Pedometers are great tools to count walking steps, but you may find problems with the belt clips, sticky cases, and accuracy.
1. Breaking Belt Clips
This is usually a problem of plastic clips. Look for a pedometer that has a replaceable belt clip rather than one molded from the case. You may look for a metal belt clip that attaches with screws and can be replaced.
2. Belt Clips that Don't Hold Securely
I've had many pedometer belt clips that just don't hold securely to my waistband. In the worst instances, they pop off while walking or sitting. But most pedometers hop off when you make a restroom stop, so I always use a pedometer leash as extra security. You can buy a leash that has an alligator clip at one end, or you can cobble together one of your own with string and a safety pin. To add insult to injury - I've had the alligator clip on the safety leash break, too!3. Too Tight Belt Clips
The opposite problem is a belt clip that has such tension that you can't easily get it open enough to fit it over your waistband. I've encountered a few of these and quickly loose patience with it. This is especially a problem if you have impaired dexterity due to arthritis or other conditions.4. Sticky Cases that Won't Open
For pedometers that have a case cover, I've given up on reviewing some pedometers because I couldn't get the case open without a struggle. You should be able to open up the case while it is still attached to your waistband. Often this is a flaw in a single unit and you should return it for one that opens easier.5. Accidental Resetting
For pedometers that don't have a case to cover the buttons, a big problem is in buttons that can be accidentally pushed to reset the step count. Usually you have to push it for a couple of seconds, but even that can happen if you lean on something. If you find this happening often, get a pedometer that has a closed case. I also prefer pedometers that have a 7-day memory function so they don't lose my steps completely if I accidentally reset it.6. My Pants are Talking Again
My discontinued version of the Sportbrain has a talking button that will tell you your step count. The problem is that I can activate that by bumping it against something, so I find my pants talking to me at inappropriate times. Even non-talking ones may have beeps, etc. when the buttons get pushed.Noisy clicking pedometers are annoying. This is a function of the type of pedometer. The more expensive ones use a piezoelectric design that is silent without clicking. If the clicking bothers you, trade up.
Plain old inaccuracy is the biggest problem. Those freebie pedometers are often inaccurate. You need to trade up to a more accurate design. The piezo-electric accelerometers are the most accurate, and are quiet.
Once you have an accurate pedometer, the darn thing won't let you lie to yourself about how many steps you have logged. How fair is that? You can't fudge it, you have to MOVE IT! But, that's the whole point of wearing one, so get moving!
Pedometers count steps. They don't count exercise in general, so you may be burning lots of calories with other activities, but they won't register on a pedometer. You can keep track minutes spent in other exercise and use my step conversion charts to translate those activities into steps. For pool walkers, the only waterproof pedometer I've seen is from Oregon Scientific and it is not cheap.
