The emergence of the 10 thousand steps theory predetermined the popularity of applications that help users count how many steps they have walked in a day. There have been numerous studies showing that people who walk 10,000 steps a day are healthier, have lower cholesterol levels and are less prone to heart disease. However, followers of the theory often miss the fact that walking slowly will not do anything for your health. You need a quick step that significantly increases your heart rate. That's why it's best to only take the meter into account when you're walking or jogging.
In general, software pedometers work no worse than smartwatches such as the Apple Watch or fitness trackers like the Mi Band. The measurement accuracy is close to 99%. If you have a treadmill, use it to test it out or just go for a walk with your smartphone in your pocket. Once you get home, compare the distance traveled using Google Maps. So, here are the best pedometers for Android, which seem to hint that it’s time to take a walk.
Step Counter Pedometer
Step Counter from Leap Fitness is a pretty nice pedometer with good functionality and an interface in Russian. Working with it begins with setting a task for the day. Then you can see reports on the average number of steps taken per day, the total number for different periods of time, and the number of calories burned.
For calculations, not GPS data is used, but smartphone sensors. This means that the phone will sit down more slowly. Step Counter also has a function that reminds you to drink a glass of water to replenish your body's daily fluid intake. The application is free, but it displays advertising, which can be turned off for 180 rubles.
How a pedometer works on phones
To read data, pedometers use information obtained via GPS or accelerometer . In the first case, the number of steps taken will not be accurate, but the mileage will show the most realistic numbers.
An accelerometer is found in all modern smartphones. You can check this as follows: if your phone has an auto-rotate screen , then the accelerometer is also present. When walking, this sensor will read changes in the device in space, and based on this information, compile step statistics.
It is better to install a “pedometer” program, in which data is collected simultaneously using GPS and accelerometer , so the statistics will be the most accurate.
Now let's move on to choosing the best application for analyzing fitness activity.
Google Fit
Google Fit is Google's answer to Apple Health. Google Fit not only works as a “hub” that receives information from various fitness apps, but also collects its own data. Just install the application and log in using your Google profile. After this, the pedometer function will start automatically.
There is also a calorie counter and a Move Minutes metric. The latter shows all the time you are active throughout the day. Depending on its readings, Google Fit gives you Heart Points (points are earned by any activity that increases your heart rate). Google actively collaborated with the American Heart Association to develop the latest metric. The interface has been translated into Russian.
In Move Minutes, minutes only count when you walk more than 30 steps per minute. That is, normal movements around the house will not be taken into account. Likewise, Heart Points are earned when you walk or run. All this is done by Google Fit - one of the best pedometers for Android. Other features include journaling and goal setting for Move Minutes.
Noom
Download Accupedo pedometer
Accupedo is a pedometer program for Android with a variety of functions, the purpose of which is to monitor the user's activity. From the data provided by this tool, you can find out: how many calories you managed to burn, what your achievements were over a certain period, how many kilometers and steps you managed to walk. The user can set the desired goal and specify the time for its implementation.
The application will track the user's path to a given vertex and provide information about its success. The application is distributed on a free basis, handling it should not cause difficulties for novice users.
The owner of the smartphone only needs to set the time period during which the program needs to count. The application is activated independently, while the smartphone can be in a bag or pocket.
pros:
- careful handling of battery charge;
- self-activation;
- does not require payment;
- has a variety of possibilities.
Minuses:
- G-sensor is required for operation;
- has increased sensitivity, can count steps even in transport.
Moves
You can get a pedometer for Android for free by installing an application called Moves on your smartphone. This tool interacts with GPS and accelerometer. The application itself can understand what you are currently doing - running or walking. Based on this information, the program calculates the calories burned.
In addition, the application shows results for mileage and steps taken, taking into account the user’s complete route and the breaks he made along the way. Using this application, the owner of a smartphone can monitor his progress in progress, set goals that he still has to strive for, and send his results to friends. The program is activated manually.
pros:
- provides route information;
- interacts with GPS;
- does not require financial expenses;
- the user has the opportunity to share achievements.
Minuses:
- a fairly energy-demanding instrument;
- Only those phones that have the ability to run the accelerometer in the background are suitable for working with the application;
- If used indoors, the program may provide erroneous data.
