Before getting a Digital Pedometer and setting your exercise goal, it is important that you understand what are the benefits of exercising. Exercising is not just about keeping our body fit or losing that extra pound off our weight or extra inch off our waistline.

According to a reliable health information source, below are some great health benefits of exercising or keeping your body active.

1. Exercise helps to reduce the risk of premature death.
2. Exercise helps to lower your blood pressure.
3. Exercise helps to prevent cardiovascular diseases as well as the risk of stroke.
4. Exercise helps to maintain a proper body weight and fat, thus avoiding obesity and overweight.
5. Exercise helps to lower the risk of falling ill from Type 2 diabetes.
6. Exercise helps to prevent the development of some common cancers like colon and breast.
7. Exercise contributes significantly to maintaining healthy muscles, bones and joints.
8. Exercise helps to prevent osteoporosis.
9. Exercise helps to limit the risk of pain in bones, falls and fractures.

Apart from the above, some studies have also shown that physically active people have on average a life expectancy of greater than approximately 6 years compared to people who lead a sedentary lifestyle.

Last but not least, exercise is also known to relax and calm a person’s mind hence effectively reduce the symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress. It improves your performance in work, recreation and sports, as well as your psychological well-being too.

Regular exercise and physical activity are extremely important and beneficial for long-term health and well-being.

To choose a good and high quality Digital Pedometer would usually means paying more. Like everything else you purchase, you pay for what you get. However, to avoid paying more yet getting a poor quality one, you should research and look out for reviews according to the following characteristics of a good Digital Pedometer.

1. Do Not Under-Count Or Over-Count Steps

The most essential characteristic of a good Digital Pedometer is accuracy. Though there is no pedometer that can have 100% accuracy in counting steps, you should not get one that under-counts or over-counts badly. A poor quality pedometer usually under-counts.

2. Comes With A Durable Belt Or Waistband Clip

Do not choose a Digital Pedometer that comes with a belt or waistband clip that breaks easily. Once broken and if it is without warranty for replacement, the device may deem unusable since it is designed to be clipped firmly on our waist to count steps properly. Always look out for belt/waistband clip that comes with lifetime warranty if available.

3. Comes With Warranty (At Least 1 Year)

A good quality Digital Pedometer usually comes with minimum a year warranty or more. One with poor or no warranty gives no assurance that the device can last.

4. Comes With Longer Battery Life

A Digital Pedometer that comes with short battery life will negatively affect its accuracy and your wellness/fitness program. Hence it is essential to find one that has longer battery life.

5. Comes With “False Step” Sensor To Remove Non-Step Motion

Some Digital Pedometers come with built-in “false step” sensor that filter out motions that are not considered as a “normal step”. Such pedometers are usually more accurate in results compared to others.

Digital Pedometers that are used as freebies or give-away items in trade shows, or sold as promotional items are typically considered as “cheap” and “not-so-good-quality” Digital Pedometers.

A Digital Pedometer is a small digital device which calculates the distance you have walked or run, based on the number of steps you have taken. Hence, a pedometer is also known as a stepometer.

As it is not easy to mentally count the number of steps a person walks in an average day, most fitness enthusiasts or people looking to lose weight would prefer to get a Digital Pedometer to help them to achieve their daily exercise goals.

How Does It Work?

A basic Digital Pedometer contains a mechanical sensor which counts the number of steps based on how much your body shakes. The sensor can sense the vibration of your feet hitting the ground or the movement of your body hips, and the software within can add the counter and keep track of the number of steps.

New models are able to convert your steps taken into miles or kilometers (km) or calculate your total calories burnt, or come with an MP3 player. Some companies are even now building pedometer into their personal electronic devices eg. cellphones.

Note :

• It is essential that you wear your Digital Pedometer properly in order for it to measure correctly. Always wear it straight and vertical. It should preferably be firmly attached to your belt or anything around your waist. Avoid placing it inside your pocket or backpack to avoid inaccuracy.
• There is no Digital Pedometer in the market that can be 100% accurate. Even the expensive and reputable models can only be close to the mark.