Dimensions and Weight: 2 x 0.5 x 0.4 inches ; 1.6 ounces Specificatons: Black/Blue Color Accurately tracks daily steps, stairs climbed, distance, calories burned, and activity level via 3-d motion sensor and altimeter technology Measures how long and how well you sleep – just wear it on your wrist at night with Fitbit wristband (included)...
Dimensions and Weight: 2.75 by 1.7 by 0.5 inches, 1.40z Striiv is a personal trainer in your pocket that delivers results and motivates you to move Average Striiv users walk 60 minutes a day–almost double the national average Striiv donates to your chosen charity per steps walked High-resolution 2-inch touchscreen displays your steps, distance, calories,...
If you’re not sure what to look for when purchasing a pedometer, we’ve done the research here for you. Below is a brief list of topics to consider before you purchase a pedometer. What type of Pedometer to Buy? All pedometers count footsteps, but they do it with different methods. There are generally two types...
In it’s essence, a pedometer is a device that counts the steps a person takes throughout a day. High-tech modern pedometers can also measure your heart rate, distance traveled, and calories burned. If you are looking for a good way to track your fitness goals, a pedometer is truly a good tool to use. How...
- Wirelessly uploads fitness data to Fitbit.com within 15 feet of computer. Very comprehensive data presented on their website, allowing you to progress towards your fitness goals. This is by far the biggest benefit, as entering data everyday can get very tedious and annoying. If you are away from the computer, your iPhone can also download the data to sync later on.
- Social Network: Connect with other Fitbit.com users, invite friends and family to join to make your fitness goals more competitive. It makes achieving your goals less of a personal aspect and gets people involved to motivate you.
- Built in stopwatch is quite helpful if you are training for a race, or just want to beat your previous records.
- Right/Lefthand friendly: You can configure order of words depending on where you wear it.
- Long battery life: One charge can last 3-5 days.
- Floor/Stair Tracking – Fitbit Ultra has the function to convert stair tracking into floors ascended/descended
What’s Bad:
-Step oriented: If you use elliptical machines, Pilates, weightlifting, or rowing machines, it won’t accurately record anything that is not involved with typical stepping motions.
- High-end of pricing relative to other pedometers
- Highly sensitive to humidity. Do not wear under a shirt because the sweat may cause it to die. If you engage in vigorous exercise, the wear and tear can reduce life expectancy of the product drastically.
- Easy to lose as it’s the size of a typical USB stick.
What makes it different:
- Hinge clip is sufficient to clip the device directly onto a bra strap or that little coin pocket on a pair a of jeans
- Sleep tracking function is interesting, although usefulness is questionable.
Verdict:
If you’re active and already the gym on a regular basis, and do a decent job watching what you eat, this device won’t be as useful. If you have some motivation, even a weak kindling fire, and perhaps need to be a little bit more efficient to get you moving more and more, the Fitbit will definitely help.
- Lightweight, little car-key-sized device that you slip onto your key chain, belt, purse, or pocket
- Graphical feedback and color screen is convenient to monitor progress
- Charity Focus: The more you move, the more energy points you are awarded, in turn which increases donations to various charities (ie: Clean water in South America, Polio, etc..)
- Easy to use, especially for those who are not tech-gadget familiar
What’s Bad:
- Different touch-screen technology (not as high-end) from the iPhone. If you have an iPhone, it will take some time getting used to and may be slightly frustrating.
- Some software bugs still need to be worked out
What makes it different:
- Charity Focus: Striiv device that counts your steps and gives to a preferred charity based on your movement. Striiv and corporate partners donate on your behalf.
- Addicting mini-games keep you motivated to achieve your fitness goals. User mileage/interest in the game may vary.
- Not very useful for hardcore workout fanatics.
Verdict:
If you are just getting started with a fitness goal and have substantial weight to lose, the Striiv Pedometer is a good place to start. The contribution to charities without a doubt makes it one of a kind and provides a true sense of motivation. With a color touch-screen interface, it’s perfect for those who are not tech-savvy. However, if you already regularly go to the gym or are training for a marathon the Fitbit Ultra might be a better alternative.
- Very well built, sturdy, and surprisingly quiet. Basic water resistance over USB interface included. Resistant to accidental drops.
- USB interface allows data upload into a computer without pressing a bunch of buttons. (For a more advanced pedometer that automatically uploads data through Wi-Fi, check out the Fitbit Ultra)
- Good software to track and monitor progress. Tracks up to 42 days of activity – on an hour by hour basis. Software is compatible with the Omron Blood Pressure Monitor software in the Health Management Package.
