How to choose a pedometer

When choosing a pedometer, you should first of all evaluate its intended use - whether it is a medical device for high-precision activity tracking or just a fitness device for motivating sports.

choose a pedometer

How to choose a pedometer: the main criteria

When choosing a pedometer, you should pay attention to the following device parameters:

View - electromechanical or electronic;
Placement (pedometer on the arm, on the belt, pedometer, sneakers);
The presence of a heart rate monitor;
The connection with the smartphone and the functionality of the mobile application;
Integration into ecosystem monitoring of physical activity;
Additional functions.
The manufacturer is also important.

Types of pedometers

Pedometers are electromechanical and electronic. These two types differ in the principle of operation and measurement accuracy.

Electromechanical pedometers - simple and budget devices. However, they are often used in medicine to monitor a user's physical activity. The principle of operation of such pedometers is quite simple: after switching on, they are placed on the belt or thigh and count, in fact, the number of foot swings.
Almost all electromechanical pedometers are highly specialized. Neither communication with the smartphone, nor counting calories burned, nor other useful functions for an “ordinary” user (including memorizing the number of steps taken during previous workouts) are present. But electromechanical pedometers, due to being placed directly on a belt or thigh, calculate the steps as accurately as possible and do not take into account “junk” movements, such as waving a hand.
Electronic pedometers are equipped with a large number of biometric sensors and position sensors in space, including gyroscopes and accelerometers, and calculate the number of steps taken using a special software algorithm. Therefore, their accuracy may not be too high (up to the "loss" of 10% of movements or the "attribution" of non-existent activity), but this is offset by functionality.
Depending on the model, electronic pedometers can calculate the distance traveled, calories burned, monitor activity over a period, measure heart rate, recognize exercise types, build running tracks, etc.
But the main advantage of electronic pedometers is user motivation. Being a “companion device”, such devices are worn by the owner all the time and can remind you to move a little. Electromechanical is just a step counter.

Electronic pedometers are now embedded in fitness bracelets, smart watches and similar "companion devices."

Which pedometer to choose?

which pedometer to choose

If you need a detailed count of steps taken during a workout, walk, or other physical activity, it is recommended to purchase an electromechanical pedometer with a belt or hip attachment.

If you just need a “general monitoring” of activity or the motivation to walk more, you should pay attention to electronic pedometers.

The main difference between electromechanical and electronic pedometers is that the first show accurate results only when placed on a belt or thigh. The latter show equally inaccurate measurements, regardless of location. But at the same time, the “erroneousness” of electronic pedometers is extremely small due to the constant improvement of the software algorithm for analyzing physical activity.

Almost all modern (as of the end of 2017) electronic pedometers have an error not exceeding a few percent of the actual activity.

Selection options

Accommodation

Pedometers can be placed on the hands (wrists) or on the belt or hips. Also in 2016, several models of sneakers with a built-in fitness tracker came into mass production.

In this case, pedometers of the electromechanical type imply placing solely on the legs or the belt. Being in a pocket or on a wrist, they count the number of steps walked incorrectly. But electronic pedometers are located where it is convenient for the user.

At the same time, pedometers (fitness bracelets) with rich functionality are placed on the arm. This can make the calculations somewhat inaccurate due to tracking “junk” activity. For example, some fitness bracelets even typing on a computer keyboard is counted as steps. But thanks to the wrist placement in pedometers additional useful features are implemented, such as:

Display time and some notifications from the smartphone;
The presence of a heart rate monitor;
Availability of GPS, galvanic skin response sensor, temperature, etc .;
Waterproof case.

Electronic pedometers, fixed on the belt, are performed in a simplified design and are intended solely for monitoring physical activity. Those. There are no notifications, no pulsomer in them. But they differ significantly longer battery life - up to several months.

Sneakers with integrated pedometer also have limited functionality. They monitor physical activity. Despite the placement of the pedometer in the place, it would seem, the direct completion of steps, the accuracy of the analysis is not much higher than that of the wrist.

The main manufacturer of sneakers with integrated pedometer is Xiaomi. But pedometers, embedded in sneakers, also produces Nike.

Therefore, when it comes to buying an electronic pedometer, you should choose a device based on your own preferences.

The presence of a heart rate monitor

The pulse meter is found mainly in fitness bracelets - universal devices that combine a pedometer and several other sports accessories, depending on the configuration. To calculate the heart rate, he uses a special technology of plethysmography: the skin is illuminated with a special LED, and the photosensitive receiver analyzes the amount of light reflected and absorbed by the blood, and based on these data it builds a pulse graph. Accuracy of measurement depends on skin condition, degree of sweating, tightness of the sensor and other factors.

In modern (released, in fact, after 2015-2016) fitness bracelets, the heart rate monitor is quite sensitive and has a high accuracy of heart rate measurement, which differs from the real one by a few percent or 5-8 beats per minute.

Fitness bracelets with a heart rate monitor should be purchased for beginner athletes who have problems with the heart or the cardiovascular system. The heart rate sensor will warn when the pulse will be high, and will recommend a break in the marathon.

Smartphone communication and mobile app functionality

Electromechanical pedometers are a "device in itself" - completely independent and in conjunction with a smartphone that does not need. Electronic may require connections depending on functionality.Some models, such as the Fitbit Charge, can even work offline for weeks, but the Xiaomi Mi Band 2 requires a permanent connection to the smartphone.

The functionality of a mobile application largely determines the functionality of a fitness bracelet with a pedometer as a whole. So, if it has a counting mode of calories burned, the device will count. If it has a memory for previous workouts - they can be viewed. If it has a function to remind you of physical activity, the device will vibrate. And so on.

Therefore, if the pedometer is acquired for motivation, you should pay attention to the model with a developed mobile companion application.

Integration into ecosystem monitoring of physical activity

There are many ecosystems of physical activity monitoring that store data on training, nutrition, well-being, health, etc. The largest ones are Runtastic, Endomondo, Google Fit and Apple Health.

If you use one of them - make sure that the data from the acquired pedometer can be loaded there. This will make activity monitoring more convenient and consistent.

Additional functions

additional functions

Among the most practical additional functions are:

Waterproof case. For running in the rain or just with excessive sweating;
GPS module. For accurate tracking routes;
Tracking sleep. Determines the phase of sleep, its quality and in some cases works as a smart alarm clock;
Virtual trainer. Motivates and gives tips on physical activity.
In addition, advanced fitness bracelets, in addition to the pedometer, may include sensors for temperature, height, galvanic skin response, oxygen level in the blood and a variety of biometric indicators.

Top manufacturers

In general, in 2017 it is quite a difficult task to find a pedometer. These devices are gradually being forced out of the market by fitness bracelets and smart watches, which have the same functionality, but at the same time provide comprehensive monitoring of the user's physical activity.

Nevertheless, several companies still produce electronic and electromechanical pedometers. This, for example:

Omron (manufacturer of medical equipment intended for domestic use);
Pedometer (manufacturer of ultra budget pedometers);
Silva, Tanita (manufacturers of pedometers of the middle price segment).
Among the manufacturers of fitness bracelets are Xiaomi, Fitbit, Jawbone, Moov, Misfit, Garmin and Samsung.