Pedometers & Step Counters

There are many different types of pedometers that vary in their accuracy and methodology. The common aspect all pedometers share, however, is that they are used to count steps.

There is much debate as to who invented the pedometer because many different types of devices can be used to count steps, so the question can often turn to a matter of semantics. Though there are many different types of pedometers, such as the Omron pedometer, the Sportline pedometer, and the Yamax pedometer, most of them tend to follow the same basic technique for determining the number of steps taken.

The best pedometer is the one that will be the most accurate, and the most accurate traditional models tend to be clipped to the belt or waist area. Global satellites have given rise to a new breed of pedometers in the vein of the GPS pedometer. Using global positioning satellites, these pedometers bounce signals off of satellites that are returned to the unit. The distance traveled is triangulated, and the distance is recorded in the pedometer unit.

Even more recent is the MP3 pedometer. IPOD has what is perhaps the best-known unit of this line in the Nike+IPOD combination. While these types of units produce a precise pedometer, the price is significantly higher than older models.

Pedometers can be a significant way to boost motivation to exercise and to show measurable success. Many fast-food corporations have started giving away free pedometers in an attempt to present an image of healthiness. A free pedometer can often be acquired at heath expositions and doctor’s offices. Different units are used in this line, including the pedometer watch. The pedometer watch is a simple model that is cheap enough to be mass produced and distributed.

A general pedometer review will reveal a massive cross section of different brands and types of pedometers. While each attempts to do the same thing, measure steps, not all pedometers use the same technological approach. Everything from complex algorithms to simple mechanical weights is used to determine the number of steps taken. The future of pedometers seems to lie on the side of more complex algorithms that will be able to more accurately determine the readings from internal sensors in consumer devices. While the price may rise with the accuracy, generally accurate pedometers can be acquired for less than a dollar. However, the more accurate ones can run into the hundreds.