Simple Keep Fit Exercises

Improving your health and fitness

Using a Pedometer to Keep Fit

A pedometer is a small digital device that counts the number of steps you take when walking. They can serve as great motivators in any health and fitness program. Individuals who use pedometers regularly increase their activity levels by as much as 25%, according to some research.

There are two types of pedometers, spring-levered, and piezoelectric ones.

Spring-Levered Pedometers

These pedometers utilise a spring-suspended horizontal arm that moves up and down in response to your walking or running movement. Spring-levered pedometers must be positioned in a horizontal plane in order for them to work. They will not function otherwise.

Piezoelectric Pedometers

As the name suggests, these pedometers utilise a piezoelectric material to count steps. A piezoelectric material produces an electric charge when distorted. This type of pedometer contains a piezoelectric material attached to a weight which produces a voltage when subjected to any movement.

Accuracy of Pedometers

Pedometers are most accurate when used at speeds exceeding 3mph. Piezoelectric pedometers are more sensitive than spring-levered ones and are hence more accurate. When using spring-levered pedometers the orientation of the device is critical.

Some of the very inexpensive pedometers can be very inaccurate. As with most things, you tend to get what you pay for. If you are unsure about what type of pedometer to get, this site, Pedometer Reviews, may help you.

How to Use a Pedometer

It is a good idea to wear the pedometer all day long. Try using it initially to see how many steps you take during your normal daily activities. This will give you a baseline of activity. From here you can set reasonable goals on how to increase the number of steps that you are taking every day.

Many pieces of research have shown that one of the best ways to keep your weight under control is by taking around 10,000 steps per day. 10,000 steps per day is roughly equivalent to a distance of 5 miles, although this depends on your stride length. This may seem like a formidable distance, but if you start with a small increase every day by, say, an extra 100 steps, you will reach your final goal faster than you believe. Any increase in the number of steps you take per day will increase your health and fitness levels.