Mi fit
Download Mi fit
If you are looking for the best pedometer for Android, pay attention to the Mi fit application, developed for Xiaomi and the fitness products of this company. The tool monitors the operation of branded devices via a mobile phone. If you own Xiaomi fitness products, Mi fit will allow you to synchronize various achievements.
At the same time, the program perfectly monitors the user’s physical activity, even if he does not have a branded fitness bracelet. Mi fit has an impressive list of features.
The tool can even monitor the user's sleep and physical activity while awake, not limited solely to time counts, steps and calories. If you carefully monitor your health, or have decided to go on a diet, this application may be useful to you.
pros:
- great functional diversity;
- high accuracy of calculations;
- saving battery resources;
- the user can exchange results in a special worldwide chat.
Minuses:
- synchronization can take a long time;
- The interface is not 100% Russified.
Endomondo
Download Endomondo pedometer
People who are looking for the best pedometer for Android should also pay attention to an application called Endomondo. This tool is not enough to track achievements; it stimulates the user to progress. Each person who installs the program is invited to enter into some kind of competition with colleagues.
In addition, you can set one of the goals and achieve it: remove kilometers, cover a certain number of steps, get rid of extra calories. In addition to the familiar parameters, this program also provides data on steps per minute and speed.
Since the tool interacts with GPS, it can track the route and also allows you to set it in advance. Endomondo is not limited to walking, it is suitable for skating, cycling and running.
pros:
- in the fresh air, counting is carried out with special care;
- offers to use one of the training programs;
- can be used in various sports;
- It is easy to use and has an impressive range of functions.
Flaws:
- not all features of the application can be obtained for free;
- demanding on battery resources.
Runtastic Pedometer
Download pedometer Runtastic Pedometer
Runtastic Pedometer is a pedometer app for Android created by an Austrian company called Runtastic, which was later acquired by Adidas. To operate, the tool analyzes information received from the GPS module. Most of the application's features are available to the user in the free version.
However, you will have to pay for additional functions, including voice guidance and fitness training. More than ten million people have already downloaded the program on the Play Market. When you download and install the program, it will prompt you to create your own account.
This process can be simplified by logging in through Facebook. Although the application does not have too many free functions, it does not require money to count calories burned and distance traveled.
pros:
- voice accompaniment;
- training programs;
- free version.
Minuses:
- paid version;
- need for GPS.
Pedometer
Download Pedometer
If you are looking for a pedometer for Android in Russian, you can install a program called “Pedometer”. This application will allow the user to keep himself in good shape, without having to buy a subscription to a fitness club or select a special sports device.
“Pedometer” allows you to find out how much distance you managed to cover during the day, as well as clarify the number of calories burned. Both beginners and professional athletes can monitor their body’s performance.
When the application is installed, the user will have to select one of the proposed modes. The battery charge can be consumed more slowly, but then the data will be approximate. It is important for the user to decide what is more important to him.
pros:
- Russian language;
- Calorie counting;
- High data accuracy.
Minuses:
- Accurate counting is very demanding on the battery.
Download
A pedometer is a program that helps keep a person in good shape without the cost of purchasing sports devices or a membership to a fitness club. People prefer to use Pedometer to find out how many kilometers they have walked in a day and how many calories they have lost. Monitoring these indicators is important for both professional athletes and beginners.
Fitbit
Did you know that the Fitbit app for the smart bracelet of the same name can be used without it? If you enable the MobileTrack function, it will work perfectly with just your phone.
What's so special about Fitbit? Firstly, it has a very nice interface. Secondly, it has very rich functionality. You can, for example, take part in numerous competitions or keep a workout record and food diary. You can also turn on the “Adventure” mode, where your walks will be compared with the length of certain routes. For example, with a hike in Yosemite National Park.
Accupedo
The special feature of Accupedo Pedometer is its widget, which always shows the number of steps taken. The widget can also be customized to show distance traveled, minutes spent, calories and other information. The countdown starts automatically after you take ten steps. So trips from the room to the bathroom or kitchen will not be counted. When the counting starts, you will receive a notification.
Runtastic Steps
Runtastic offers a range of apps focused on health and fitness. There are separate options for counting steps, keeping statistics for jogging, cycling and sleep cycles. All Runtastic apps communicate with each other and are compatible with Google Fit.
Runtastic Steps will count active minutes spent walking, the number of steps, and calories burned. There is a setting for daily goals. The cost of Runtastic Premium starts from 180 rubles per month. The free version is good enough, but it's better to invest in premium. The paid version will open up many new features, such as determining routes, diet planning, keeping a food diary and much more.
