There are many gadgets that exist today and they make our day-to-day life easier thanks to the interesting functions they have. The pedometer It is just one of these, but also one of the most used in the world, more than anything in the fitness and sports field.
However, while it has a fairly decent popularity, there are still many who do not know anything about this device. Luckily, this time we delve into what it is, how it works and what it is for.
All about the pedometer: what is it and what is it for?
And it is that the function of the pedometer is to count the steps taken by the user who carries it, nothing more. However, at least in most cases, it is usually just one of the features that a device itself has, since few terminals are dedicated solely and exclusively to counting steps.
Basically, the pedometer of any device is what it is thanks to the use of an accelerometer sensor, which, based on the measurement of speed, acceleration and movement, sends the necessary data so that the pedometer performs the calculations to detect and count the steps taken in a walk or run.
Some pedometers base their operation on the use of a pendulum, which replaces the accelerometer to perform the necessary measurements and count the user's steps. Each one, depending on the device and the manufacturer, has its own precision, since the system used to make the calculations in some is not exactly the same as in others.
At the same time, the pedometer function is also often supplemented with the measurement of speed and distance traveled, data that needs the aforementioned accelerometer sensor and a GPS, respectively. However, in some devices the GPS is not included and the distances traveled are calculated based on the data collected by the different sensors that said device may have and the algorithm used to measure them. Likewise, the most precise are the electronic ones, which are the ones that abound in the current market; the mechanics, on the other hand, have a precision that leaves something to be desired. There are also hybrid pedometers, those that are electromechanical.
In question, electronic or digital they are those that, beyond using an accelerometer, a pendulum or any other sensor to perform the necessary measurements, have a program or algorithm that is responsible for translating and solving the calculations taken by said sensors. Added to this, they present a digital screen, which can be of TFT, LCD, IPS or OLED technology. The devices in which we find them the most are the smart watches, activity bands and pedometers in question.
Mechanical pedometers are among the oldest and were mainly used several decades ago, when electronics did not exist. These are based on the use of a pendulum that moves and shifts one of the gears each time the user performs a step. This is how, for each step taken, one tooth of said gear is moved, which is equivalent to one step. The panel of these is similar to that of a clock, with needles that mark the steps taken.
On the other hand, Electronic mechanical pedometers, by functioning as a hybrid of the two already described, combine both systems. This means that the user's movement, as well as the steps, is detected by a pendulum and reflected in numbers through a screen.
Most used pedometer devices today
Many smartwatch have pedometer function nowadays
Nowadays, it is very common to find smart watches and activity bands or bracelets with activity tracking functions that include distance traveled counter, steps taken (pedometer) and calorie counter, among other functions. Many mobiles also have the pedometer function, but some only through the software, either through a pre-installed function or some third-party application.
There are also dedicated and much more advanced pedometer devices than those found in a smartwatch, activity bracelet and mobile phone, but they are usually somewhat expensive and are dedicated to maritime navigation or other specific fields, so they are not used or needed by a common user.
Pedometer Apps on Android
Some of the apps with pedometer features available on Android are as follows:
Step Counter – Pedometer, Calorie Counter
We start with this popular app, one that already has more than 50 million downloads in the Play Store and an enviable rating of 4.9 stars, for being one of the best when it comes to counting steps, recording calories burned and offering various statistics , reports and health metrics of interest for good physical condition. Its interface is very simple and comfortable to use. It also comes with a widget that shows the steps taken from the main screen.
Pedometer – Step Counter
This is another excellent option that also already has more than 50 million downloads in the Play Store for Android. It is very complete and details with great accuracy the user's steps when walking or running, using the mobile sensors. It also shows data such as walking speed, calories burned and distance traveled.
Step Tracking, Health
Now, finally, we have Step Tracking, Health, another excellent mobile pedometer app that does its job perfectly. This helps you achieve goals thanks to the data it is able to collect, such as steps taken, calories consumed and more.
