A pedometer is a little electronic gadget that tracks how many steps a user takes while jogging or walking. It is a tool that aids users in keeping track of their physical activity and tracking their advancement towards reaching fitness objectives.
The idea of a pedometer originated in ancient Japan, when distance was measured using a mechanical device known as a “manpo-kei” at that time. However, pedometers didn’t become generally accessible to the general population until the latter half of the 20th century.
A pedometer’s main job is to track your steps. It measures the motion of the wearer using an accelerometer, a sensor that recognises movement. The gadget tracks each step as one step after detecting the movement.
Modern pedometers provide a variety of capabilities in addition to step counting, which increases their usefulness and adaptability. Many models can figure out how far you’ve travelled, guess how many calories you’ve burned, and even monitor how long you were physically active. Some cutting-edge pedometers may connect to smartphones or fitness applications, making it simple for users to review and log their fitness statistics.
A pedometer can be useful for people who want to enhance their health and wellbeing in a number of ways. First off, it promotes accountability and incentive. People are more likely to make an attempt to increase their step count when they are aware of how many steps they are taking each day. This increases their awareness of their level of physical activity.
Additionally, keeping track of one’s steps might aid in setting and achieving fitness objectives. A pedometer enables users to set measurable goals and monitor their progress, whether they’re trying to increase their daily step count gradually over time or aim for a certain number of steps each day. This can be especially beneficial for people who are starting a weight-loss journey or seeking to increase their daily physical activity.
A pedometer can also be a helpful tool for people who want to keep up an active lifestyle. People can simply monitor their daily activity level and make sure they are regularly achieving their desired step count by using a pedometer. This can aid in discouraging inactive behaviour and encouraging routine exercise.
Try to walk 10,000 steps per day
Many studies have suggested that we should all aim to walk at least 10,000 steps per day. This recommendation originated in Japan but it has now gained acceptance in many countries around the world, including the UK and the US.
The American College of Sports Medicine estimates that people with low levels of physical activity who increase their average daily steps by 2,000 steps per day do benefit their health, especially if this helps reach a total of 7,000 or more.
You can use the following recommendations in conjunction with a pedometer to find out how active you are:
Steps Per Day / Activity Level
- 5,000 Steps per day – sedentary
- 5,000 – 7,499 steps – low active
- 7,500 – 9,999 steps – somewhat active
- 10,000 steps – active
- 12,500 steps – highly active
Children may even do more than this. We would expect young boys and girls to achieve 12,000 to 15,000 steps per day.
How far is 10,000 steps?
For an average-sized person, 10,000 steps is the equivalent of approximately five miles, though obviously depends upon how long your stride is. It’s also equivalent to about 300-400 calories.
Five Miles per Day! I Don’t Have the Time for That!
That’s why using a pedometer can be useful.
where the pedometer comes in. You may be pleasantly surprised by how many steps you take in an average day without deliberately going for a walk. On the flipside, you may just be shocked by how few steps you take by leading a sedentary lifestyle.
Aren’t Pedometer’s expensive?
Not really. Sure, you can go to town and buy and all singing and dancing fitness device or you can just start slowly and buy a cheap, but effective device such as one of our simple pedometers. Tiny steps and all that!
Photo by Anthony Cunningham for Zoom Health
Zoom Health is a leading UK supplier of Home Health Tests and Earplugs
This post was originally published in 2016. It was last updated in July 2023.
