Can anyone recommend a really good pedometer?

[oysterpots]

Want to get one as Christmas present for my brother who has recently got really into running.

I wouldn't use a pedometer for running, I'd use a heart monitor type thing. Examples here

NQC - have you any experience of using a HRM?? I love my running and have never used one, but now at 40coughsnuffle I suspect it may be a Good Thing to do....

I've used them, but they annoy me. But then, I only rarely bother timing myself, I just run.

But if you're the sort of person who likes recording things and comparing them and measuring them, if that encourages you to exercise, then a HRM might help.

I don't think age has anything to do with it. (Oh, I did use one while running with DS2, as I'd read you shouldn't let your heart rate go too high - but I think listening to your body is more reliable, anyway.)

Oh, Pan, is that you? Hello!

You have a plasticy strap under your boobs/pecs and a wrist watch sort of thing. It's all a bit sweaty, too.

Thank you and I thought so re the listen to your body thing. Icouldn't be bothered withthe counting/measuring thing..covering a "good distance in a reasonable time" is about as exact as I get!!

I just keep seeing these ads with 'older runners' in them, but do suspect it is a mix of use of technology expoiting senses of vulnerabilities. If you 'over-do it' your bod will let you know gently.

cheers!

yes tis me!!

sounds awfully uncomfortable - I hear them go off when in races and the like. Watch is ok but strapping across the chest sounds rubbish.

They might have got them working with just a watch now? You'd think it would be possible.

The need to measure and have numbers is, for lack of a better term, a pretty blokey thing to want to do - but not every bloke wants that.

Ah, had a look, you get strapless ones, but they only measure your pulse rate on demand, when you press a button (by measuring your pulse in your finger), rather than continuously.

Hmmm..am still wishing to listen to bod? Can take own pulse for 6 secs and then X 10 for a rough read.

and do need to go into "Running Bear" today for a pressie..it's a BIG running sore in E. MAnchester..will check their Polar counter - I know they have one.

"it's a BIG running sore in E. MAnchester.."

that's the City Council, not "Running Bear" store..

NotQuiteCockney - why wouldn't you use a pedometer?

Pedometers, ime, are unreliable and weird, and measure how far you walk. Running strides vary a lot (can be long or short, even on the same run), so 'how many steps' isn't that relevant. And, depending on your gait, or where you put the pedometer, I'd worry about the pedometer missing steps, too.

I've only ever used a quite cheap pedometer that came free with something, but still ...

Gear that is useful for a runner (imo), that you could buy as a gift:

• nice drinking bottle
• thin hat, snood, whatever, that can be taken off while running
• bath soak stuff
• mp3 player/headphones/carrier
• heart rate monitor
• nice socks (they do lined ones, they're really comfy)

That's brilliant NQC - thanks so much. I did notice you can get jogging/running pedometers but as I don't run much myself I could really use advice. I think he would appreciate any of that stuff. Do you know of any decent places I can order online?

I don't know online places. Thorlos socks are good. Anything with thinsulate or goretex, for gear, can be good, if he's running in the cold or wet.

Oh, I lie, I go to the real-life shops of this chain, and they're very good.