How to measure your stride length or step length for your pedometer
Step length is the distance covered in an average step, either from heel to heel or toe to toe (see picture below) Your step length is required for some pedometers so they can calculate Kilometers (miles) walked. They do this by multiplying your step length by steps walked:
Example - Your step length is 70cms you have walked 5,000 steps
Calculation: 0.7 (70cms) x 5000 (steps) = 3500 (meters) / 1000 (meter in a Km) = 3.5 kms.
You have stepped 5000 steps which equates to 3.5 kms
Don't worry! Your pedometer will do that calculation, all you need to enter in is your Step length :) The more accurate your step length is the more accurate your pedometer will record your Kilometers (miles) walked.
There are a few ways you can measure your step length - we are going to give you 3 options.
OPTION 1: (an accurate calculation) You will need: two pens, a calculator and a tape measure.
Place a 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 (pen) and walk 10 steps.
Bring your feet together on the 10th step and place the pen you are holding behind your heels.
Measure the distance between the two pens and divide by 10. That is your stride (step) length.
You can use your heels or toes to measure step length as shown in the diagram above.
Example: Total distance between the two pens is 658cms. Divide 658 (cm) by 10 (steps) = 65.8 (cm)=Your average step length is 65cms or .65m
We do recommend that you repeat this 2-3 times to give you a more accurate average (the first time you will tend to over exaggerate your steps as you are focusing on them)
OPTION 2: A much quicker way but not necessarily very accurate. Men - you can multiply your height in cms by 0.415. Ladies - multiply your height in cms by 0.413. This will give you an idea of what your stride length is
Example: A lady - 165cm (height) x 0.413 = 68.145cms (round off to 68cm)
Option 3: If you are not concerned about the accuracy - and you want to enter an average step length - this is the option for you....
Average stride length for ladies is 70 cm and for men 78 cm
Example of some pedometers that require you to enter step length
You will only need to enter your stride length in pedometers that calculate the distance. Example of pedometer models are the:-
Yamax Digi-Walker SW700 and SW500
Yamax Digi-Walker Powerwalker Accelerometer and CW700
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