Walking - Pedometer Basics
by Susanne Myers
A pedometer is a neat little gadget that will help you track
how much walking you have done in a day. It can be a helpful tool
in getting into and sticking with an exercise schedule. Let’s
take a look at how you can use a pedometer to get into shape.
Why should I walk? Walking is one of the easiest forms
of exercise to get into. You don’t need any special equipment,
just a pair of comfortable shoes. There are no new techniques
to learn, since you already know how to walk. Walking is a very
low impact activity, that doesn’t put much stress on your joints.
You can start out at any pace that is comfortable to you and walk
for as long as you’d like. Over time you will gradually increase
the intensity of your walking workout by walking for longer periods
of time, increasing the speed as well as the incline you walk
at.
What should I keep in mind when purchasing a pedometer?
You can spend anywhere from $10 - $100 and more for a pedometer.
A basic model will work just fine, as long as it tracks your steps
accurately. Basic models may only give you the number of steps
you walked, while more advanced models will also calculate the
distance walked, calories burnt and usually also keep track of
several days worth of walking. Some even come with some tracking
software you can use on your computer. It will be up to you to
decide how many bells and whistles you would like on your pedometer.
How do I wear the pedometer properly? There are two ways
to wear a pedometer that have been working well for me and have
given me very accurate results. The first is to wear the pedometer
on your belt or directly on your waistband right over your front
pocket. The pedometer should be in line with your foot. The second
option is to clip the pedometer to the top of your shoe. On the
side, right below my ankle is the most comfortable position for
me. Some people also get good results by carrying the pedometer
in their back pocket or clipping it to their waistband on their
side. Try something that seems comfortable to you and walk 100
steps. If your count and the pedometers count are within 5 steps
of each other, you’re in good shape.
How do I get started? Establish a base figure of how many
steps a day you take right now on average. To do this, wear your
pedometer each day for a week and record your daily steps. Calculate
your daily average by adding up all the steps you walked for the
week and dividing the number by 7. Now that you have a base figure
to start with, let’s see how you can increase the steps you take
each day.
How should I increase my steps? Increase the amount of
steps you take by adding 1000 – 2000 extra steps per week until
you reach 10,000 steps if you are trying to stay fit and healthy
or 12,000 if you are trying to loose weight. 2000 extra steps
may seem like a lot at first glance, but you can spread them out
over the course of the day. Park a little further away while running
errands or when you go to work. Take a quick stroll during your
lunch break or walk around the block with your spouse in the evening.
Chase your kids around the yard. Once you get started, you will
find all sorts of creative ways to get a few more steps in here
and there.
Now what? Once you have worked your way up to your target
steps, stick with it. Of course there will be days when you can’t
walk 10,000 steps, but do your best to average 10,000 a day during
the week. If you didn’t walk much during the week, go for a hike
on the weekend. Pretty soon walking will become a habit for you
and you will miss your daily walk when you can’t work it in.
|
|
Site News
Walking
Shoes
 Check
out the fantastic womens'
and mens'
walking shoes at Amazon.com! They have thousands of types of walking
shoes and fabulous prices.
Coolwalking.com
is an associate of Amazon and we have found them to be a very
dependable online shopping site. The selection is incredible and
the prices are out of this world! Click
here to see more samples of what they offer.
Walking Gear
 We
are also working with a company that sells high quality socks,
shorts, pedometers and more. Ultimate
Walking Gear can provide you with the best walking gear available.
Their products are the finest quality on the market and they back
it up with a guaranteed for life policy! The following items will
help you get the most out of your walking experience:
To have a look at this high quality gear, click
here.
|
|
