Pedometer Steps
Pedometer Steps
How do you count your steps on a pedometer walking to work?
1. The first thing you need to do is establish that the pedometer you are using is accurate and consistent. To do this, reset the step count on the pedometer and walk exactly 20 steps counting as you walk. Check the count on your pedometer. If your counting steps and pedometer count is the same, that’s good. Repeat this for 50 steps and if the difference is within 2 or less then that’s good too. Repeat this for 100 steps and if the difference is within 3 or less, then you’re ready to go. If the counts are different (either up or down) by more than these suggestions, then the pedometer is not accurate enough. Get another one.
2. To determine stride length, do the following. Visit a local athletics track and ensure the 400 meters marked in any lane is actually 400 meters. (I have found very large differences.) Now set your pedometer step count to zero and start walking at a normal pace at normal speed. Having returned to your starting point, check what step count is on the pedometer. Repeat this exercise at least twice to get two additional pedometer counts. Determine the average of the three counts by adding them and dividing by three.
3. Last step for stride length: This number is the number of steps you take to walk 400 meters. If we now divide this number by 400 meters, you get the average length of normal walking on level ground. This will give you the number of meters per step. (For example, I take 421 steps, with my pedometer, walking 400 meters. My stride length is then; 400 meters / 421 steps = 0.95 meters per step.) This is the number that must be programmed into your pedometer.
In feet:
Use a football field, which is 300 feet from goal line to goal line. Count your steps. Divide 300 by the number of steps.
Use a regulation track at the local high school. This is tricky because some are 1/4 mile = 440 yards = 1,320 feet, while others are 400 meters = 1,308 feet, so you may have to ask the coach. Walk in the inside lane only. Count your steps. Divide either 1,320 or 1,308 by the number of steps.