Runtastic Pedometer

daj150

I downloaded this app not too long ago and came across a lot of people who absolutely hate it, with one of the largest complaints being that it is incredibly inaccurate. I use the free version, so I have no idea about the calorie tracking, but I can say very few applications are good at that. Anyway, I wanted to note that this is an AWESOME app!! I am using it on the iPhone 5. I wanted to make this post because the reason I found for inaccurate steps counts are as follows...along with the solutions.

1. Go to the app's options and go to the section that shows your stride length. By default, it calculates this based on your height. However, this is too generic and does not work for many people.

SOLUTION: Measure your normal walking stride and update the app. Problem solved and insanely accurate.

2. Additional movements add too many steps. I laugh at this because ALL pedometers do this, unless you are using a GPS tracker for outdoor walking...good luck getting GPS to work in most office buildings and other indoor places. Therefore, here are some solutions to reduce the extra steps.

1. If you will be sitting for a long period of time, PAUSE the app
2. If you will not be sitting for a long time, but have to answer a phone, go into drawers, or make other similar motions, place the phone on the desk. This movement will typically add 5-10 steps unless you are spastically taking the phone out of a pocket and tossing it on the desk.
3. If you are going to place the phone in your pocket, do it in a FLUID motion that is not too fast. This will only add 3-5 steps.

If you are really concerned about an extra couple hundred steps in a given day, you have some other issues that need to be addressed. For example, for me to walk a short distance from my desk to the bathroom is 70 steps. I am pretty sure I burn almost 0 calories from this walk.

Hope this helps anyone using the app. I don't plan on buying the paid app since I use Runtastic Pro and Roadbike Pro for running and cycling. I just find it neat to track my steps during the day.