What is Pedometer : Features, Benefits & Top Manufacturers

A pedometer is a wearable or portable electronic device that measures the number of steps taken during walking, running, or other physical activities. Modern pedometers often include distance tracking, calorie estimation, activity monitoring, and wireless connectivity features that help users improve fitness levels and maintain healthy lifestyles.

About Pedometer

• A pedometer is an instrument used by walkers or runners to estimate the distance traveled by counting the number of steps taken. This is based on the principle that distance is equivalent to the number of steps multiplied by the step length.
• Pedometers commonly come in the form of a watch that records foot steps.
• These electronic or electro-mechanical devices count steps based on the detection of motion in the hands or hips. They typically run on lithium batteries.
• Generally, a 30-minute walk equates to approximately 3,000 to 4,000 steps, as estimated by a pedometer.

• Some of the best pedometers deliver results with an accuracy of about +/- 5%.
• Certain pedometers use GPS receivers to measure distance traveled.
• Modern pedometer watches offer more data analysis for users, including sleep tracking and heart rate monitoring.
• They are widely used by sports and fitness enthusiasts, as well as regular walkers.

Best Pedometers Manufacturers

Figure 1 depicts some of the top pedometer manufacturers available in the market. The following table details the features of their respective pedometers.

Manufacturers	Description
OMRON	• Model: Tri Axis • It has 4 activity modes viz. aerobic steps, tracks steps, distance traveled and calories burned. • It has capacity to store 7 days of information. • It gets reset automatically every day. • Price: INR 2237
XIAOMI	• Model: MI Band 2 • It has OLED display. • It is suitable for bluetooth 4.0, android 4.4 or iOS 7.0 and above versions. • It provides time, distance, steps, calories, battery status and heart rate measurements. • Price: INR 1599
LENOVO	• Model: HW01 • It functions as pedometer and also provides measurement of calories burned and sleep monitoring. • Compatible with android and iOS devices. • It is bluetooth enabled and uses OLED display • Price: INR 1299
APPLE	• Model: Smart Band (iPhone 7 Plus 128GB compatible) • It has 0.69 inch OLED display. • It is compatible with android 4.4 and iOS 7.0 • It provides heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, measurement of calories & distance and also acts as pedometer. • Price: INR 1498
FITBIT	• Model: FitBit Charge 2 Wireless • It is activity tracker and sleep wristband • It also provides heart rate tracking • Call, text and calender notifications are also available on OLED display. • Price: INR 10999

Advantages of Pedometers

Here are the benefits of using pedometers:

• They are easy to use, simply worn on the wrist or hip.
• They are inexpensive and non-invasive.
• They are used to measure common activities, such as walking, in schools, workplaces, and by regular walkers.
• Pedometers typically provide measurements of distance traveled on foot. Modern pedometers also offer measurements of energy expended and time, as well as heart rate monitoring.
• Most pedometers recommend taking 10,000 steps per day.

Summary

A pedometer is a step-counting device used to track physical activity and fitness performance. Leading manufacturers offer pedometers with features such as step monitoring, distance measurement, calorie tracking, and health analytics.