The Best Pocket Pedometers
Pocket pedometers are nifty little gadgets that count your steps while you walk, jog and run. Most manufacturers recommend wearing the pedometer all day, not just when exercising. They vary in price and features , so buying the one that fits your needs can sometimes be tricky. The better pedometers tend to be more expensive, and tend to have more to offer in terms of accurately counting your steps.
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Tracking Mechanism
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Modern technology has replaced the older, mechanical pedometers with newer, more accurate ones. Cheaper and older pedometers use a mechanical tracking mechanism -- usually some kind of miniature lever that bounces back and forth to count your steps. These aren't as accurate or reliable as the more modern electronic sensors, which have no moving parts. This modern technology allows you to place the pedometer in a purse or bag, instead of your pocket, because it is much more sensitive to the movement in your steps.
Battery Life
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Due to their small size, most pedometers run off small, "hearing aid" batteries. An overall better pedometer will typically have more battery life than its lesser competitors. This causes the price to increase, though, because the more expensive pedometers tend to be smaller, leaving less room for the battery. Some higher-end pedometers have batteries that can last up to one year at 10,000 steps per day. Almost all pedometers have replaceable batteries.
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Features
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Exercising requires staying both light and well-equipped -- a good pedometer will have the features to let you do so. Things such as large LCD screens, extended memories for storing data, and internal clocks all come as extras on the best pedometers. While not essential to the pedometer's step-counting purpose, these added features are helpful when exercising and reviewing your data. For example, a large screen makes your pedometer easier to read when running, and a built-in clock will let you run without a watch or a cell phone.
Bundled Software
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Sitting down after your exercise and reviewing the data will help you keep track of your performance and history. Top-end pedometers usually come bundled with fitness software which allows you to upload your pedometer's data to your computer and analyze your walk, jog or run. This software charts and graphs your exercise data on daily and weekly scales, letting you see trends in your exercise routine. Some pedometers will actually calculate approximately how many calories you've burned, and others can measure blood pressure and heart rate.
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References
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