To maintain a healthy state of the body, a certain number of steps must be taken daily. For young people, this is 11,000 - 13,000 steps, for the elderly - 5,000 - 7,000. In order to monitor activity and remember to set daily goals, devices were created to count the number of steps - pedometers. In this article, we will consider in detail the main pros and cons of portable pedometers and fitness bracelets with a heart rate monitor.
What is a pedometer for?
Despite its small size, a modern pedometer can perform many functions:
- measurement of the number of steps;
- pressure measurement;
- heart rate measurement;
- sleep control;
- calorie counter;
- height measurement.
Pedometer on hand
All these features allow you to monitor health, control weight or manage the training process. Also, a pedometer is the best motivation for action for those who want to increase activity, but constantly put it off for later.
How to choose the best pedometer
Thanks to the development of technology, conventional pedometers have gone far beyond their destination. Now measuring the number of steps is just one of the functions of gadgets that can measure heart rate, pressure, calories consumed, and sleep duration. Therefore, it is very important to decide which pedometer to choose. Here are some important options to find the right option.
Principle of operation
Pedometers are divided into three important groups:
- mechanical;
- electromechanical;
- electronic.
And if the former almost disappeared from store shelves, the latter are actively developing, earning new fans. Experts advise choosing electronic devices because of the greater accuracy and reliability of the readings.
Functionality
Modern pedometers can boast a wide range of features, so before buying it is important to understand why the gadget will be used, so as not to overpay for extra functionality.
In cheaper models, usually there is only a step sensor and an accelerometer, and in more expensive options there is a tonometer, GPS navigation and weight control.
Price
The cost of each pedometer is calculated based on the number of functions and product quality. Depending on this, the price of the device varies from 500 to 5000 rubles. Therefore, it is important to immediately determine the desired functionality, and only after that look for the preferred price. Advantageous offers for a specific model can be compared on Yandex.Market.
Working hours
Autonomy is one of the most important parameters when choosing a good pedometer. Simple devices can work without recharging for up to four months, but an increase in the number of measurements leads to a decrease in these indicators. For example, if the gadget is equipped with a calorie counter or heart rate monitor, then its operation time will be reduced to a few days.
Mechanical, electromechanical and electrical pedometers
Type of mount
Pedometers are pocket-sized, in the form of a bracelet with a wrist clasp or a clip, which is attached to the belt by the belt. Sometimes pedometers are attached to the ankle. The choice of this or that mount depends only on personal convenience, but pedometers-bracelets are still very widespread, since only they allow you to automatically receive heart rate indicators.
operating system
Most pedometers do not have their own OS, so they synchronize incoming information with the application for the phone.When buying a gadget, it is important to choose the model that will be compatible with the smartphone OS.
Most modern pedometers work on the basis of Android and iOS, but picking up a device on Windows Mobile will not be so simple.
Moisture protection
An important parameter for those who lead an active lifestyle and do not want to part with the gadget even in the shower or pool. Most often, protection against moisture does not imply prolonged immersion in water, but can provide reliable protection in the rain and when washing hands.
Top 10 pedometers of 2018
In this review, we have compiled a ranking of the best pedometers, including the most modern watches with blood pressure monitor and best heart rate monitors 2018.
Barry Fit E210
Barry Fit E210
This pedometer is listed because of its low cost and reliability. It contains only the most necessary functions, but it completely copes with its direct task. The ultra-slim design and the absence of buttons on the panel make using the device convenient, and a long strap allows you to wear it around your neck or in your bag.
Price: 550 rub.
OS Compatibility: No
Sensors: biaxial accelerometer
Display: yes
Moisture protection: no
Mount Type: Lace
Autonomy: 7-10 months
Functions: steps, distance, speed, calorie counting
Weight: 20g.
Tanita PD724
Tanita PD724
Tanita belongs to the cell of professional pedometers, because the basis for measuring activity is a more accurate three-dimensional technology. With this device, you can calculate the distance traveled, calories burned and time spent. The pedometer is equipped with a convenient lock that allows you to carry it with keys or use it as a keychain for a backpack.
Price: 2500 rub.
OS Compatibility: No
Sensors: three-axis accelerometer
Display: yes
Moisture protection: no
Mount Type: Metal Clasp
Autonomy: 4 - 5 months
Functions: steps, time, distance, calories burned, stopwatch
Weight: 27g.
Omron CaloriScan HJA - 306
Another pocket gadget that can be attributed to the classic pedometers - it has its own display and does not synchronize with third-party programs.
Omron CaloriScan HJA - 306
As the name implies, CaloriScan is “sharpened” to assist in weight loss. To do this, it provides modes of "training" and "run", allowing more accurately calculate lost calories.
Price: 4500 rub.
OS Compatibility: No
Sensors: three-axis accelerometer
Display: yes
Moisture protection: no
Mount Type: Pocket
Autonomy: 5-6 months
Functions: time, distance, calorie count, burned fat, step length adjustment, activity monitoring
Weight: 25g.
Beurer AS50
This pedometer combines the best qualities: small size, ease of use and stylish design. The lack of an application on a smartphone is compensated by the ability to download data to a PC through the Easy Fit program. A convenient strap allows you to carry the tracker on your wrist.
Beurer AS50
Among the unusual functions, a user reward system for activity and a 5-step sensitivity adjustment of the step sensor can be distinguished to increase the accuracy of indicators.
Price: 4400 rub.
OS Compatibility: Windows
Sensors: three-axis accelerometer, activity sensor
Display: yes
Moisture protection: is
Mount Type: Clip, Bracelet
Autonomy: 14 days
Functions: steps, time, distance, calorie counting, activity measurement, running mode
Weight: 40g.
