Pedometers
are small, inexpensive devices that count the number of steps that people walk
each day.
Less
than a decade ago, these were mechanical devices that were almost exclusively
used by sports and physical fitness enthusiasts as a tool to measure their
steps and distance.
Since
the digitalization of pedometers, however, they have become a lot more attractive
to your ordinary human.
Now,
exercise enthusiasts and ordinary humans alike are embracing these devices as a
way of counting their steps and motivating themselves to do more exercise.
These
devices are extremely needed in a world where many adults fail to meet the
guidelines of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise a week.
Even
those who do exercise regularly are thought to overestimate our activity
levels, with Americans far more likely to be at fault than Europeans, according to one study.
Using a
pedometer allows individuals to have a more accurate idea of their activity
levels and make changes to their lifestyle where needed to make sure they are
doing enough.
In fact, researchers from Brunel University and St Georges University in London found that using a pedometer would have long term benefits on someone’s activity levels, for as long as three or four years down the line.
With that being said, choosing the right pedometer for you on a budget isn’t always easy.
There
are many different options on the market, ranging vastly in price or
functionality, which is why we have come together with the ultimate list of
things you should consider in order to purchase the right pedometer for you.
Work Out What You’re Willing To Spend
Before you think too much about
purchasing a pedometer, you need to think about how much you are willing to
spend.
Pedometers don’t have to be expensive, with basic models available for less than $5 on Amazon, but the price does vastly increase if you’re looking for something super accurate and state of the art.
Having your budget in mind from the
beginning will allow you to automatically discard the options that are out of
your price range, and think more seriously about the things you will be able to
find within your budget.
Look For The Best Products Of The Year
When
you first start looking for a pedometer, knowing where to start researching or
what you should expect from your device can be difficult.
This is
why we always recommend looking at a list showing the best pedometers of
the year, which provide you with an idea of the best pedometers on the market.
These
lists tend to have devices in a number of different price ranges to suit all budgets,
but even if you cannot find something that works for you, these lists will give
you a good idea of where to get started.
Whether it’s looking at a certain brand that pops up time and time again, or a number of features that you’d quite like with your own device, you will be far better equipped after doing this research than if you were to go looking into the market completely blind.
Figure Out What
You Want Your Pedometer To Do
Fundamentally,
pedometers are fitness trackers used to measure the amount of steps.
There are some studies that suggest these more basic devices aren’t motivating people enough because they do not possess the same addictiveness as our smartphone would.
For
this reason, many manufacturers of pedometers and other wearable devices have
started to add additional features to encourage people to take even more
control over their health.
This is
where you must decide what you want your device to do. There are those that
track your sleep and heart rate, and some will even allow you to connect with
friends to add the competitive streak some will need to motivate them to
continue.
Being
on a budget, you may need to prepare to compromise with the functionalities in
question, but knowing what you want is a great place to start looking.
Choose A Few
Different Options Within Your Price Range
Once you know what you want, it’s time to start researching the different pedometer options available within your price range.
Choosing
a few different options allows you to have backups when looking at reviews,
which are the best way to determine whether a product is really as good as it
says it is in advertising or on their website.
These
reviews are also likely to tell you about the accuracy of said pedometers,
something which is increasingly important.
Many people assume that the most well-known brands are the most accurate, but this isn’t always the case, with one 2017 study finding Fitbit one of the most inaccurate of all pedometer devices on the market.
Changes have since been made, with Fitbit now considered to be one of the most accurate, but it’s worth doing some research to find out the most recent statistics before you make your purchase.
Buy The One
That Performs The Best
After
narrowing it down to a few of your favourite options and reading the reviews,
you should find that there is one device that stands out on top.
This
varies from person to person, but it should be a pedometer within your
budget that does everything you want it today.
After that, all that’s left is for you to take the plunge and purchase said device.
It’s worth noting that you can make further savings to your budget by shopping around and looking at in-store and online offers.
This
definitely requires more patience, but it can pay off, leaving you with more
money to dedicate towards other areas of your life while also providing you
with a tool that will help motivate you more.
Conclusion
While
buying a pedometer on a budget can definitely be difficult, it’s not
impossible, and you should never let your budget restrict your ability to
choose.
Though
budgeting does require more research than buying a pedometer on a whim, this
patience can often pay off, providing you with a device that has all the
features you need for far less than you would have spent otherwise.
This post is contributed by Michael Reddy from Digital Authority Partners