Benefits Of Using A Step Counter
Step counters have become increasingly popular over the past decade. These devices are great tools for increasing your overall fitness level and encouraging healthy habits. A step counter is typically worn on the wrist or a belt loop, depending on the brand and model, and measures the movement of the individual's body to calculate the number of steps they have taken. Many step counters also come equipped with the ability to measure heart rate, calories burned, and sleep patterns. While a step counter sounds very simple, it carries some big benefits. From increased exercise to potential weight loss, a step counter can motivate individuals to achieve their fitness goals.
Learn about the full details regarding the health benefits of using a step counter now.
Accountability To Exercise
A step counter can draw focus to an individual's movement habits and make them more aware of how much and how often they are up and active. Many step counters connect to smartphone apps or websites that track and display data to measure progress over time. Regular use of the step counter encourages individuals to keep walking until they attain or exceed their daily step goal. If an individual sees they are only getting seven thousand steps each day, they can make changes to increase their activity level to reach the recommended ten thousand steps.
Similarly, if an individual notices they are close to reaching their daily step goal, they may choose to walk around the block instead of sitting and watching television. Some step counters will even alert them when they haven't moved in a while to remind and encourage them to walk. Step counters have many unique features for increasing their awareness of and accountability to exercise.
Keep reading for more on the benefits of step counters now.
Assists With Weight Loss
An added benefit of increasing movement and exercising regularly is potential weight loss. A step counter assists with weight loss efforts by providing feedback on an individual's activity levels to keep them moving and burning calories. Additionally, many of the current step counters are equipped with functions that monitor heart rate, the number of calories burned, and the number of active minutes each day. These tools help individuals plan their steps and activities to maximize calories burned for weight loss. Some step counters are also equipped with trackers to evaluate sleep patterns, a known culprit that can impact weight goals. Many step counters also have dedicated apps or websites that allow individuals to input their food intake and weight loss progress in addition to tracking steps.
Reveal more of the health benefits of step counters now.
Makes Walking More Fun
While exercise is always work, a step counter makes it much more fun. Instead of a quick trip around the block, individuals can challenge themselves to find a route that nets them two thousand steps. If they walked a three thousand step route in twenty-five minutes yesterday, individuals can try to walk the same number of steps in less time today. Some step counters are equipped with additional features that can allow them to have even more fun. Their step counter may track overall distance walked, which can allow individuals to attempt to increase their mileage or decrease the time it takes them to accomplish a given route. If the step counter includes a heart rate monitor, individuals can push themselves to achieve and maintain a heart rate in the target zone. A step counter that tracks the number of active minutes can give individuals another way to challenge themselves and makes walking more fun and interesting.
Continue reading to discover more health benefits of step counters.
Tracking And Challenging
Perhaps the most fun feature of many step counters is the ability to track steps and compete in challenges. These competitions can be informal or formal and can be against others or not. When competing with oneself, individuals can set goals for their steps or number of active minutes each day. Some step counters are also equipped with a heart rate monitor, which allows them to further track their progress. There are also many ways to connect with other step counter users, from fitness apps to groups on social media. Many of these apps and groups will connect users across different brands of step counters, and let them compete against either friends or strangers. Some of the more advanced step counters allow individuals to connect with other users directly through their websites or apps and compete against one another to see who can take the most steps in a day or a week. Using the tracking and challenging features of step counters allows individuals to stay connected to others and helps keep individuals on track toward their goals.
Keep reading for more information on the benefits of step counters now.
Motivational Tool
Using a step counter on a daily basis can be a great motivational tool for increasing exercise and activity levels. Instead of simply completing a leisurely walk, a step counter can encourage individuals to move beyond their usual workout to accomplish more steps in less time. A step counter can motivate individuals to increase their walking speed or even to begin running. Additionally, step counters may track other metrics that encourage individuals to develop healthy habits. A sleep tracker can motivate individuals to go to bed and wake up at more consistent times, while a heart rate monitor can spark interest in keeping their heart rate in the target zone. A step counter can be an incredibly motivational tool that encourages individuals to practice healthier habits on a daily basis.