- Able to differentiate between normal walking and aerobic walking when the rate and stride change.
What’s Bad:
- Software comes in Windows only. No Mac OSX support. If you are looking for something similar, consider the Fitbit Ultra
- Bulky design and not as fashionable compared to the high end pedometers like Striiv and Fitbit.
- Belt clip/holster is of poor design. You are better off putting this in your pocket or another area.
- Replacing battery wipes out all data, so remember to back up!
What makes it different:
- Software can track your goals compared to vanilla pedometers that just count steps.
Verdict:
If you are looking for a budget pedometer that gets the job done and allows you to track progress via software, the Omron HJ-720ITC is a good place to start. However if you are looking for more advanced features, the Striiv or Fitbit may be a better match.
- Compact, smooth, slim and easily fits in a pocket for use.
- Very low cost item for the functions it provides and the 3-axis capability
- Water resistant. One user put it in the washer and it still worked.
- Silent and no annoying clicking sound.
What’s Bad:
- No software management with a PC to transfer data.
- Cannot clear a day’s information manually, you’ll need to wait until 12:00AM everyday.
What makes it different:
- Good price for a 3-axis pedometer that is also highly durable.
Verdict:
If you are looking for a basic pedometer with 3-axis tracking to keep without maintenance, the Omron HJ-303 is a good budget starter’s option. It gets the job done without much hassle and is very durable. However if you need more advanced features such as data uploading, you’ll have to take a look at other options such as the Omron 720, Striiv, or Fitbit.
- Large display for visually impaired, and calculates calories in addition to steps.
- Always on and does not go into hibernation mode.
- Switches to aerobic mode after 10-minutes of continuous movement.
- Very durable. One user dropped it in the lawn for six months, mowed the grass, and the pedometer survived through the rain.
What’s Bad:
- No On/Off button. If you are driving on a bumpy road in the car, it may recognize it as movement.
- If you are walking very slow, like shopping in the mall it will not record it as movement unfortunately.
- No function to reset counter to zero like other models.
- No computer software to upload data function to monitor and analyze progress.
What makes it different:
It works very reliably, and has a big screen for visually impaired.
Verdict:
If you are looking for a simple digital pedometer that gets the job done, the Omron HJ-112 is a perfect place to start. While it’s simple to use, it lacks some advanced features certain users may be looking for like data upload to a computer for tracking and analysis. For pedometers with those functions, consider the Omron 720, Striiv, or Fitbit.
If you’re not sure what to look for when purchasing a pedometer, we’ve done the research here for you. Below is a brief list of topics to consider before you purchase a pedometer.
What type of Pedometer to Buy?
All pedometers count footsteps, but they do it with different methods. There are generally two types – Piezo-Electric (a.k.a. Silent Counter) and spring counter. Spring-levered pedometers must be placed on a vertical plane to produce accurate measurements and perpendicular to the ground in order to work. Piezoelectric material generates an electrical charge when it’s “deformed” by movement. The weight and energy from movement, such as walking compresses a piezo-electric crystal, and it generates a voltages used to record steps.
Piezo-electric pedometers are generally more accurate when movement speed is slower as they are more sensitive to motion. If you walk slower piezo-electric pedometers may be more suitable for you. Furthermore, for piezo-electric pedometers, you don’t have to worry about the tilt that spring-levered devices need. Tilt (such as walking uphill or hiking) can throw off accuracy of spring-levered pedometers as much as 20% in fast speeds, and 60% at slow speeds (< 2 mph).
So Many Choices – Focus on ACCURACY.
There are hundereds of pedometers avaialble to choose on the market. They are given away for free in cereal boxes, events, and readily available for purchase in sporting good stores. Some even have GPS, heart rate, and calories burned. How does one even start to pick a pedometer?
The basic function of a pedometer is to purchase one that is accurate and can measure the results you need. All the add-ons are pointless if your pedometer is failing at measurements. Accurate pedometers are those with step-count errors less than 10%, high or low. If you walk 100 steps, your pedometer should be recording a range of 90-110 steps. This is critical in making sure you are getting the results you need. To test the accuracy of your pedometer, set it to 0 and walk 100 steps. If the resulting number is within 90-110, you are good to go. Remember to also test your pedometer at different angles just to make sure. The last thing you want is an inaccurate pedometer giving you false results everyday!
Data Upload to a Computer?
