Welcome Visitor

One way to monitor the amount of physical activity you participate in each day is by wearing a pedometer, or step counter. Pedometers are worn on your belt or waistband, and count the number of steps you take in any given time by measuring the up and down motion of the hip in a vertical plane. Although pedometers have been around for centuries, they have more recently made a “come back” as a motivating way to encourage both children and adults to increase their amount of physical activity.

How many steps do you need to be healthy? Many experts recommend 10,000 steps a day – walking (moving) about 5 miles. Although the “10,000 steps a day” slogan has hit the country and is a good goal to strive to achieve, it is best to determine YOUR baseline steps per day, and then set goals to increase your steps based on your starting baseline. Although adults are typically more sedentary (less active) than children, baseline activity levels vary across all age groups. To determine your baseline, track the number of steps you have for four consecutive days, without doing anything to consciously change your activity level. Find the average number of steps for the four days. That is your baseline. Now set goals to increase your baseline steps. A good goal would be to increase your steps by at least 2000 steps over a month’s time, until you have reached the 10,000 goal. Continue to monitor your steps for at least 10 weeks.

To learn more about pedometers, visit these websites:

General Pedometer Information
http://www.centre4activeliving.ca/publications/wellspring/index.html#Spring03
General info about pedometers – what they are, how they work, etc
Alberta Centre for Active Living

Importance of 10,000 steps a day
http://www.shapeup.org/10000steps.html
Our national goal: 10,000 steps a day
Shape Up America

Online Logs

Log IT – PE Central
http://www.peclogit.org/logit.asp
Log It provides an online log for anyone to record their daily steps, set goals, compare stats, and take a virtual hike across the US. Students must be signed up by their teachers.
Source: PE Central online

Get Active Stay Active
http://www.getactivestayactive.com
Get Active Stay Active is a website for teens to log their PA each day, set personal goals, and win prizes. Teens must be registered by their teachers, and can compete for the Active Lifestyle award, part of the President’s Physical Activity and Fitness Awards program.
Source: PEPSICO

PE Central Pedometry Site
http://pecentral.org/pedometry/index.html
Links to lesson plans using pedometers, ask an expert questions about pedometers, and a downloadable Log to keep track of your steps.
Source: PE Central online

Select Companies to Purchase Pedometers
Walk for Life: http://www.walk4life.com
Digiwalkers: http://www.new-lifestyles.com/