Pedometer Source

The Omron HJ-720itc pedometer, my new favorite.

Pedometer Guide — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 00:30:42 +0000

For a long time, my daily pedometer has been the Omron HJ-112, but it’s been replaced by the new Omron HJ-720itc pedometer. I never thought that I would replace my trusty HJ-112, because I liked it so much. It was quiet, accurate and had a seven day memory. Best of all, I didn’t have to clip it to my belt. Since it uses an accelerometer to count my steps, it can slip in my pocket where no one but me knows it’s there.

In a way though, I haven’t got rid of my HJ-112. That’s because the HJ-720itc is really an HJ-112 with some added features. I was always puzzled by the top of my 112. There was a cover you could pry off (I never could resist tinkering) that was shaped like the end of a USB cable. There was nothing I could see beneath it, but at first I assumed that Omron’s engineers had planned for future upgrades.

Then, I learned that in Japan, Omron sold a pedometer that synced with your computer via a USB port. They had a website that was in Japanese, but with page translation software, I got the gist of it. Needless to say, I was jealous. I briefly contemplated learning Japanese and flying to Japan to get one of these pedometers, but I decided that this was unrealistic. So, I settled in for a wait, figuring that eventually, Omron would release the pedometer here.

Now, the wait is over! You can pick up the HJ720 at Amazon.com.

It’s very easy to use. You simply install the Omron Health Management Software on your computer. It says it works with XP/200, but I have installed it on Vista Home Premium without any problems. You then connect your pedometer with the included USB cable and click the download data button.

The pedometer automatically downloads the data to the Health Management software. There, you can look at your data by day, week, month, year, or all time. It lets you see what times of the day or week you are more or less active. It also shows you your aerobic steps in orange, so you can see the periods when you were most active.

I haven’t seen it in any of my local sporting goods stores, but as I mentioned, Amazon has the HJ720 in stock at a good price. I highly recommend it.

Pedometer walking – Stanford University

Pedometer Guide — Sat, 08 May 2010 15:46:44 +0000

Researchers at Stanford University have finished a study on the benefits of pedometer walking. When you watch the video, can you identify the pedometer they show?

Done watching? That’s right, it’s the Omron HJ 720-itc Walking Style, my favorite pedometer.

Pedometer walking with Bob Greene

Pedometer Guide — Thu, 06 May 2010 13:43:01 +0000

Here’s a video from Bob Greene on pedometer walking. It’s short and too the point. I figured though that the fact that he is endorsing pedometers is a good thing.

Basic info on pedometer walking

Pedometer Guide — Wed, 05 May 2010 11:39:30 +0000

This video gives some good basic information on wearing a pedometer for walking. The coolest part is when they open up a pedometer. If you’ve ever wondered what’s inside a pedometer, but didn’t want to risk breaking yours, be sure to check out this video.

“Skipping” your way to more pedometer steps

Pedometer Guide — Tue, 04 May 2010 09:31:14 +0000

New Mexico State University produced this video on pedometers. It has a campy 1950s style to it reminiscent of an old educational film. Despite this, it still has a lot of great information on how to use a pedometer and walking.

How to Use a Pedometer – Walking your way to 10,000 steps

Pedometer Guide — Mon, 03 May 2010 07:27:40 +0000

This is a video from the Southern Nevada Health District. It goes over the use of pedometers to help you increase the amount you walk.

Pedometer Walking – Beyond 10,000 Steps

Pedometer Guide — Sun, 02 May 2010 03:27:31 +0000

Here’s a video on the pedometer walking that a group of police officers in Wales do every day. When I saw that one of the officers walks 12 miles a day, I felt put to shame. If your stride length was 2.5 feet, you’d be walking about 25,000 steps a day. Now that’s a goal to shoot for!

Pedometer Steps – How to calculate them

Pedometer Guide — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 02:09:14 +0000

Here’s a quick video that shows you a method to calculate the distance of your pedometer steps. This is useful if you have a pedometer that only counts steps and doesn’t count distance. It’s also helpful if you have a pedometer that calculates distance, because if you don’t accurately input your stride length at the beginning, you won’t get an accurate measurement.

New contender for best pedometer

Pedometer Guide — Sat, 10 May 2008 15:55:07 +0000

Last post, I mentioned a new idea for pedometers, tracking how close to your daily 10,000 steps (or whatever your step goal is) you are. There is a Sportline pedometer that does this. I’ve only seen it at one of my local big box retail stores and I can’t seem to find any info about it online.

Sportline calls the system “Goal Track”. What you do is enter your step goal for the day and then it continuously calculates what percentage of your goal you’ve walked. For example, if your goal was 10,000 steps, 2,500 steps would be 25%, 5,000 steps would be 50%, etc.

The funny thing is, I’ve gathered all of this information from the package itself. The Sportline website makes no mention of it and web searches have turned up nothing either. Another thing that’s funny, is that only one of the big retailers carries pedometers with this feature. The other retailer has the same old Sportline pedometers I’ve seen for years.

Still, I think it’s a great idea. Omron should take notice and incorporate this feature into it’s pedometers. This raises the question, would I switch? I can quickly answer that by saying no. I didn’t even buy the Sportline pedometers to test, because they use pendulum switches. I’m more than happy with my Omron HJ720 itc and it’s accelerometer and USB connection.

What I didn’t do today

Pedometer Guide — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 05:27:40 +0000

I meant to go by the store to look at those Sportline pedometers that tell you what percentage of your goal you’ved reached. I didn’t though… After work, it slipped my mind. I’m going to write myself a note though to go tomorrow.

I wonder if they are still using the pendulums in their pedometers. I still remember the click of the pendulum each time I took a step. That was how I knew it was working When I first got an HJ-112 and then an HJ-720itc pedometer, I would take them out of my pocket to see if they were working, because they are completely silent.