If you’ve been lucky to use both a fitness tracker and pedometer, you should be able to tell the difference. But for those that have used one of the two or neither, you might struggle to figure out the differences.

In this post, we have highlighted the major difference between the two devices in order to help you know the ideal one for your fitness need.

A. Differences in Function

One of the major differences between fitness trackers and pedometers is the functionality.

A pedometer is primarily used to track the steps of an individual and it performs this function by detecting the motion of the person’s hands or hips.

The device is a great tool for individuals to monitor their fitness levels and reduce risk of heart disease and stroke.

Generally, when it comes to the number of steps taken daily, the popular belief is 10,000 is the ideal number. But you don’t necessarily have a sedentary lifestyle if you’re doing below that. However, if you’re taking less than 5,000 steps each day then your lifestyle is certainly sedentary.

The ability to measure the number of steps taken each day makes the pedometer an excellent device for those trying to avoid a sedentary lifestyle and remain physical active.

On the other hand, a fitness tracker is a device that provides a range of functions.

For instance, a fitness tracker can tell when you’re awake and when you’re asleep however, there have been reports that fitness trackers may overestimate your sleep time which may cause you to think that you are not getting enough sleep.

Also, fitness trackers can perform other task like counting calories and keeping track of how many days you exercised each week.

Additionally, the device can be synchronized with other programs such as My Fitness Pal using your phone. You can connect to a community of fitness-minded people, log your water intake, and chart how much weight you have lost (or gained).

The fitness app on your phone can display your progress using colourful diagrams or badges which oftenpop up to congratulate you on specific goals.

Also, you will receive notifications that remind you that you have just a few more steps to go.

If you want to keep your fitness tracker and all the information it stores up to date, you will have to charge it frequently and sync it to your phone or computer.

Another function of fitness tracker is tracking heart rate. It does this using something called photoplethysmography to detect your heart rate. However, it has been reported that this technology may not be accurate especially during exercise because the motion of your wrist and the amount you sweat can affect the accuracy of this heart rate monitor.

B. Differences in Price

Generally, pedometers cost considerably less than fitness tracker. You can purchase a pedometer for as low as $15 while the cheapest fitness tracker cost at least $100.

Fitness trackers like the FitBit Charge cost $149 while the Apple Watch cost $369. On the other hand, one of the most popular pedometers, the Omron Walking Style Pedometer cost $19.

Anything We Missed?

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Did we miss any points in a fitness tracker vs pedometer?

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