If you want to choose the best wrist pedometer, first decide what you want to use it for. A basic pedometer will keep track of steps taken, but many more have advanced features such as a watch, calorie counter, and heart-rate monitor. If you are going to use it in inclement weather, finding one that is waterproof or water-resistant is necessary. Other key factors to consider are accuracy, readability and ease of use.
Probably the most common wrist pedometer is one that is built into a watch. They often have other functions included, such as heart-rate monitors, calorie counters, and body-fat-percentage calculators. Some also include distance calculators and sensitivity adjustors that make it easier to calibrate. In addition to the benefits of multiple functions, the advantage of this type of wrist pedometer is that you don’t need an extra piece of equipment.
Many pedometers are built to strap onto the waist. As a variant of that, some wrist pedometers have a counter that attaches to the waist, and the data is picked up wirelessly on a wrist watch or monitor. An advantage of this style of pedometer is that putting the pedometer on the waist has a tendency to make the measurements of the number of steps taken more accurate. The wrist watch simply makes it easier to read. These can be fairly expensive, but are popular.
Whatever style wrist pedometer you choose, the most important component is the sensitivity of the pedometer. One very common complaint about wrist pedometers is that they don’t accurately measure the steps taken and over compensate for the length of stride. The best way to verify if a wrist pedometer has this issue is to check reviews either in magazines or online. Many groups who use wrist pedometers, such as those in walking groups, will also typically have extensive knowledge as well.
If a pedometer scratches or breaks easily, it won’t matter how accurate it is, so make sure it is durable and well-built. The same goes for the display, because if it is hard to read or not clear in the dark or in daylight, it won’t be helpful to have the pedometer. Another common issue is that some wrist pedometers are not so easy to set or figure out how to use. If you can’t figure out how it or a particular setting works, it can be frustrating. Checking reviews or asking sales people about these issues will help you find the best wrist pedometer.