Pedometer and cardio

Loopylinda4949

I do 10,000 steps a day which that is what I need to achieve being "healthy". I searched on the internet and it stated for my height 5'8" and weight under 200 that 2000 steps are equal to 1 mile.
http://www.thewalkingsite.com/10000steps.html

Is this really considered cardio? Just wondering.

peachyfuzzle

Anything that gets your heartrate up from its resting level can be considered "cardio," but you're not going to get it up high enough to make any real difference if you're looking to do anything which would take any amount of endurance.

TeaBea

I use a FitBit to track day-in and day-out steps.....under activity level. Active is good, and that's not to say walking can't be cardio....but you have to push the intensity level.

When I walk for cardio the pace is much higher, I'm swinging my arms, I'm slightly out of breath.

Loopylinda4949

Thanks for your responses Peachyfuzzle and TeaBea.
I walk my dog at a fast pace, then do the treadmill each night from 30-45 minutes at between 25-27. So I am hoping to make a difference in my cardio work outs.

I am also looking for a heart rate monitor that also tracks steps, any ideas or comments. I got your FitBit, how do you like it, would you like to change or know anything from the FitBit that you don't have?

TeaBea

Loopylinda4949 wrote: »

Thanks for your responses Peachyfuzzle and TeaBea.
I walk my dog at a fast pace, then do the treadmill each night from 30-45 minutes at between 25-27. So I am hoping to make a difference in my cardio work outs.

I am also looking for a heart rate monitor that also tracks steps, any ideas or comments. I got your FitBit, how do you like it, would you like to change or know anything from the FitBit that you don't have?

I have a FitBit One that I wear everyday, and a Polar Heart Rate monitor which mostly stays in the box. Because my cardio is step based, the calories given for FitBit are close enough. They may be understated a tad...but I don't weigh food....so I need a little cushion anyway.

I like the FitBit in that it pushes me to be a little more active. I had always assumed that I wasn't terribly sedentary (wrong!). My FitBit is a reality check. I sync it to MFP so it can take calories away too.

My Polar mostly stays in the box because strength training can't really be estimated with it, and my cardio is basically covered. If I were a runner, or cyclist.....something with larger calorie burns it might be different.

Loopylinda4949

I found 2 of real interest, the Polar F4 and the Polar FT7 onlu $10,00 difference between the two, so am more inclined to spend it on the FT7. Any thoughts on those 2.

I wear a pedometer 7 days/week for the last 8 weeks and want a bit more information like am I reaching my target zone, what is my heart rate, tracking, etc..

phillipdean299

I use a Garmin chest strap heart rate monitor. It really is the best method for accurately determining calories burned. The optical heart rate sensors used in many fitness watches are not accurate if your heart rate is constantly changing during exercise.

Loopylinda4949

Thanks philipdean299 for your information, it is good. Congrats on your survival, I read your profile. I may have had a TIA and just going through 1 more test, but determined to get in better shape than I was in Feb 2015 when this happened.
Good luck to you and God bless.

ASKyle

I really love my Fitbit- You don't realize how little you move when you have a desk job.