How does a pedometer help people reach their fitness goals?

Pedometers can help you reach your fitness goals in a few different ways. For starters, a pedometer can help you understand how much you’re already exercising on a day-to-day basis. “Many people are surprised to find out that they don't move as much as they thought,” Daniel Sullivan , C.P.T., a Dallas-based personal trainer , says. “Wearing a pedometer will help you become more aware of how you move throughout the day, and to work toward moving more.” Once you understand how much you’re already exercising, you can set goals to work out more—and you can use your pedometer to track your progress. “Holding yourself accountable is absolutely critical to your success,” Sullivan says. “Pedometers will not only help keep you on track, but they will also encourage you to build other healthy habits, like trying new workouts, as your fitness level increases.”

What does a pedometer measure?

In its most basic form, a pedometer measures the number of steps you take while wearing it. But often, you’ll find that even no-frills pedometers will measure distance walked and time spent walking, too. If you’re willing to invest in a higher-tech option, you can often track other forms of exercise (like cycling and swimming), as well as more advanced metrics (like heart rate, blood oxygen level, sleep quality, and more).

Can a pedometer be used for bike riding?

Basic pedometers are designed to track steps, so they may not be able to track your cycling workouts effectively. That said, there are plenty of fitness trackers out there that are capable of tracking both walking and cycling workouts in great detail. And if you’d prefer a biking-centric fitness tracker, you can always buy a bike computer .

How does a pedometer count steps?

Pedometers typically track steps by picking up on the way you move when you walk. Your hips may move up or down—or your body may sway from side to side. And many pedometers use these motions to determine how many steps you’ve taken.

The 9 Best Pedometers of 2021

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Walking is the most accessible form of exercise. There’s no gym fee, no commute to the gym, and no wait time to use popular equipment. But if you're wondering if you're doing enough to stay fit, pedometers can help you determine your daily steps and distance traveled. Many pedometers even measure sleep quality and length, calorie intake, and heart rate.

In addition to providing daily metrics, pedometers can motivate you to look at your overall health in a visual and engaging way. Tracking progress can be a compelling way to stay plugged into health and fitness goals while inspiring engagement in other activities.

"Choose something you want to put on first thing in the morning and keep on until you get ready for bed,” Jim Karas, Founder of Intelligent Fitness and Wellness, says. “Get all the data it provides without having to remember to put it on before exercise or other activity. I always recommend something effortless that you will use every day.”

Here are the best pedometers on the market.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Fitbit Inspire 2 Fitness Tracker at Amazon

Its sleek design, goal-setting capabilities, and medium price range make it a great everyday pedometer.

Best Splurge:

Fitbit Versa 2 at Amazon

It seamlessly connects to your other devices—like your smartphone and Alexa—something that many pedometers are unable to.

Best for Runs:

Garmin Vivosmart 4 Fitness Tracker at Amazon

Pushing your running to the next level, it lets you set timers for activity and connects to your phone to provide GPS tracking.

Best for Cycling:

CAT EYE Velo 7 at Amazon

It easily clips into the front of your bike and tracks your distance, speed, and elapsed time while you're cycling.

Best for Walks:

iGANK Simple Walking Pedometer at Amazon

An affordable addition to your workout equipment that tracks your steps, as long as it’s on your person.

Best for Hikes:

Polar Grit X Outdoor Watch at Amazon

The watch is designed to hold up to falls, humidity, and extreme temperatures.

Best with App:

Fitbit Charge 3 at Amazon

Use the accompanying app to store personal data, set new fitness goals, and connect with other FitBit users.

Best No-Frills:

Realalt 3DTriSport Walking 3D Pedometer at Amazon

Does everything you need it to do and nothing more—counts your steps, amount of calories burned, and distance walked.

Best Battery Life:

iTouch Wearables Slim Waterproof Fitness Activity Tracker at Walmart

The water-resistant pedometer wins when it comes to battery life, lasting up to 20 days on a single charge.

In This Article

Our Picks
What to Look For
What Experts Say
Why Trust Verywell Fit

Pros

Long-lasting battery
Water-resistant
24/7 heart rate tracking
Free year of Fitbit Premium
Available in multiple colors

Cons

No custom home screen
Font may be hard to read
May buzz frequently

FitBit’s Inspire 2 pedometer tracks your steps, heart rate, calories burned, active minutes, and sleep status, all while keeping you up to date on text and call notifications. You can also set silent alarms that buzz your wrist to wake you up—a great feature for those who want to avoid waking up a roommate or partner.

