A pedometer is small, weighs about an ounce and comes in different color and models. This small health device can help you loose weight as well as at the same time can help you prevent diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease and also help you improve your general fitness. A pedometer is used to count your steps, this is by far the easiest way to improve your health condition.

There are variety of pedometer models available in the market. Some are flip-down and some are open face units. Basic pedometers count only steps but the advanced versions can count distance covered, time taken and calories burned, thereby help you keep track of your progress. Some of the more expensive pedometers will have radios built in them to prevent you from getting bored, some have lights, alarms etc. Some even have a feature for memory also.

Before choosing the right pedometer it is important to know what kind of program you would be following. The most popular walking program is the 10000 steps a day walking program. For this purpose you need to know your steps and this forms the basis of the calculations done by the pedometer.

If you are interested in knowing how much distance you have traveled then buy a pedometer with a distance calculating functionality. Before you start using such a pedometer you need to set your stride length, since all the calculations will be based on this. While walking or running make sure your step size is close to what you have entered else the distance measured will be inaccurate.