Choosing the Best Pedometer

“I’m not seeing any results.” It’s one of the most common reasons people quit an exercise program. While you may not notice immediate results, with each step you take, you are making yourself healthier from the inside out.

“We hear it all the time, and we explain that results won’t be overnight,” explains Michael A. Schwartz, MD, of Plancher Orthopedics & Sports Medicine in New York. “It does take time before you see some of the benefits.”

Thankfully, this excuse is one of the easiest to get over, at least for walkers. Doctors and exercise physiologists say wearing a pedometer can help people stay on track. The reason: Pedometers count steps. They are typically worn on a belt or waistband and record steps every time your hip moves up and down. You can use a pedometer as a visual record of your walking program’s goals, and have a historical view of where you started and how far you go – literally – every day.

Choosing a pedometer is fairly easy, according to Patrick Schneider, an exercise physiologist and assistant professor at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Schneider gives some basic guidelines on selecting a smart-buy pedometer:

Ease of use. All pedometers count steps. If that's all you need to know, a basic model might be fine. If you're curious about distance walked, calories burned or other measurements – or if you want the ability to upload your walking data or electronically track the numbers – you might prefer a fancier model.

Display. Look for a display monitor you can read in different types of lighting, especially if you'll be walking both indoors and outdoors.

Comfort. Choose a lightweight model that fits on the type of clothing you usually wear.

Sturdiness. Look for a sturdy clip and a security strap to hold the pedometer in place.