You already know walking is good for you. Perhaps surprisingly, walking even has benefits for people with arthritis. And, your doctor has probably been nagging you about being more active, right? He or she may have even suggested a daily goal for you.
Measuring the distance you walked or counting the steps can be difficult. That’s why a simple pedometer that tells you the exact number of steps you walk and the distance you cover is so helpful. A pedometer can also motivate you to meet your daily footstep goal and might even push you to walk a few extra steps.
In this guide, I’m going to show you what features of pedometers and step counters are important for older adults to consider. Then, I’ll show you some of the best pedometers for older adults that are simple to use, easy to read, and can be worn anywhere.
3DFitBud Simple Step Counter 3D Pedometer
- Lightweight and small enough to be hidden.
- Huge display shows the number of steps you have walked. You can reset the count at any time.
- Wear it around your neck or clip it on your belt’s loop.
- Long warranty and long battery life.
What Features Should You Look For In a Senior-Friendly Pedometer?
You need to compare the features, functions, and prices before buying any item online. If you are not aware of what to look for in a pedometer, here’s a quick overview of the features that you should keep in mind:
Ease of Use
Remember, not every senior wants the latest tech. It’s better to buy a simple one that does the job of recording the number of steps and measuring the distance. High-tech pedometers may not be necessary for senior citizens.
If you only want to read and measure the distance covered and the number of steps, you don’t need a device that monitors your sleeping patterns, counts the calories lost if you walk up and down a flight of steps, measures your heartbeat per minute, or transfers data to your smartphone via Bluetooth. If they do want those features, check out my guide to the best fitness trackers for seniors and the elderly.
You should buy a pedometer that’s accurate and has large buttons that you can operate easily. Operating easily means it should provide clear instructions on how to use the device. Some of the basic features that the pedometer should have are daily step count, weekly step count, reset option, distance covered, and option to set a target.
Large Display
There’s no use of the pedometer if you can’t see the reading in broad daylight. You don’t need a fancy LED screen that lights up whenever you touch it. Instead, the display should be big enough to clearly allow the user to see all the information on the screen.
From today’s date to the number of steps walked, everything should be visible in big digits. Older adults may develop eyesight problems as they age. This makes it crucial for the pedometer to have a big display so that they can see everything without squinting their eyes.
Mounting
Some seniors don’t like wearing watches or bracelets. You wouldn’t want to buy a pedometer that you need to wear on your wrists in such cases. Therefore, look for a simpler device that you can clip on your belt or maybe carry in your pocket.
Most modern pedometers come with advanced 3D sensors. As a result, they are quite accurate, no matter of where you keep them.
Size
Many of the latest pedometers are small and slick, making them look stylish. But you may not need a stylish model because the display isn’t always big in these pedometers. Instead, go for something that fits easily in your pocket and doesn’t weigh too much.
My Recommended Simple Pedometers and Step Counters for Aging Adults
Based on the suggested features above, here are the models that I recommend for seniors and the elderly who want a more basic step-counting device.
3DFitBud Simple Step Counter 3D Pedometer
- Lightweight and small enough to be hidden.
- Huge display shows the number of steps you have walked. You can reset the count at any time.
- Wear it around your neck or clip it on your belt’s loop.
- Long warranty and long battery life.
This is the simplest pedometer you can come across for senior citizens.
It has a huge display, making it easy for you to read the digits. The shape and size are reasonable enough and can fit in your trouser pocket quite easily. It records your steps until you reset the count to zero. A removable clip allows you to attach it to your belt or belt loop or even wear it around your neck.
This is one of the easiest pedometers to operate for the elderly. You can set your goal before going out to walk every day. It comes with a battery that lasts for months before you need to replace it.
CS1 Easy Pedometer for Walking
- Slim and lightweight, making it a stylish pedometer for seniors.
- Largest display among some of the modern pedometers, thus allowing you to see the digits clearly.
- Lots of colors to choose from.
If you are looking for a stylish pedometer that contains all the features mentioned above, you should buy the OZO Fitness CS1 Easy Pedometer.
It comes with a huge display where you can see the number of steps you have walked so far. Another advantage of this pedometer is you can buy from a range of colors. It has the basic features that you should look for in a pedometer. There is a lanyard cord that allows you to wear the device around your neck.
Most importantly, it doesn’t have any confusing buttons. It doesn’t require programming or resetting once you take it out of the box.
The only drawback with this model is it doesn’t record your walking distance and won’t reset automatically. There are no buttons on this pedometer. You have to manually reset the device by pressing the tiny reset icon at the back.
iGANK Simple Walking Pedometer
- Simple design with a carabiner lock that you can hook into your belt loop while walking.
