What to Look For in a Pedometer

All pedometers are not created equal, and generally speaking you get what you pay for. Pedometers range from free promotional giveaways to over $100.

The basic pedometer, which simply measures the steps taken, is all that is required for this challenge. More advanced pedometers can also measure distance traveled, calories burned, and duration walked. The more features your pedometer has, the more it will likely cost.

Here are a few key things to consider when purchasing a pedometer:

What features are you looking for in a pedometer?

• Basic step counting (all that is required for this challenge)
• Distance travelled in miles/kilometres
• Time of walk/run
• Steps per minute
• Speed

Is the design of the pedometer functional?

• Are the buttons easy to use?
• Is the display panel easy to read?

We recommend purchasing a model where the buttons are located inside a flip-down case. This feature protects the buttons and should eliminate your pedometer from resetting itself by accident.

Does the pedometer have a secure clip?

• Pedometers are only effective if they are held firmly in place.
• Some pedometers come with an extra security clip that can be clipped on to prevent a pedometer from falling off your waistband.
• If your pedometer doesn’t have a secure clip you may wish to add a string and a safety pin to prevent your pedometer from falling to the ground or going for a swim when using the washroom.