Fitbit one
The first thing that catches the eye of the buyer is the unusual appearance of the device. That's because the creators of this pedometer are not a medical-oriented, but a sports company.
But not only the designers proved themselves in this gadget: the pedometer boasts a decent software filling, resistance to temperature, vibration and moisture. True, the presence of a large number of functions is compensated by a short battery life.
Fitbit one
Price: 4500 rub.
OS Compatibility: iOs 5.0+ / Android 4.3+ / Mac OS X 10.6+
Sensors: three-axis accelerometer, altimeter
Display: yes
Moisture protection: is
Mount Type: Clip
Autonomy: 5 days
Functions: steps, time, distance, calorie count, lift height, daily activity level, sleep monitoring
Weight: 8g.
Xiaomi MiBand2
This multifunctional device can hardly be called a pedometer - it is rather a representative of the popular and actively developing cell of fitness trackers. The difference is that the latter perform much more functions than simple pedometers, and have the ability to synchronize with smartphones.
Xiaomi MiBand2
MiBand2 got into this top because in 2018 it was recognized as the most inexpensive and bought bracelet among its segment. It can become both a good helper in sports and a partial substitute for a mobile phone. In addition, this bracelet supports the function of measuring heart rate, which allows you to monitor the state of the heart muscle during training.
Price: 1300 rub.
OS Compatibility: iOS 7 / Android 4.3
Sensors: three-axis accelerometer, optical heart rate monitor
Display: no
Moisture protection: is
Mount Type: Bracelet
Autonomy: 15 days
Functions: steps, time, distance, speed, calorie count, heart rate, smart alarm, sleep monitoring, call notifications
Weight: 7g.
Polar M400
In addition, it is possible to synchronize with Polar cycle sensors and blood pressure monitors, 20 training profiles for all sports, and a program for transferring data to a smartphone. M600 can be definitely called best heart rate monitor for fitness and athletics. This smart watch is unlikely to be needed for someone who just wants to follow the daily number of steps. After all, all the most advanced technologies for sports are collected here: an ultra-precise heart rate monitor, an accelerometer with built-in GPS, showing the location and distance traveled.
Polar M400
Price: 11900 rub.
OS Compatibility: iOS 7 / Android 4.3
Sensors: three-axis accelerometer, heart rate monitor, activity sensor (the ability to connect a bicycle sensor and tonometer)
Display: yes
Moisture protection: is
Mount Type: Bracelet
Autonomy: 30 days, in GPS mode - 14 days
Functions: steps, time, distance, speed, calorie counting, activity measurement, sleep monitoring, heart rate monitor, pulse amplitude, 20 training modes, GPS search, recovery level, step frequency when running
Weight: 79g.
Suunto 3 fittness
This pedometer is the best indicator that a powerful functional consisting of several sensors and a modern OS can fit in one small device.
All data is displayed both on the watch display and in the mobile application. Suunto has not only a technologically advanced design, but also an ultra-precise heart rate monitor and accelerometer. When connected to a smartphone, trackers display messages from social networks and incoming calls. In addition, it is possible to synchronize with the chest strap Suunto Smart Belt, to display ECG indicators in real time.
Suunto 3 fittness
Price: 14900 rub.
OS Compatibility: iOS 8+ / Android 5.0+
Sensors: three-axis accelerometer, heart rate monitor
Display: yes
Moisture protection: is
Mount Type: Bracelet
Autonomy: 5-10 days
Functions: steps, time, distance, speed, pace, calorie counting, heart rate monitor, activity level, sleep monitoring, heart rate dynamics, 6 sports profiles, training analysis, timer
Weight: 36g.
Herzband elegance s
This model is perfect for those who appreciate not only practicality, but also an elegant style. In 2018, this gadget was recognized as the most stylish hand heart rate monitor. When looking at the striking design of this watch, it’s hard to guess that high-tech sensors are functioning inside, which are responsible for controlling heart rate, pressure and activity. Measurements are performed automatically every 10 minutes, which allows you to calculate the average daily value.
Herzband elegance s
Notifications about SMS and incoming calls come to the smart watch, it is possible to set up to 20 alarms and prolonged immersion in water.
Price: 4500 rub.
OS Compatibility: iOs 8+ / Android 4.4+
Sensors: three-axis accelerometer, heart rate monitor, blood pressure monitor
Display: yes
Moisture protection: is
Mount Type: Bracelet
Autonomy: 6-10 days
Functions: steps, time, distance, calorie counting, heart rate monitor, blood pressure monitor, sleep monitoring, blood oxygen, activity / fatigue level, SMS and call management, alarm clock, camera control, goal setting.
Weight: 36g.
Omron Project Zero 2.0
The first place can be confidently given to the innovative project of Omron, which will enter the market only at the end of 2018, but already promises to be the main event in the world of portable gadgets for health and the best fitness bracelet with tonometer and heart rate monitor.
Omron Project Zero 2.0
It is known that the role of an inflatable cuff will be played by the strap of a small watch, which will need to be brought to the chest to begin measuring pressure. In addition, this watch will have all the functions of a pedometer and heart rate monitor.
Price: ~ 21000 rub.
OS Compatibility: iOS 7 / Android 4.4
Sensors: three-axis accelerometer, heart rate monitor, blood pressure monitor
Display: yes
Moisture protection: is
Mount Type: Bracelet
Functions: steps, time, distance, calorie counting, heart rate monitor, blood pressure monitor, activity level, sleep monitoring, heart rate dynamics.
Pedometers are a good helper in maintaining health and monitoring training, but nevertheless, its most important function is motivation for action. Nothing motivates more than a real indicator of the work done. And a daily increase in the number of steps is the key to a happy and healthy life.