Pedometers?

[soon2bslim]

Hi, since i see people posting the mileage they walk/run i assume that some of you use a pedometer and i just received one and have some questions:
- How accurate are they?
- The insructions say to set it up by taking a series of steps because different strides and foot sizes make a difference, and it needs 2 be changed if you are walking or running. I try 2 start out walking at an even pace then briskly then rumming, then back to walking, so my pace varies, how will this affect he pedometer info?
-what else will skew the pedometer data? Do i have 2 wear the same shoes all the time or is it only true to the shoes that i did the original set up in?
-can i keep it my pocket or does that mess up the data?

Thanks in advance, any pedometer relevant comments are appreciated!

[atkinsgal08]

Re: Pedometers?

>>can i keep it my pocket or does that mess up the data?>>

Normally you have to wear it on your waist, since it's your hip movements that "click" it.

There are some that do work in a pocket though ... the instructions that came with it should tell you.

You do want to know your stride ... if it's not set right, you can over/under walk according to the pedometer. Unless you're just counting steps.

To calibrate mine, I set my stride using the method in the directions, and then compare that to a known mile distance.

[mission to lose]

Re: Pedometers?

Hi-
I have had 2, one was free from Prevention magazine, another I bought. I was never happy with either, I never felt they counted correctly when I walked, even with numerous corrections to the pedometers to try to get it in sync properly. Maybe I needed a more expensive one. I don't know.

But no, I believe you can NOT put it in your pocket, unless there are some that you can that I do not know of...I think it has to "Bounce" to set off the clicker from the action of your legs/hip moving so it need to be on hour waist band in a certain position.

Also I found it was not useful at all when I would use the WATP for exercise since a lot of it is walking/marching/kicking etc in place so it would not register the movement. Thats the point of WATP, various walking movements in a small space indoors. So most of that didn't register even if I did 2 mile walk and broke into a sweat!

I hope You get better answers from runners or people with "better" pedometers than I had, Or people with better experiences. Have a good day!

[atkinsgal08]

Re: Pedometers?

I have an Omron ... it's accurate for distance.

[paminmd]

Re: Pedometers?

Santa brought me another one this year. I had two others that I never felt worked accurately. I am hoping this one is accurate for when I walk in our mall. (Our mall unlocks the doors at 7am for cleaners and store employees, I guess.... whatever the reason I am grateful it is open on snowy days.) I do usually walk outside and have a number of different routes I take. I track the mileage with my car & know the distance for each of the routes. Some days I will take a familiar route, but then feel like pushing a little further. When I do that, I'll just track the extra distance with my car again. So I'll know if I feel like walking 2, 2 mile walks a day , or a 4 mile walk or a 5 mile walk - I know which way to go.
When I started walking earlier this year, I couldn't walk 5 houses away without being winded. It is amazing how good simple walking makes you feel. Good luck with the pedometer.
Pam

[EverLosing]

Re: Pedometers?

I gave up on pedometers and went with a step counter instead. I find that much less frustrating!! The common belief is 10,000 steps per day should be the goal for everyone. I try to aim for 12,000 steps per day. The distance you walk will all depend on your stride but I'm pretty tall and 12,000 steps is a minimum of 6 miles for me.