How to Monitor Pedometer Watches

A pedometer measures the number of steps you take; some models also approximate the distance you've walked. The pedometer watch combines these functions with those of a sports watch, including chronograph, countdown timer and alarm, as well as functions of a digital watch such as time and date. There are many styles of pedometer watch available, with different functions. You have to turn on the step counter when you want to use it, although many watches also allow you to program them to automatically count steps at certain times of day. Some save data for a day or week. Some estimate speed and distance.

Things You'll Need

  • Pedometer watch
  • Walking shoes
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Check the number of steps you take in a mile. Go to a quarter-mile track and walk around it in the inside lane, counting your steps. Multiply the number of steps by 4. Left, right equals 2 steps. The average number is 2000 steps per mile (1240 per kilometer). You can use this to check the accuracy of the distance measured by your pedometer watch, using the number of steps it counts, and make adjustments in your records if necessary.

    • 2

      Read the instructions for your watch thoroughly. Set the time of day. Set the pedometer function for the time you want it to count steps automatically during the day. Turn it on at the beginning of a workout to calculate how many steps and how far you walk during that workout. You can switch it to pedometer function to view your progress during the day or during the workout.

    • 3

      At the end of the day, download your results to a computer if your pedometer watch has that feature, or record them in a notebook.

    • 4

      Reset your watch for the next day after you record and clear your results.

    • 5

      Set your goals for improvement, by steps or by distance or using both. Have a daily goal and a long-term goal. Be flexible in case you cannot work out on a given day.