7/29/2019 Walking with Attitude - Article - How to Measure Stride or Step Length for your Pedometer.pdf

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Home Articles Features Pedometers How to Measure Stride or Step Length for your Pedometer

How to Measure Stride or Step Length for your Pedometer

Measuring your Step Length

For a pedometer to measure distance you first must enter your average step

length.

Step length i s the distance covered in an average step, ei ther from heel to

heel or toe to toe (see picture below).

Your step length is required for most pedometers so they can calculate Kilometers / Miles walked. Your

pedometer does this by mul tiplying your step l ength by steps walked.

Example: If your step length is 70 cm and your pedometer has recorded 5,000 steps The distance calculation is

0.7 (70 cm) x 5000 (steps) = 3500 (meters) / 1000 (meter in a Km) = 3.5 km. You have stepped 5000 steps

which equates to 3.5 km.

Don't worry! Your pedometer wil l do that calculation; al l you need to enter in i s your Step length :) The more

accurate your step length is the more accurate your pedometer will record your Kilometers (miles) walked.

3 Ways to Measure your Step Length

1. Measured Walk- Two pens and a tape measure

You'll need: Two pens, calculator and a tape measure Follow these steps;

Place one pen on the floor as your starting line.

Hold the other pen in your hand.

Place both of your heels so they are touching your starting line (your pen) and walk 10 steps,

Bring your feet together on the 10th step and place the second pen behind your heels.

Step away and grab your tape measure. Measure the distance between the two pens.

Using your calculator divide the distance by 10. That figure is your stride length.You can use your heel s

or toes to measure step length as shown in the diagram above.

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Example: Total distance between the two pens is 658 cm.

Divide 658 (cm) by 10 (steps) = 65.8 (cm)=Your average step length is 65 cm or .65m

Tip:We do recommend that you repeat th is 2-3 times to give you a more accurate average. Often the first time

you'll tend to over exaggerate your steps as you are focusing on walking.

2. Estimate by Height

A much quicker way to estimate stride length, but not necessaril y very accurate.

Men - you can multiply your height in cm by 0.415

Ladies - multiply your height in cm by 0.413

Example:A lady - 165 cm (height) x 0.413 = 68.145 cm (round off to 68 cm)

3. I'm Av erage - Instant stride length

If you are not concerned about the accuracy and you can't wait to start using your pedometer, then th is method

is for you!

Average stride length for ladies: 70 cm

Average stride length for men: 78 cm

Tip: Be sure to check your pedometer instruction manual before entering your steps/ stride length.

It's important to note: Distance measured on a pedometer can only be estimation. During your day to day

activity your stride length may vary, sometimes your stride might be greater or less than your average as you

walk upstai rs, down hi ll s or stride out.

Author

Kate Crosby Co -founder WalkingwithAttitude.com inspiring ev eryone to walk towards a healthier lifestyle

with online walking programs, workplace 10,000 step challenges.

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