With a sleek design, goal-setting capabilities, and complimentary app access, this is an affordable pedometer that anyone can use, no matter how advanced or novice they are. The battery lasts for up to ten days and the device comes with a convenient charging cable.

The best part? You can use the pedometer to record a wide range of workouts, including walks, swimming, and bike rides.

Style: Wristband | Battery Life: Ten days | Water-Resistant: Yes (up to 164 feet) | Heart Rate Tracking: Yes | Bluetooth-Enabled: Yes

Pros

Long-lasting battery
Water-resistant
24/7 heart rate tracking
Alexa- and smartphone-compatible
Works with Spotify, Pandora, and Deezer

Cons

FitBit Premium sold separately
App needed to use Alexa
Must have Spotify Premium
Hard to connect to phone

FitBit’s Versa 2 is the Cadillac of pedometers. Along with tracking your steps and distance, heart rate, calories, active minutes, floors climbed, hourly activity, and sleep status, it seamlessly connects to your other devices—something that many pedometers are unable to do.

Not only can you connect it to your phone for call and text notifications, but you can also connect it to your Amazon Alexa to control your other smart home devices with the sound of your voice. Additionally, you can download Spotify or Pandora playlists directly to your watch to listen to on long walks. The battery lasts for up to six days.

Style: Smartwatch | Battery Life: Six days | Water-Resistant: Yes (up to 164 feet) | Heart Rate Tracking: Yes | Bluetooth-Enabled: Yes

Pros

Long-lasting battery
Water-resistant
Running-specific metrics
Location tracking for safety
Spotify-compatible

Cons

Hard to connect to phone
Heart rate monitor may not be accurate
Best for tracking running

Built with an ultra-slim design, Garmin’s Vivosmart 4 tracks your heart rate, steps, distance, and sleep status. It dives deeper into your sleep status with advanced monitoring of your REM cycle, gauging your blood oxygen levels by its wrist sensor.

The pedometer takes the same deep dive with your heart rate, assessing your daily stress level. It also allows you to set timers for your activity, pushing your running to the next level.

With a simple smartphone connection, the Vivosmart 4 provides vibration notifications for calls and texts, as well as GPS tracking to help you see your route. The battery lasts up to one week.

Style: Smartwatch | Battery Life: Seven days | Water-Resistant: Yes (up to 164 feet) | Heart Rate Tracking: Yes | Bluetooth-Enabled: Yes

Pros

Water-resistant
Long-lasting battery
Automatically detects stops
Simple and easy to use

Cons

Cycling use only
Water-resistant level unclear
Hard to install on mountain bikes
Data lost when battery is replaced

If you want the ability to track distance while cycling, CAT EYE’s Velo 7 Speedometer easily clips into the front of your bike—a majority of users find installation to take ten minutes or less.

The device tracks your distance, speed (current, average, and max), and elapsed time while sensing when you’re stopped at a light for complete accuracy. The battery lasts up to three years, so you can install the device without worrying about replacing it often.

Style: Bike computer | Battery Life: Three years | Water-Resistant: Yes (but no standard provided) | Heart Rate Tracking: No | Bluetooth-Enabled: No

Pros

Easy to wear design
Simple and user-friendly
Long-lasting battery

Cons

Accuracy depends on how you wear it
May do best on flat surfaces
May not be very durable

The iGank Simple Walking Pedometer is just that—an affordable addition to your workout equipment that tracks your steps, as long as it’s on your person. You can clip it onto your belt loop, throw it in a backpack, or simply carry the device and it will track how far you go.

The pedometer’s battery life lasts up to 12 months, and it can be reset each day (or each walk) when you press the button on the back of the device.

Style: Clip-on (carabiner) | Battery Life: One year | Water-Resistant: Not listed | Heart Rate Tracking: No | Bluetooth-Enabled: No

Pros

Long-lasting battery
Water-resistant
Durable
Uphill and downhill detection
Built-in GPS

Cons

Backlight not be very bright
GPS may not be very reliable
Heart rate monitor lacks accuracy

When hiking, some pedometers struggle to track steps when you're headed up or down a hill. Luckily, the Polar Grit X features ascent and descent detection which accurately understands how your speed and heart rate change as you tackle your hike.

