Quick guide to pedometers by Patricia Ryan

When encouraging people to increase physical activity by walking, two valuable tools are pedometers and goals. By wearing a pedometer, individuals can significantly increase the number of steps they take. After all, the readout on the pedometer enables individuals see how much they walk. A goal gives people a reason to increase that number, whether as an individual pursuit or as part of a group challenge.

Pedometers vary in accuracy. Attaching the pedometer in the best possible position and consistently placing it in the same spot will help insure that the counts, no matter how accurate, reflect the individual’s steps.