V - what is your conversion between steps and distance traveled (your average stride length)?

Stride length 60 inches, 5 feet (that's a pace--two steps).

Of course it varies according to terrain, pace, load, etc. which works out to about 1000 paces per mile. The pedometer counts steps and not paces, which makes the grocery store a half a mile away.

I haven't bothered to measure my pace with any greater precision than this. I find this number very easy to use for distance math when I'm traveling outside, especially hiking. I have to make allowances when the steps/pace changes dramatically, like climbing or descending rough trails, or walking on the beach.

Do any of you try to measure your progress in the woods this way?

I have a gps, but I don't use it hiking. I might be inclined to use a newer one that has all the bells and whistles (and maps). But mine is too old to have those features, and isn't any better than a map and a compass and some sense of direction.

BigV, I have hiked with a GPS with all the bells and whistles, but the noise was just too much. Ding, ding, toot, toot... but it did keep the bears away.


I've found, as you did, that terrain significantly alters stride length and forward progress. When hiking, I sometimes try to track my position on the map by counting alternate steps, and also by the shape and direction of the trail, and the slope of the land, but this only works if the trail as shown on the map is correct.

I sometimes put the GPS in my pack and go off trail, then try to find my way back to the trail or to a road using only a map and compass. I still have a lot to learn about navigating, but find this to be a useful exercise.

i thought there was something vaguely familiar about this thread.....

Regarding adjusting your calculations for rough terrain: I say, don't.
I presume that you're not really concerned with the distance you move your body. Your real concern is getting exercise, aerobic stimulation, cardio-vascular workout, burning calories.
A three foot forward / one foot upwards pace on a hillside trail most likely delivers more of all of these things than a five foot pace on a flat footpath. More so if you are carrying a load.
By and large, the things that cause you to shorten your stride also improve the exercise value of each stride, so I suggest, just count all strides as being unladen 5 foot strides.
I guess an exception would be if you are walking gingerly on an icy footpath or something.

the stairmaster seems to treat distance differently than the eliptical at our gym...i assume it counts upward progress into the tally of distance covered.....

Sh*t.

Pedometer died, not from overwork either. The last reading I remember yesterday was in the neighborhood of 5000 steps. I'll check the battery today, and hope I can get back on the meter. Don't worry, I'm still in motion. Hyperkinetic today.

I seem to get more steps in on the eliptical than straight treadmill. The treadmill I use tracks vertical climb and miles but not steps taken.

2.28 volts out of the 3 volt CR2025 cell. Looks like I need a new battery.

I met two of your people today, a psychologist and a gym teacher. The psych was ahead.

No, no, no, what he said was, "I'm a head doctor".

:)

New CR2025 ($2.17 at Bartell's Drugs). Still didn't work. Grrr. So, I fixed it. Well, I fixed it after I broke it. I ... ahem... dropped it. Actually, it sprung off my belt as I was pulling up my pants. They're fragile. The weighted pendulum had jammed and wasn't freeswinging, not counting "steps" anymore. STAB. PRY. Click. Ahh... all better.

1296 steps as of the end of lunch. Very idle day. I'll have to make it up later with a couple laps around the block.

5371 yesterday, incl walk to the store.

may i suggest investing $14.99 and one hour per day taking sonofV to the park with a nifty new soccer ball. play one on one. you will see the numbers scroll through the pedometer AND spend awesome quality time.