Since the Polar Grit X is designed with the outdoors in mind, it's durable and can hold up to falls, humidity, and extreme temperatures. And since it’s water-resistant (up to 328 feet), you can even take it swimming.

Style: Smartwatch | Battery Life: Seven days | Water-Resistant: Yes (up to 328 feet) | Heart Rate Tracking: Yes | Bluetooth-Enabled: No

4.7

Pros

Long-lasting battery
Water-resistant
24/7 heart rate tracking
Smartphone-compatible

Cons

Hard to sift through data
Display not very user-friendly
Not as high-tech as some

Fitbit Charge 3 Fitness Tracker Review

The Fitbit Charge 3 provides everything (and more) that most people need including tracking steps, distance covered, heart rate, calories, and sleep status. Plus, it offers call and text alerts, Bluetooth capability, 15 different exercise modes, and it’s water-resistant.

Along with premium features and a full week of battery life, users gain access to FitBit’s app where all of their personal data can be found and compared to set new fitness goals. You can also use the app to connect with other FitBit users and gain personalized guidance that relates directly to your stats.

Style: Wristband | Battery Life: Seven days | Water-Resistant: Yes (up to 164 feet) | Heart Rate Tracking: Yes | Bluetooth-Enabled: Yes

What Our Testers Say

“The Fitbit Charge 3 tracks steps, exercise, heart rate, sleep, and more. The exercise watch has a sleeker design than past models, and it has done away with the side button and tap controls in lieu of an easier-to-use touchscreen. Paired with the Fitbit app, you’ll have a full view of your fitness progress.” — Joline Buscemi, Verywell writer and product tester

4.2

Pros

Easy to wear
Stores up to 30 days of records
Simple and user-friendly
Long-lasting battery

Cons

May be difficult to set up
Accuracy depends on how you wear it
May be larger than other options

Realalt 3DTriSport Walking 3D Pedometer Review

If you're looking for a basic step counter, the Realalt 3DTriSport is a great option. The device counts your steps, amount of calories burned, and distance walked. You can set daily goals too, and the large display makes everything easy to read.

The tracker comes with a lanyard, allowing you to comfortably wear it around your neck, clip it onto your waist, or place it in your pocket. It comes in multiple colors, so you can pick the one that best fits your style.

Style: Clip-on | Battery Life: One year | Water-Resistant: Not listed | Heart Rate Tracking: No | Bluetooth-Enabled: No

What Our Testers Say

"The Realalt 3DTriSport Walking 3D Pedometer is as simple as it gets without skimping on accuracy. Thanks to its 10-step error prevention feature, the device keeps random non-walking motions from being recorded—so no more shaking your wrist while watching Netflix on the couch to hit your daily step quota." — Ashley Mateo, Verywell writer and product tester

The iTouch Slim Fitness Tracker allows you to track your steps, stationary minutes, heart rate, calories, and sleep status on its thin, water-resistant model. Its Bluetooth capabilities connect to your phone to receive call and text notifications.

But the best part? The iTouch Slip Fitness Tracker’s rechargeable battery lasts up to 20 days on a single charge. Its sleek design is perfect for anyone looking for a stylish pedometer, and comes in a range of unique colors and designs.

Final Verdict

Fitbit’s Inspire 2 (view at Amazon) is a classic fitness tracker that will cover all your bases—and then some. The device effectively tracks steps and distance, so if all you need is an easy-to-read pedometer, it’s sure to fit the bill.

The tracker will also delight those looking for something extra since it tracks a range of workouts from bike rides to swims. With a long-lasting battery that will last for up to ten days at a time, you won't have to worry about constant charging.

What to Look for in a Pedometer

Accuracy

If you’re using a pedometer, you likely care about how your steps impact your life, meaning you want a product that can track your movement without fault. “Accuracy is one of the most important factors to consider when you’re choosing a pedometer,” says Christine Luff, certified running coach through Road Runners Club of America. “A high-quality, reliable pedometer may cost a little more, but it’s worth the investment to know that you’re getting reliable results.”

Style

Pedometers can be worn a few ways—in a lanyard around your neck, clipped onto your waistband, or on your wrist like a watch. The style that suits you best will depend on what you're planning on using your pedometer for and how often you plan to use it.

