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Is your pedometer accurate? Experts explain why your step-counter may be misleading
According to personal trainers and fitness experts, iPhone step counter apps are actually misleading the public in their bid to get fit.
The experts claim that when it comes to fitness apps, counting your steps with a device can be counterproductive to your fitness goals for a whole host of reasons.
So why are personal trainers wary of the devices?
Global fitness entrepreneur and celebrity trainer Matt Fiddes, Keith McNiven, personal trainer at Right Path Fitness and fitness expert Patrick Honour from www.fithire.com, one of the largest UK fitness equipment hire companies, gave their view.
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Pedometer apps on iPhone and other smartphones may not be helping people to keep track of steps
Is your pedometer accurate? Experts explain why your step-counter may be misleading
Keeping your phone in your bag makes step counters inaccurate
“Having the iPhone in your bag or rucksack while out walking could result in missed steps by cushioning the movement,” Keith McNiven explained.
This would lead to the readings being lower than they actually are, putting exercisers off because they feel their goals are unrealistic or not possible to achieve as part of their daily routine.
Keith said: “For this reason, we always advise clients to keep the phone in their pocket.
“Also, the phone battery should be kept charged, so there aren’t periods of time when steps aren’t being counted.”
Patrick Honour agreed: “An iPhone cushioned in a bag or rucksack, for example, is likely to give a false reading, as is one subjected to excessive shaking or vibration.”
Steps are counted in bunches
As well as the fact that phones in bags mean steps might be missed, the way that iPhones count steps could also lead to inaccurate readings.
“iPhones are known to count steps in bunches rather than count every single step so it’s more of an estimation,” Fitness Entrepreneur Matt Fiddes said.
Reviews are inconsistent
“Anyone relying on customer reviews to gauge the accuracy of iPhone step counter apps is likely to stay confused,” Patrick Honour said.
“With user comments ranging from ‘surprisingly accurate’ to ‘way out’ (in terms of steps taken/distance covered), how are we to sift something useful from the mass of conflicting information?”
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Step counter app – Fitness entrepreneur Matt Fiddes said how iPhones count steps could be innacurate
Steps don’t tick the “exercise box”
Matt Fiddes explained, even though step counter apps are a good way for women to be conscious of their fitness, they leave a false impression that you’ve actually done exercise.
“For that reason I find them counter productive,” he said.
“Walking has many health benefits but you should not use step counting as a basis for ticking that ‘exercise box’,” he said.
“Cardio-vasculor exercise is key to a healthy lifestyle, whether it is a combination of taking a class, running, swimming or weight training.”
Calories burned can be misleading
While step counters measure how many steps you have taken or the distance covered, speed is not a factor.
Matt claims that a leisurely stroll just does not have the weight loss potential that a run does.
“Your heart beat needs to reach a certain point for exercise to have a positive impact on the body,” Matt said.
“This is why how many calories burnt is also misleading, when it comes to step counter apps.”
Matt explained, unless your diet is in order to maintain a healthy weight then these tools are un-productive.
“If app step counters were credible then doctors would be endorsing or prescribing them,” he said.
So what is the best way to use a pedometer?
Despite claims that step counters can be inaccurate when counting the number of steps you have taken, you can still use them to measure the amount of work you are doing.
It sounds complicated – but Patrick Honour explained: “Not everyone is concerned with exactly ‘how far?’ or how many steps they have taken.
Many merely want to know whether they are working as hard or harder today than yesterday.”
He added: “In this instance, iPhone step counters can prove a useful tool, provided certain pit-falls are avoided.
KEVIN MCNIVEN
Keith McNiven (far right) explained keeping your phone in your bag throws readings off
The devises may not measure steps taken accurately but they are consistent in their measurements.
How can you make sure your reading is consistent?
Patrick says: “Wear it/use it in the same way each time and your iPhone should give you a good indication of comparative workload, even if the numbers are not absolutely accurate.”
Used carefully in this way personal trainers claimed the step counter could be helpful.
Keith McNiven added: The iPhone step tracker can be a great way to motivate people to be more active.
“Overall, the iPhone step tracker to be consistent in its performance, information which can be used to increase activity levels over a period of time.”
Fitness Entrepreneur Matt Fiddes can be found at www.mattfiddess.com. Keith McNiven, Personal Trainer can be found at www.rightpathfitness.co.uk. Express.co.uk have contacted Apple for comment.
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