount of steps at the end of my walk. I feel they are a walker's best friend. The surgeon general says to do at least 10,000 steps a day so I always try to outdo that number when I take mine off at the end of the day.

10,000 steps a day. hmmm. I think I do that running to the bathroom