Which models have step counting?
Many users are wondering if Xiaomi has a pedometer. The answer is yes. On smartphones from this company, you can activate and configure the pedometer, but you will still need to download and install the special Mi Health (read about this in the next paragraph).
The only requirement is to update to MIUI 11. It was in this version that a pedometer appeared on Xiaomi phones. The step counting tool is not available on older mobile devices running Miyuai 10 or lower.
Pedometer
Pedometer includes a standard set of pedometers: a counter for calories burned, time spent walking, and average walking speed. Pedometer also displays information in the form of visual graphs, taking into account your gender and weight, and can give useful recommendations for burning calories. Unlike other apps, Pedometer will only start counting steps when you start the countdown yourself. If you want to use a pedometer not only while walking, but throughout the day, then it is better to choose some other application.
Pedometer puts a very low load on the smartphone's battery and offers a choice of several themes for interface design. For greater savings, you can set the start and end times of the program in advance. If necessary, you can adjust the sensitivity of the sensors to calibrate the distance calculation when you ride a bike or car.
Pedometer apps for Android
A huge number of free programs for movement analysis have been released on the Android platform. They all cope with the task, but differ in functionality and way of working. Therefore, you need to choose from the top applications taking into account your personal wishes.
Mi Fit
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Mi Fit
Developer: Anhui Huami Information Technology Co.,Ltd.
Price: Free
Using a Xiaomi pedometer will allow you to accurately track the distance traveled with the number of steps. Mi Fit automatically connects to the accelerometer built into the device and begins to analyze your activity, providing access to different types of workouts. And he can improve the accuracy of information with the help of Xiaomi gadgets. For example, independently upload information from smart scales or a bracelet to control weight and sleep quality.
Advantages:
- several training modes;
- tracking weight changes with other indicators.
Mi Fit comes for Android free of charge without limiting the set of functions. It can be connected to professional devices, including blood pressure monitors.
Adidas Running
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Fitness tracker for running adidas Running
Developer: Adidas Runtastic
Price: Free
One of the best trackers on Android devices for tracking movements has replaced the previously popular Runtastic Pedometer. It helps to accurately calculate the distance traveled and gives the user a choice of several training modes, including walking, running, cycling. For analysis, adidas Running uses GPS with other built-in sensors.
Advantages:
- the ability to choose the type of physical activity;
- detailed statistics with progress towards achieving goals.
adidas Running is optimized to work with smartwatches and can sync with other popular programs. This allows you to obtain more accurate information.
Samsung Health
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Samsung Health
Developer: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Price: Free
Samsung's proprietary mobile phone application has gained popularity even on devices from other manufacturers. It counts steps using a built-in accelerometer and can record a variety of workouts, including strength training. Samsung Health has many useful features built into it. It helps monitor your sleep patterns, heart rate, nutrition, stress levels, blood pressure, and even your menstrual cycle. Some functions are available only when synchronized with smart bracelets or other special gadgets.
Advantages:
- wide functionality for health monitoring;
- ability to connect to professional pedometers and other devices.
With the Samsung app, the gadget tracks many health parameters automatically. This makes it much easier to use.
Pacer Pedometer
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Pedometer - step and calorie counter for health
Developer: Pacer Health
Price: Free
The tracker from Pacer Health is simple. It has no unnecessary functions and allows you to accurately measure distances traveled with calories burned. Pedometer can sync with MyFitnessPal for easy tracking of weight changes and calorie consumption. It works using the built-in motion sensor, without loading the system with GPS turned on.
Advantages:
- detailed statistics for past periods;
- Sync with MyFitnessPal for weight management.
Pacer Pedometer allows you to adjust the sensitivity of the accelerometer. If the measurements do not seem accurate enough, just adjust it.
You may also be interested in: The best apps for reminding you to drink water on Android Diary apps for Android: TOP 8 best
5. Pedometer – Free Step Counter App & Step Tracker
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Pedometer: Healthy Habits Tracker, Workout Plan
Developer: ITO Technologies, Inc.
Price: Free
The popular Android tracker is perfect for tracking steps and analyzing movements. It uses a built-in sensor and does not require a GPS connection. Therefore, there will be no unnecessary battery consumption when walking. The program is convenient as a pedometer, a calorie burn counter, and a healthy lifestyle diary.
