Pedometer. How accurate is the cal burning function?

raymj61

I've been brisk walking (among many other things) since I've started dieting and until I got this pedometer, I was assuming I was burning approx 6 cals per minute. I bought a pedometer Sunday and it's showing me burning over 8 cals per minute.

It's not a big deal but, some of you guys have probably been doing this for a while and would know about this. I guess my question is, how accurate are these things? For information purposes, I did enter my stride length and weight, I do walk pretty fast, and it's one of those Sportline Pedometers with the big displays. In other words not the real cheap ones ($5) but not one of the expensive ones. I think it was 8 or 9 dollars.

missouri_rain

Nice job getting out there and moving.

I can't help you on the pedometer question, I use a HRM so I know exactly what your burning just my humble opinion

raymj61

Thanks m.r. and good luck to you

slimline1

I don't think it so important as to how many calories you are burning per minute as much as the fact you are actually taking part in a crucial exercise programme. Regular, rhythmic, brisk walking can lead to beneficial physiological changes in many of the body's processes such as lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol and improved cardiovascular and respiratory function, as well as a good fat buster The aim is to walk briskly at a speed of 3.5-4 miles per hour, 30 mins at this speed will burn 180 cals and double for an hour. Fast walking at 4.5 mph, will exacerbate this to 250/500 respectively.
I don't rely on scales or the pedometer, just use it as a guide.

cparter

I tried the pedometers and had it up against my gps for distance accuracy. It was a mile behind my gps regardless of what sensitivity I put it on.

I since went with the expensive (360 bones) garmin 405 model that has the HRM to ensure accuracy based on my heart rate.

You can get a HRM as low as 65 dollars.

Carlos

islandnutshel

pedometers are great but they can't tell the difference in steps. Uphill vs down hill. Or speed & heart rate. I wear mine even when on the treadmill and the calories are always different from the treadmill. It's not an exact science. BUT it does tell me how much time I spend not moving. I love my pedometer but don't use it for exact calculations. (I like Omron, for the computer program and graphs)

raymj61

Well thanks everyone this helps. I think I'll continue to use it as a general guide and timer. Best I can tell I probably walk at a pace of 4 mph so, I'll just continue to concentrate on distance and pace.