- Reset the pedometer at any time by pressing the button at the back for 3 seconds.
- One of the longest-running batteries (8760 hours).
This is one of the most accurate pedometers available on the market right now. Don’t assume its simplistic design means less accuracy. It comes with a 3D Tri-Axis sensor that tracks your daily activities precisely.
One of the reasons it’s an ideal pedometer for seniors is that it doesn’t have any complicated features. It doesn’t have the option to transfer the data to your mobile phone, doesn’t show time and date, and doesn’t have additional buttons apart from reset. All you need to do is take it out of the box and start using it.
It has a creative carabiner design without lanyard cords. You can keep it in your pocket or hook it to one of the belt loops.
Another feature that sets this pedometer apart is its long battery life. It lasts for 8760 hours of use. This means you may not need to change the battery for at last two years.
OZO Fitness C3D Digital Pedometer
- Highly accurate pedometer that tracks not only your footsteps but also your calories burned, distance covered, and hours walked.
- Attaches to your belt loop or hides in your pocket.
- Small, lightweight, and comes in three colors.
- Simple two button operation to reset and configure the pedometer.
OZO is one of the most reputable brands when it comes to making simple pedometers for the elderly.
The SC 3D model proves why. It has a big display that allows you to see the number of steps you walked clearly. The device doesn’t have Bluetooth and won’t connect to your mobile phone. This makes it easy to use.
It tracks your walking steps and the distance you walked, walking time, and calories burned. So, you could consider it to be a more advanced pedometer for the elderly.
Its sensitive sensors are highly accurate, thus providing precise details about the number of steps you walked. Additionally, it comes with a two-button configuration that allows you to program the pedometer easily.
There is also a built-in automatic reset and clock with a 30-day memory log.
Realalt 3DTriSport Walking 3D Pedometer
- Best pedometer for senior citizens on a budget. It has the features that a simple pedometer should have, making it suitable for the elderly.
- Uses the 3D Tri-Axis Sensor to provide accurate readings of your footsteps, distance walked, calories burned, and walking time.
- Big display and a built-in clock.
The Realalt 3DTriSport Walking 3D Pedometer is another model that uses 3D Tri-Axis Sensor to track your footsteps. It not only monitors your footsteps but also records your exercise time, calories burned, and walking distance. In fact, it also stores your walking records for 30 days, thus allowing you to track your progress and set new goals every day.
Another advantage of this model is it comes with a user manual that you can go through to check how to operate the device. There are three buttons on this pedometer: set, reset, and mode. Take a look at the manual if you are not sure how to use these buttons.
Finally, the pedometer comes with a lanyard that you can attach to your bag or pocket or just keep the device in your pocket while walking.
Maizad 3D Digital Pedometer with Clip
- Excellent battery life makes it one of the most long-lasting pedometers on the market.
- Uses a Tri-Axis Sensor to accurately track your steps, walking minutes, calories burned, and time of the day.
- Automatically resets automatically at midnight.
The Maizad 3D Digital Pedometer is an easy-to-use pedometer for senior citizens that uses Tri-Axis Sensor technology to track their footsteps.
It has a 7-day memory that allows you to track your past records, thus motivating you to set higher walking goals for the next week. This is one of the rare pedometers that automatically reset your walking figures at midnight. Therefore, you will not need to reset it manually every day.
It has a carabiner design that you can hook onto your belt loop or bag. Alternatively, you can carry it in your pocket, and it will still provide an accurate reading thanks to its Tri-Axis Sensor.
This pedometer has a CR2032 battery that lasts for up to 12 months.
BATAUU Best Pedometer
- One year warranty will replace the device if you find anything wrong with it.
- Big display to help you see the digits properly. You can reset your walking data whenever you want with the press of a button.
- Set up the device without using a mobile phone or app.
This is one of the most affordable and accurate pedometers. It has a one-inch OLED screen that displays not only your footsteps but also the calories you burned and the distance you walked.
This pedometer is ideal for seniors in many ways: first of all, it has a big display that helps you see the steps you walked clearly. Secondly, there are only three buttons: set, mode, and reset. It is easy to operate. You can go through its manual if you don’t understand any of the functions.
It comes in four different colors, thus allowing you to choose the favorite model you want.
Conclusion
Now that you know the features to look for in a simple pedometer for seniors, compare the prices and buy one that meets your needs and your budget. I personally think the 3DFitBud Simple Step Counter is the best overall, considering the display, price, features, and ease of use.