Many advanced pedometers today offer data synchronization with a computer. It’s a great tool to help chart progress in your fitness goals. However, this function does come at a cost and there is a premium to be paid. Pedometers with USB or Wi-Fi functionality generally cost about $100 USD (as of January 2012), but many users have found them to be incredibly helpful in this modern age. If you require these functions, check out the Striiv and Fitbit pedometers.
• Omron dual axis technology; counts steps accurately and quietly whether positioned vertically or horizontally
• Automatically resets daily to accurately track steps
• Stores up to 7 days of information in memory; Resets to zero at midnight
• Six tracking modes, track steps, aerobic steps, time, distance, calories and fat grams burned
• Tracks two kinds of steps; Tracks both regular and brisk steps separately
• Omron tri axis technology; counts steps accurately and quietly whether positioned flat, vertically or horizontally
• Tracks daily distance and calories burned
• Automatically resets daily to accurately track steps
• Five tracking modes, track steps, moderate steps, time, distance and calories burned
• Stores up to 7 days of information in memory; Resets to zero at midnight
• Measures steps, aerobic steps and minutes, calories and distance
• Separately displays aerobic steps and minutes walked more than 10 minutes continuously
• 7 day history lets you review a full week of exercise
• Features include large display, clock, detachable belt holder and security strap
• Addictive games powered by walking that encourage you to walk more
• Striiv donates to your chosen charity per steps walked
• High-resolution 2-inch touchscreen displays your steps, distance, calories, and stairs
• Simple-to-use; works out of the box with no instructions
• Put Striiv anywhere on your body – purse, pocket, belt, keychain, or arm
• Accurately tracks daily steps, stairs climbed, distance, and calories burned via 3-d motion sensor and altimeter technology
• Measures how long and how well you sleep – just wear it on your wrist at night with Fitbit wristband (included)
• Small and discreet enough to wear all day- tuck it into a pocket or clip it to a belt or bra
• Wirelessly uploads data to Fitbit.com; No monthly fee
• See online graphs, compete with friends, earn new badges and log food, weight and other workouts on new iPhone app
In it’s essence, a pedometer is a device that counts the steps a person takes throughout a day. High-tech modern pedometers can also measure your heart rate, distance traveled, and calories burned. If you are looking for a good way to track your fitness goals, a pedometer is truly a good tool to use.
How does a pedometer work?
Most pedometers have a small weighted arm mechanism built into the unit, and its suspended by a spring that moves up and down for every step you take. These units are designed specifically to monitor movements we make such as walking. With each step you take, the arm mechanism moves down and touches a contact piece that records the step. Because of this, it’s important to wear the pedometer near your waist/hips for accurate results.
Why should I use a pedometer?
The benefits of exercise are pretty well known and we don’t need to beat a dead horse. With the obesity rate in America reaching alarming proportions, everyone knows exercise is a critical component in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. However, do you know how much exercise you are ACTUALLY getting? With foods that come in larger and larger portions, it’s difficult to keep track of your progress if your exercise also cannot be measured.
A common mistake among dieters is overestimating the amount of exercise and calories burned. Without a method to track your progress, you can trick yourself into making progress while seeing to physical results at all. Pedometers provide objective measurement of physical activity and are one potential remedy to the problem of inaccuracy.
How do you get started with a pedometer?
For starters, it’s important to first calculate your average daily steps to get an idea of your base. From the moment you wake up in the morning, wear your pedometer until you go to sleep at night for 1-2 weeks and record your daily steps. Once you have an average, you will have an idea of how much to increase and where to set your goals. Small increases daily from 250-500 steps can make a huge difference.
Depending on your leg length and how fast you walk, each mile can take anywhere from 1,800 – 2,700 steps. Depending on your mode of activity (running, walking, or sprinting) the step count result will be different. In addition to speed, the type of terrain also makes a difference. Uphill movements generally take more steps compared to walking flat on the road. To get a general idea, set your pedometer to zero and test an activity out for a mile. Once you have a base idea, your calculations to increase will be more realistic.
How can I increase my daily steps?
There are little things you can do in your daily life to increase your step-count. If you took a closer look at your typical week, there are many small opportunities that can add up. A few examples for an office day worker like myself:
To a meeting or work-related errand (Walk the longer route)
After work (Morning Stroll)
Before work (Evening walk after dinner)
At lunch (Walk to a further lunch venue)
On the weekend (Making time to exercise)
Travel (Walk and explore!)
Walking the Dog
To a destination (work/store)
Parking your car farther away from a destination
Used the stairs rather than an elevator
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