Top Pedometers
Pedometers are great motivators for walking. A recent medical study showed that women given an exercise goal and a pedometer walked a mile more a day than those just given an exercise goal. An investment of $20 to $30 in a pedometer can go far to keep you faithful to your walking program. Researchers think that an extra mile or 2,000 steps a day can keep weight off or help in a weight reduction program.

What should you look for in a pedometer? The simplest pedometers only count steps, which makes them easy to use as they have only a step display and a reset button. Set your goal, let it count, it’s a no-brainer. But many pedometers will take your step count, your average step length, and your weight to calculate distance and calories burned. Many also have a clock, exercise time, stopwatch, even an alarm.

It is a good investment to get a pedometer that has a little leash as an extra clip to retain your pedometer so it won’t pop off and get lost or drop into the toilet.

Yamax® Digi-Walker™ SW-200 Pedometer
Researchers rated this the most accurate pedometer for counting total daily steps and for counting steps on a treadmill. It is only a step counter. You can get the same accuracy in other Digi-Walker models, including the 701 which also estimates distance and calories burned.

Omron HJ-112 Pedometer
Also rated tops for accuracy, the Omron HJ-112 has an advanced design that is more tolerant of being carried at an angle. Most pedometers are inaccurate unless they can hang straight up and down, but the Omron can be clipped to a pocket or bra and still be accurate. It counts steps, calculates distance, and calories burned. It has a seven-day memory so you don’t have to reset it every day.

Walk4Life 2525 Pedometer
Researchers found this model to be highly accurate counting steps during dedicated walking time. It has a big, easy-to-read display. It counts steps and calculates distance and exercise time. In addition, it comes with the pedometer retention strap and a 52-week walking log book.

Sportline Fitness Pedometer 360
Sportline has many pedometer models and can be found at many sporting goods retailers. The 360 is loaded with features yet it is small, quiet, and accurate. The dual-line display shows distance and the other data — steps, calories, speed, steps-per-minute, time of day. It times your workout and can display the total for the past seven days.

What to look for in a pedometer:
Clip and Leash:
You don’t want to lose your pedometer. A broken clip or one that doesn’t hold tightly is a problem. It is wise to buy a pedometer leash, a short cord with an alligator clip, to fix the pedometer to your waistband as extra security. You can make your own with a cord and a safety pin or spare alligator clip.
Readability: Because you will be checking your pedometer on the go, at waist level, make sure the display is easy for you to read at that distance.
Noise: Pedometers vary between those which silently count and those that make a noticeable click with each step. Choose one that won’t annoy or embarrass you.
Accidental Reset Protection: The reset button needs to be protected so you don’t lose any steps. Many models have a flip-open cover to protect the buttons. Others require pressing the reset for two to three seconds before it is activated.
Size and Comfort: Many pedometers are tiny and thin enough to wear with any clothing. Choose a model you can wear comfortably all day.

— Wendy Bumgardner
www.walking.about.com

Portland, OR— The Interstate Farmers Market opened in May to stormy weather, large crowds, live music, and a visit by Eric Schlosser, author of Fast Food Nation. The book describes the rise of fast food chains, focusing on McDonald’s, and how our nation’s eating habits have changed for the worse — in little more than half a century.

Schlosser, who classifies himself as a “slow walker who prefers hiking” supports farmers markets as a way to combat the nation’s obesity epidemic and to encourage more healthful eating.

Open Wednesdays, 3pm-7pm, May through September, the market is chock full of vendors selling fruits and vegetables, granola snacks, goat cheese, hand-brewed soda, and a variety of organic and healthy foods.

Hosted by Kaiser Permanente, and supported by numerous city agencies and nonprofits, the market is located west of Kaiser’s Interstate Medical Office campus. Limited parking is available, but Kaiser and Walk About encourage people to walk, bicycle, or take the MAX Yellow Line to Overlook Park Station.

— Susan Rich

For those who like to take their music or binoculars on their hike or walk, the “Spree” carefully secures CD, MP3 players, binoculars, food bars and more in the foam pocket. The headset exit port eliminates any tangles. The bungee is great to attach extra clothing.

The bottle comes with the new Kicker Valve. Unlike other valves, the Kicker Valve offers a leak-proof and maintenance-free valve that’s soft and pliable for drinking comfort with the biggest and most powerful flow. The pack weighs only 10 oz and is extremely comfortable to wear.