Pedometers

Category: File - :Pedometer.JPG|thumb|An old mechanical pedometer

Category: File - :Omron HJ112.jpg|thumb|A digital Omron HJ-112 pedometer

A pedometer or step counter is a device, in modern times usually portable and electronic or electromechanical, that counts each step a person takes by detecting the motion of the person's hips. Because the distance of each person's step varies, an informal calibration performed by the user is required if a standardized distance (such as in kilometres or miles) is desired.

Used originally by sports and physical fitness enthusiasts, pedometers are now becoming popular as an everyday exercise measurer and motivator. Often worn on the belt and kept on all day, it can record how many steps the wearer has walked that day, and thus the kilometres or miles (distance = number of steps × step length). Some pedometers will also erroneously record movements other than walking, such as bending to tie one's shoes, or road bumps incurred while riding a vehicle, though the most advanced devices record fewer of these 'false steps'. Step counters can give encouragement to compete with oneself in getting fit and losing weight. A total of 10,000 steps per day, equivalent to , is recommended by some to be the benchmark for an active lifestyle, although this point is debated among experts10,000 steps. Step counters are being integrated into an increasing number of portable consumer electronic devices such as music players and mobile phones.

Recently, exercise enthusiasts have observed that an advanced Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver with an odometer mode serves as a very accurate pedometer for outdoor activities. While not truly counting steps (no pendulum is involved) an advanced GPS odometer can reveal the accurate distance traveled to within 1/100 of a mile (depending on the model, perhaps 1/1000 of a mile). One thousandth of a mile is approximately the distance of a single pace or two steps.