Keep track of your walking steps, distance, calories burned and other data with these pedometers that can be downloaded to your computer or to a personal web site. You can view data charts and graphs and see how you are progressing to your goals. Those that link to a web site may have interactive features with other users or experts, and may or may not charge a subscription fee.
1. SportBrain iStep X1
Wendy Bumgardner ©
I've been happy with the SportBrain iStep X1 pedometer for a few years. The pedometer itself displays steps, distance, calories burned, and time of day. Connect it with a mini-USB cable and you can upload your data to the SportBrain web site. A basic membership is included for free, you can view your workouts and daily steps. For a paid Gold membership you can enjoy more graphs for an unlimited time period, join in discussion groups, form online walking clubs, and personalize your data.
2. Omron HJ-720 ITC Pedometer
Wendy Bumgardner © 2007
The Omron HJ-720ITC Pedometer Pedometer is a full-featured pedometer (steps, distance, calories) that also allows you to upload it all to enjoy graphs and charts of steps, aerobic steps, distance, calories and fat burned. The pedometer is of an advanced design that tolerates more tilt than many. It is also absolutely silent and very accurate. You upload your data to your personal computer rather than to a web site. The graphs and charts are good, but you can't annotate them with notes or add data about other exercise, nutrition, etc.
3. AllSportGPS for Smart Phones
Wendy Bumgardner ©
Turn your Blackberry or other compatible smart phones into a GPS mapping speedometer/odometer. View your speed and distance throughout your walk and see your route on a map in real time. Your data is automatically uploaded to a web site after your walk or run for viewing. You can choose to make your routes public or keep them private. You can add photos and text to illustrate your walking adventures. For the small fee, it is a full-featured product. The drawback is that is that this only tracks dedicated walks or runs, not total daily mileage. Like other GPS-based units, it doesn't count steps and you have to use it outdoors rather than indoors.
4. WalkingSpree
WalkingSpree uses the Omron HJ-720IT pedometer to link you to their web site to track your walking data. They are US based and use imperial units (miles and pounds) vs. metric as you may see at Fitbug. With the basic Club Pack you get access to charts and graphs of your walking activity, the ability to track non-walking exercise, forums, blogs, and coaching tips. You can set up online walking clubs and buddies. If you also want to track you diet and nutrition and get expert advice from a personal trainer, you can purchase the Wellness Pack for an additional fee or monthly subscription. If the basic software that comes with the Omron HJ-720IT isn't enough for you, you can add on WalkingSpree.5. Fitbug Pedometer
Wendy Bumgardner (c) 2005
The Fitbug system uses an Omron pedometer simliar to the Omron HJ-720ITC to record your steps, and you upload your data via a USB cable to your own Fitbug web page. You can sign up for a monthly web site usage fee ($7.95 per month as of 2007) or for a yearly plan. It has good, simple diet tracking tools to help you keep your eating in balance with your walking. Fitbug sends you personalised weekly activity and nutrition targets. You can consult with their online experts for advice on fitness and nutrition.
6. DashTrak Pedometer Wellness System
WalkStyles, Inc.
The DashTrak Wellness System includes a pedometer that you can use as a sports watch. Upload your data to the WalkStyles web site to track your steps, distance, speed, and wellness activities. With the optional heart rate strap, you can also use the DashTrak as a heart rate monitor and view your heart rate data while walking. To view your data online, you need a DashTrak subscription for $9.95 per month. The system is not Mac compatible. The DashTrak pedometer recharges via your USB cable or with a wall plug, rather than operating on a long-lived battery.
7. Nike + iPod Sport Kit
Wendy Bumgardner © 2006
The Nike + iPod Sport Kit is a fun way to record your walking or running workouts and get real-time audible updates while you walk or run. This kit includes the shoe pedometer meant to be used in Nike+ ready shoes, which transmits to the included adapter that works only with the iPod nano. You can upload your workout data for free to a personal log on the Nikeplus.com web site. The distance, speed, and calories will only be estimates based on step data. The drawbacks are that the system is meant to be used for workouts rather than to track total daily steps. The battery in the shoe pedometer is not replaceable, you will need to buy a new one when it dies.
8. Garmin Forerunner 205 and 305 GPS Personal Trainer
Pricegrabber.com
The Forerunner uses a GPS to get true distance and speed, although not really a pedometer in that you don't get a step count. It also works only outdoors. The 305 version also includes a chest strap heart monitor. Garmin improved on the Forerunner 201 with a better GPS which performs better in areas with tall buildings, trees, or gullies. They also upgraded the software into a Training Center, and upgraded mapping abilities - you can now download and overlay your workout to a map. This is a fun gadget for those who like to know their speed and distance and download and view the data.
9. ActiPed Activity Monitor
Wendy Bumgardner © 2008
The Actiped fitness monitor is a shoe-clip accelerometer that tracks your steps and calculates distance and calories burned. It uploads wirelessly to your computer via a USB ActiLink stick and connects to the ActiHealth website where you can view graphs and charts of steps, activity time, distance and calories burned. The upload is automatic and effortless. The only drawback is that there is no steps display on the unit, you must go online to see your steps and other data. To use this product, you need a PC running Windows and an Internet connection.