Advantages:
- accurate measurements with activity statistics;
- setting measurement sensitivity.
The application records not only movements, but also distance and speed. Therefore, it can even be used for fitness training.
Step Counter – Pedometer Free & Calorie Counter
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Pedometer - Step counter & calorie counter
Developer: Leap Fitness Group
Price: Free
A free walk tracker for Android mobile devices for daily activity tracking. During operation, the accelerometer is used without analyzing GPS data in order to save battery power and obtain more accurate information. Also available functions include water consumption control.
Advantages:
- detailed statistics on movement with a calorie counter;
- tracking changes in weight.
Step Counter has a nice design with an intuitive interface for maximum ease of use. And for additional motivation there are virtual achievements with rewards.
Pedometer – Step Counter Free & Calorie Burner
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Pedometer - free step and calorie counter
Developer: Simple Design Ltd.
Price: Free
The tracker allows you to track the number of steps taken, distance traveled and calories burned per day. Physical activity can be recorded as a workout. The measurement results in the application are highly accurate. If it decreases, you can adjust the sensitivity manually.
Advantages:
- visual statistics for comparing activity by day;
- ability to customize appearance.
The app helps you stay motivated. If you reach your movement goal several days in a row, missing it will break the streak and worsen your statistics.
Google Fit
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Google Fit: Activity Tracker
Developer: Google LLC
Price: Free
The application allows you to take advantage of all Android functions to monitor your health. Google Fit accurately analyzes user activity and records the information received in statistics. The advanced pedometer accurately counts the number of steps per day and determines the calories burned. Also, using Google Fit, you can monitor your sleep quality, monitor the introduction of new healthy habits, and analyze your progress in fitness classes.
Advantages:
- a large number of useful functions;
- Convenient tracking of activity and calories burned.
Google Fit can also synchronize with smart watches and professional health monitoring devices. They can make the built-in pedometer even more useful.
Step Tracker – Pedometer Free & Calorie Tracker
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Pedometer: Free step and calorie counter
Developer: Leap Fitness Group
Price: Free
The tracker helps you increase your activity and regularly track your progress. It has almost no impact on the battery as it records steps via the accelerometer. GPS is only required when starting a full workout to measure distance on long walks or runs. Step Tracker also helps you track your sleep quality, nutrition, and weight changes.
Advantages:
- high accuracy of activity measurements;
- additional functions for health monitoring.
Step Tracker should be able to synchronize with other applications and fitness bracelets. This will happen in the near future.
GStep: Pedometer, Step Counter, Running Tracker
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GStep: Pedometer for Walking, Running for Weight Loss
Developer: GStep: Green Health Care
Price: Free
The popular activity tracking app on Android phones supports several types of movement: walking, running, cycling. The accuracy of the calculations is very high, since an accelerometer is used for analysis. The speed of movement and the number of meters traveled are determined by GPS, and the calories burned are calculated by software.
Advantages:
- suitable for any type of activity;
- There is a tracker for monitoring the liquid you drink.
GStep regularly reminds the user to move. Therefore, it can become additional motivation.
Accupedo Pedometer – Step Counter
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pedometer – Accupedo
Developer: Corusen LLC
Price: Free
With the Accupedo Pedometer you can assess your level of physical activity. It accurately records all movements through the accelerometer. The distance traveled is tracked using GPS. Advanced history helps you analyze past days or individual workouts to evaluate your progress.
Advantages:
- convenient statistics with detailed history;
- desktop widgets.
Accupedo accurately counts steps and immediately calculates calories burned. Therefore, it will be a good addition to power monitoring applications. The sensitivity of the sensors can be adjusted for a specific smartphone.
Pacer App
Pacer App is an application from the Pacer Health developer company, which is not just a step counter, but a multifunctional weight loss assistant. When you first start, you will need to indicate your age, gender and weight. After that, to motivate yourself, you can set your own goals or use ready-made templates from the developer. Along with statistics, you can view your personal trends in weight, steps, and calories to get a better idea of how quickly you're moving towards your goal.
Premium members can connect their Fitbit and Garmin to the Pacer. Once connected, your daily steps, distance, and other activity data will automatically sync from your Fitbit or Garmin to your Pacer account.
MyFitnessPal
MyFitnessPal is a very popular all-in-one health and fitness app. The app has a large community of users who regularly share tips with other members. It's also compatible with a wide range of third-party services, including many listed in this review, so you can easily import data from them into MyFitnessPal.
