Boston was named a Top Walking Community because of our mass transit options. The T makes it easier to travel to work, errands, and do many of our activities on foot while taking the T in-between.
Boston was ranked #2 in the category of 25 Best walking cities. Improvements that have been made such as longer walk signals at lights and bright, patterned intersections making our city walk-friendly.
Boston was named as Great for fitness walkers. We have one of the highest percentage of residents who walk regularly for exercise
The 2012 Consumer Reports’looked at three types of pedometers. A pedometer counts each step a person takes by detecting the motion of the person's hips. They are not perfect that is for sure. Some pedometers record movements other than walking, such as bending to lift your child or a bump in the road. The best ones; however, are better at not detecting these movements. Step counters can encourage you to compete with yourself in getting fit and losing weight. Some say a total of 10,000 steps per day, equivalent to almost 5 miles, are recommended for an active lifestyle.
Conventional Pedometers: A conventional pedometer typically clips onto a belt or the waistline of your exercise shorts and counts the steps you take by detecting movement with each step. Conventional pedometers range in function from simple step-counters to ones that will also calculate calories burned and distance traveled. I lost one that was clipped to my pants.
Cell Phone App Pedometers: A cell phone app pedometer uses motion sensing to count steps via your cell phone. You will have to wear a cell phone holder, clip, or carry the cell phone in a pocket. I have used one in my pocket and found it to be reliable.
GPS Watch Pedometer: A GPS watch pedometer uses satellite signals to measure distance covered when outdoors. These usually measure distance rather than the number of steps taken. They work well for activities such as bicycling and swimming.
The “winners” were chosen based on how easy the pedometer was to use, the price, and the accuracy.
Conventional pedometers all scored high. The best ones were the Mio Trace Acc-Tek and the Omron GOSmart Pocket HJ-112 models. They each cost $30.00. Wal-Mart’s Sportline Step and Distance got Consumer Reports Best Buy rating. It doesn’t have the features the ones above have but it is only $5.00,
Phone apps: The Accupedo pedometer widget for Android phones and the Pedometer Pro GPA+ for iPhone were recommended with the warning that they lack detailed instructions.
GPS watch pedometers: The Nike+ Sportwatch GPS and the Garmin Forerunner 210 rated excellent overall. They should with a price tag of $200 each. The Timex Ironman Global Trainer GPS Speed+ Distance T5K267F5 rated well but is bulkier to wear and will run you $300.
Consumer Reports recommends that if you are an average walker and want to know how many steps you took and calories burned, then a conventional pedometer in the $30.00 range is your best bet. If you want to know how far and fast you have walked, then a GPS watch will be a better pedometer choice for you.
Find a pedometer in many locations throughout New England at Dick's Sporting Goods.
You may want to read a related article:
Comments