Pedometer

I believe you can get some pedometers which you just fix on to your clothing which do not require a computer. However, I am not convinced that they are accurate. I once wore one for a week for a sponsored event and found that it counted steps if I just moved on my chair in the office or if I coughed or drove my car etc. etc.

They may have improved. I did the sponsored event about five years ago.

Sony mobile phones used to have one built in. Now you have to download an app. But the apps are very simple to use. You have to measure your stride then it will also tell you how many kilometres you have walked.

You should also be able to adjust the sensitivity so it doesn't count coughs and sneezes or minor jolts.

If you're carrying a mobile phone anyway, an extra gadget is unnecessary.

I have a FitPro. The cheaper version of Fitbit. Available on Amazon for about £30. It links to my smartphone and records steps taken per day - you set your own target. It also measures heart rate, miles walked during the day and calories burned.

I'm really pleased with it. You wear it like a wrist watch so you also get day, date and time display.

I really like knowing whether or not I should be moving a bit more which helps with losing weight.

I am not sure exactly how or why it links to the smartphone. What does the smartphone do in this process? Sorry to be a dinosaur.

The easiest way to link it to the smartphone is to follow a step by step instruction video on YouTube. It will then appear on your smartphone as an app.

I charge my FitPro overnight. The more expensive ones last much longer. You just open the app on your phone every morning and it all synchronises. The information on your FitPro is recorded on the app. You can also record your sleeping heart rate but I don't do that as I would have to charge it up before going to bed. It doesn't take long to charge though so it wouldn't be a problem. The only downside with having it on your wrist is that it might light up and wake you up if you sleep on it and accidentally press the screen.

It's nowhere near as complicated as the Fitbit which is great for people who are really active and want to track and map their running. I'm happy just to have my steps and distance recorded.

I have a MiFit, another cheap FitBit wannabe. It’s very accurate - I have no idea how it knows whether I’m walking or just fidgeting, but it does. It syncs to my iPhone and the advantage is that you can see a record of your steps over the past week, month, etc. It can also give detailed information about your exercise (route, average speed, incline etc), but I don’t bother much with that, nor with the heart rate readings. I do like the sleep monitoring function, as I’m trying (and usually failing) to get more quality sleep, and it’s helpful to have a record of the time you nod off, how much deep sleep you manage, etc. It only needs charging once a month, and that just takes an hour or so.

If you simply want to count steps, though, I’d recommend a cheap-as-chips Daffodil pedometer in your pocket.

I have a smart band that was only about £15 from Amazon. It fits on your wrist like a watch and has a rectangular face that you touch at the bottom to change the function. There is an app for it that you can have on your phone but I don’t bother with it. I just use it to count steps and show my heart rate. You charge it up by pulling one side of the strap off and charge it in a USB port. I find it is more accurate than a pedometer and the pedometer I have clips to your waist band and has fallen off. There are other functions that you can use to set targets for running or walking distances but I don’t bother with these. I have seen similar things on Groupon for a very low cost.

If you have a smart phone you can download a pedometer and calorie counter. My Samsung has Samsung health already on it. I think you are just as well with timing your walk … 30 minutes a day is what is recommended regardless of number of steps.

I CBA to use a pedometer attached to an app. I have one of these, which is very accurate. I know because I have counted my steps along with it several times . This 3-axes type works in a pocket, in a bag or around the neck. Mine has even been in the washing machine a couple of times and worked once dried off!
Tanita 3 axes pedometer
I find I am more likely to top up my total to 10,000 towards the end of the day if I have the pedometer to refer to. It is sometimes painful to walk with my RA but I am determined to keep it up.

I had a great pedometer that clipped onto my belt and was very accurate. Then the battery ran out and there was no way to change it! No-one seems to stock them now. I have a Fitbit that my DD gave me, and I did wear it for a while and then I got fed up of messages flashing onto my iPhone saying things like “where are you? c’mon let’s go!” So I shoved it in a drawer! And when you get to ten thousand steps it makes a noise and fireworks go off! What the hell is all that about? I agree with Teetime; forget the steps, time your walk.

I have a pedometer made by Omron who make blood pressure machines. I used one for a few years to try to do 10,000 steps a day. I just tie it to my bra strap and don't have to carry my phone everywhere which is awkward as most women's clothing does not have pockets.
Be wary though, as I had to get a new one, same brand, but the same level of activity shows far less steps and I don't know which is correct.

Research has looked at the benefits of these and the 10,000 steps initiative. Whilst they may help focus individuals to get out and do more they have no disernable benefit unless walking quickly enough to raise both your heart and respiratory rates. i.e. if you can talk and walk at the same time you are not walking hard enough. I have a pedometer on my phone and it is worrying some days i think i have done quite a lot only to find I have not!

Obviously the faster you walk the more your health will benefit, but I should imagine walking 5 miles at any speed will be more beneficial than sitting on the sofa for the same length of time.

And of course many people simply aren’t in a position to walk 10000 steps or walk briskly. I’m lucky enough to be physically able to do both, but am often found wanting. I find a pedometer a good incentive to do more.

I had a painful bout of plantar fasciitis last winter which affected my walking and even when the pain eventually wore off, I was still hobbling about.

I find a daily step target encourages me to walk properly - wear appropriate shoes (usually Skechers) and pick my feet up. You can always lower the target. 10,000 steps is out of my league because I spend many hours gardening so I'm working hard but not stepping out. It's interesting that WeightWatchers award 17 Fitpoints for 3 hours low intensity gardening but only 11 points for 10,000 steps.

Simple aerobic walking exercises also help to increase steps.

I tried using the Health option on my smartphone and found the step counter. It was a bit of a pain and I had to try and cram it in my tiny trouser pocket. But it told me I had done 3.5k steps - it obviously counts limps too! However, even that number of steps made my hip replacement give me hell! I will keep trying.

Hah! I've found this app for scanning blood pressure:
appotatos.com/finger-blood-pressure-prank
But it's only a prank so try it when you wanna joke on somebody. My friend was really scared when she saw how "high" was her blood pressure.

I downloaded an app. It is really easy to do and therefore always counts your steps. Assuming you have your phone with you that is. Mine was free and is called Noom. You can also log your calories, weight etc.