Luff notes that a wristband style is the most popular. “It won’t get in the way or distract you as you’re walking. It’s also easy to check your progress as you’re moving,” she says. The more convenient and accessible your pedometer, the more likely you’ll be to use it.

Battery Life

Most pedometers boast long-lasting batteries, which is good news for anyone who wants to cut down on recharge time or frequency. But remember, low-tech options tend to have longer-lasting batteries than high-tech options, so keep these tradeoffs in mind as you shop.

Special Features

Some pedometers only include the basics, such as tracking steps, activity time, and distance. But as you work your way to higher-tech options, you may find special features like all-day heart rate tracking and more. Luff explains that you can find water-resistant pedometers which are great for anyone who exercises outdoors or wants to track swim workouts.

Additionally, she says that heart-rate tracking is a neat feature for anyone that wants to measure the intensity of their workouts, but that it’s not necessary—especially if the price point is a major factor.

LETSCOM Fitness Tracker ID115Plus HR — Verywell Fit / Ashley Mateo

Frequently Asked Questions

How does a pedometer help people reach their fitness goals?

Pedometers can help you reach your fitness goals in a few different ways. For starters, a pedometer can help you understand how much you’re already exercising on a day-to-day basis. “Many people are surprised to find out that they don't move as much as they thought,” Daniel Sullivan, C.P.T., a Dallas-based personal trainer, says. “Wearing a pedometer will help you become more aware of how you move throughout the day, and to work toward moving more.”
Once you understand how much you’re already exercising, you can set goals to work out more—and you can use your pedometer to track your progress. “Holding yourself accountable is absolutely critical to your success,” Sullivan says. “Pedometers will not only help keep you on track, but they will also encourage you to build other healthy habits, like trying new workouts, as your fitness level increases.”
What does a pedometer measure?

In its most basic form, a pedometer measures the number of steps you take while wearing it. But often, you’ll find that even no-frills pedometers will measure distance walked and time spent walking, too.
If you’re willing to invest in a higher-tech option, you can often track other forms of exercise (like cycling and swimming), as well as more advanced metrics (like heart rate, blood oxygen level, sleep quality, and more).
Can a pedometer be used for bike riding?

Basic pedometers are designed to track steps, so they may not be able to track your cycling workouts effectively. That said, there are plenty of fitness trackers out there that are capable of tracking both walking and cycling workouts in great detail. And if you’d prefer a biking-centric fitness tracker, you can always buy a bike computer.
How does a pedometer count steps?

Pedometers typically track steps by picking up on the way you move when you walk. Your hips may move up or down—or your body may sway from side to side. And many pedometers use these motions to determine how many steps you’ve taken.

What Experts Say

“Using a pedometer is a huge first step toward achieving your health and fitness goals. It's an awesome accountability device to ensure your success. Try wearing your pedometer for a normal day's activities, then set a goal to increase your movement. Increasing your goal over time will lead to big results!” —Daniel Sullivan, C.P.T., a Dallas-based personal trainer

Why Trust Verywell Fit

As a former fitness coach, long-time wellness enthusiast, and current health editor, Lily Moe understands the importance of equipment that is made to help you reach your fitness goals. She also ran the New York City Marathon and relied on a Fitbit Inspire HR to track every step of her training. Most importantly, Lily always looks for research and first-hand reviews when it comes to deciding on a product.

Additional reporting to this story by Lindsey Landquist

As a seasoned health and fitness writer, Lindsey Lanquist understands how vital quality product recommendations can be. She is careful to recommend products that are reliable, comfortable, and genuinely well-reviewed by those who’ve tried them.

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The 9 Best Pedometers of 2021

Clock your steps with these handy gadgets

Best Overall: Fitbit Inspire 2 Fitness Tracker

Best Splurge: Fitbit Versa 2

Best for Runs: Garmin Vivosmart 4 Fitness Tracker

Best for Cycling: CAT EYE Velo 7

Best for Walks: iGANK Simple Walking Pedometer

Best for Hikes: Polar Grit X Outdoor Watch

Best with App: Fitbit Charge 3

What Our Testers Say

Best No-Frills: Realalt 3DTriSport Walking 3D Pedometer with Clip and Strap

What Our Testers Say

Best Battery Life: iTouch Wearables Slim Waterproof Fitness Activity Tracker