A PEDOMETER is a small electronic device, about the size of a pager or smaller. The basic function of a PEDOMETER is to track or count how many steps you take. Most models will also convert our steps into the number of miles you walked and calculate how many calories you have burned. More advanced models will save several days worth of date and some will even connect to your computer so you can chart your progress through software provided as well.
So the PEDOMETER helps you keep track of how many steps you walked. I find that I'm much more motivated to take a little walk through the neighborhood, or park a little further when I'm running errands when I'm wearing my PEDOMETER.
A recent study by the University of Minnesota shows that people wearing PEDOMETERs tend to walk more. The study split people up in two groups who were both encouraged to walk each day. Only one group was given PEDOMETERs to track their steps.
Those with PEDOMETERs increased their steps by about 2100 per day, or 20 minutes of steady walking, a 30% increase in daily steps. They walked almost twice as many blocks as those without PEDOMETERs. People using a PEDOMETER also tend to stick much longer with a walking routine.
