Pedometer Mania! « « CardioLogix.comCardioLogix.com

Recently, experts have come to agreement that getting the equivalent of 10,000 low-intensity steps a day can have an enormous positive impact on one’s health. But the question is, “How do I know how far 10,000 steps is?” and “How can I measure that distance in my office or home?” The answer is simple…

Use a pedometer!

If you are not familiar with the term “pedometer” it is simply a a small device worn on the body that counts the number of steps that the wearer takes. Pedometers have become more popular in the last few years as a way to become aware of how much time we spend on our butts and how little time we spend up and moving. Most pedometers differ from a heart rate monitor, heart rate watch, or calorie counter watch in that they do not measure metabolism, only the mechanical action of taking a step.

Studies show that the older you get, the more important it is to move around regularly. Scientists now warn that sitting for long periods could be bad for your health, regardless of whether you exercise consistently or not. Do you find that you spend a lot of your time sitting down? Do you work on a computer for hours at a time? It is the amount of time that you spend sitting that makes a difference in your health and investing in a good pedometer can be a great way to help you reduce the risk involved.

Here’s why…

Studies show that people who spend a great deal of time sitting are more likely to be fat, have a heart attack or even die. That makes sense but what is surprising is that there is some evidence that just standing regularly throughout the day can help alleviate this danger.

According to Marc Hamilton of the Pennington BioMedical Research Center apparently there is an enzyme that is produced that helps to burn fat, and when mice were prevented from standing, the production of this enzyme was turned off .

A disturbing study published by the American Journal of Epidemiology showed that sitting for more than six hours a day resulted in a great risk of mortality for both men and women, regardless of physical activity level. That means that even going to the gym for an intense workout after spending most of the day sitting is probably not enough.

Just standing up, walking to the water dispenser, or any other quick errand can result in reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. But why not use a pedometer to measure your steps during these intervals? It is suggested by many health care professionals that getting at least 10,000 steps a day can keep people reasonably fit. And if these steps are spread out through the day, it also solves the problem of too much sitting at one time. A step counter is a great way to keep track!

If you happen to be in a job where you need to spend a lot of time on the phone, and you do not need to be active on a computer at the same time, this is an excellent time to spend walking around your office. You will be surprised how quickly the steps add up, reducing health risk and keeping those fat burning enzymes flowing!

It doesn’t have to be a work call for you to walk about while on the phone. If you spend much time talking to friends and loved ones, this is also a good time to walk. It can keep you from spending hours sitting in your chair in the evening. A good wireless headset or a cell phone can help make you more mobile.

On a nice day, you can even get some fresh air and a dose of vitamin D by taking your walk outside. (Be careful not to overdo your sun exposure, of course.) Some people find that just the fact of having a pedometer in their pocket makes them think more about finding ways to get more steps in every day.

There are basically two types of pedometers available.

One type requires that it be perpendicular to the ground in order to work. This type is called Spring-levered, and it uses a horizontal spring-suspended lever arm that moves in response to your hip movement as you walk or run.

The other type is called Piezoelectric, and it generates an electrical charge when a crystal is compressed by a beam with a weight on the end. The voltage generated is used to record the steps.

Pedometers tend to be more accurate at higher speeds (greater than 3 MPH), but if you are a slower walker (or spend a lot of time walking with your phone) the piezoelectric ones tend to be more accurate.

So, what kind of pedometer is best to use? The kind that you will USE!

Regardless of which type you choose, a pedometer can go a long way in motivating you to sit less and walk more, which is a great step to better health.

For a list of high-quality, affordable pedometers with reviews click here.