If you are looking to track your daily physical activity in the form of counting steps, then a pedometer may be the best option.
Try it out. If you have ever been curious about how much you are moving throughout the day then wearing a pedometer can answer your question. A pedometer counts your steps for any activity that involves step-like movement. This includes walking, running, stair climbing, and movements as you go about your activities of daily living.
Cheaper than a fitness tracker. If you are only looking to count your daily steps, then a pedometer may be the best option. Fitness trackers do more than count steps which is why they cost more. Generally, the more features it has, the higher the price. A basic pedometer should not cost more than a few dollars. Some of the more expensive ones may include a memory feature or hook up to a computer.
Start making activity goals. The simplest way to start increasing your physical activity is to make small daily step goals. Wear your pedometer for a few days and make a note of how many steps you are currently averaging per day. Once you know your starting point, you can create short term step goals for each day. Your short term goals are the building blocks for your long term goals. Along the way, your small goals will change as you come closer to reaching those bigger goals.
10k steps per day. This is the recommended number of steps you should be aiming for on a regular basis. This number follows the American College of Sports Medicine’s guidelines for 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each week. If you’re not there quite yet- don’t fret! Creating those short term goals along the way will help you build yourself up to 10,000 steps.
Pedometers can be discreet. Most commonly worn on your belt, pedometers are more discreet than activity trackers which are often worn on the wrist. You can even tuck them in your pocket or in a purse held close to your body. You won’t notice it’s there… until your curiosity gets to you and you keep checking how many steps you’ve taken.
No excuses! It’s time to get up and get moving!