In addition to tracking distance traveled, MyFitnessPal includes one of the largest nutrition libraries with detailed ingredient breakdowns. After all, it’s not enough to just take 10,000 steps. You also need to eat right, getting the required amount of macronutrients. Use the built-in barcode scanner to find out the vitamins and macronutrients in the foods you typically buy.
Terms of use
To get started, click the “Start” button. After launch, a movement diagram for a certain day, week or month will appear on the screen (you can choose the period yourself). Using the data presented in certain sections, you can find out the number of steps taken, calories burned, distance in meters/miles, time spent or speed.
If possible, specify personal data in the settings (age, gender, weight, step width) so that the Pedometer for Android can show accurate results. If you want to save battery power, you can turn on sleep mode at night. Built-in alarm function.
Samsung Health
If you have a Galaxy Watch, then you've probably already used Samsung's S-Health app. But even if you don't have a Galaxy Watch or Samsung smartphone, S-Health is still a great fitness app with a built-in pedometer feature. As with most other similar programs, immediately after installation you will be asked to enter your weight, gender, height and other data.
As soon as you specify them, the application will automatically start counting steps. By default, you will have a goal of 10,000 steps, however, you can set any other value. The application also calculates the total distance traveled per day and the number of calories burned, calculates the time spent sleeping, water consumption, food consumption and much more. Although S-Health is pre-installed on most Samsung smartphones, it can be downloaded by any Android user from the Play Store, and for free.
How accurate is the calculation?
The number will fairly accurately reflect the true number of steps - provided you turn the count on and off in time. So, if you start the application immediately before a run and turn it off immediately after, the error will be small.
But if, after launching the application, you talk on the phone or decide to play games on it, the indicator will most likely be overestimated. Clearly, this begs the question: can such an application record all the steps a person takes in a day?
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- Smart technologies: useful gadgets for fitness
No. Just provide a general picture, not an exact number. By picking up the phone, putting it down, touching it with your finger, or simply looking at pictures, you risk inflating the final figure. You need a gadget for sports, then read the article: Smart technologies: useful gadgets for fitness.
Zombies, Run!
What better way to motivate yourself to burn calories than by convincing yourself that your life depends on it? Zombies, Run! Already downloaded by more than a million users. Just plug in your headphones and follow the instructions (in English) as you run around and complete various missions in a post-apocalyptic world overrun with the living dead.
This is great motivation for those who want to make running more fun. As soon as you stop, you will immediately feel the dead breath behind you and hear the screams of zombies. Be careful because the presence is quite strong. Zombies will chase you depending on the set speed mode. The Pro version includes over 300 different missions that become available as you complete previous levels.
Argus
Argus is a feature-rich health and fitness tracker. Walking alone will not guarantee good health. They give effect only in combination with other actions. Argus does an excellent job of not only counting steps, but can do much more. For example, it tracks your overall activity, counts calories and monitors sleep cycles.
There's a built-in exercise guide and even a barcode scanner to help you track your calorie intake. There is also its own social network with millions of active users with whom you can consult or just chat. The program is free, however, for advanced functionality, including, for example, exercises for home, you will have to pay $3 per year.
ViewRanger
Not so much a pedometer as a useful app for tourists. ViewRanger knows hundreds of thousands of tourist routes around the world, each of which is rated by millions of service users. Headed outside for a run but can't figure out a route? Launch ViewRanger by specifying the desired route length and difficulty. After this, the service will select suitable options.
This program is an excellent guide. When used with Augmented Reality, it will give useful tips on where to go next. An excellent option for those who are not so much obsessed with counting every step, but want to enjoy nature and fresh air more. The application supports Android Wear. GPS data is used to maintain movement statistics.
Pedometer sensitivity is low
Modern smart watches are distinguished by functionality, reliability, and data reliability. But sometimes such gadgets may have low sensitivity of pedometers, so it is advisable to abandon them and choose a more suitable model. If the pedometer is not reliable enough, then the smartwatch will not be that useful. A pedometer is one of the main functions that is important for active people.
When choosing a smart watch for subsequent use, it is advisable to focus on the sensitivity of the pedometer and the reliability of its data.
As you can guess from the name, such an application will count the number of steps you take while walking, running or step aerobics.
In this blog, I'll walk you through how it all works and also give you a quick overview of several apps for Android phones and iPhones.
