I imagine this has been asked somewhere already, but I haven't found it...

I remember free pedometers being advertised, but I can't remember if it was something we had to sign up for separately (and if so, whether I did) or if it was something that came automatically on joining.

I'm not sure whether I should be expecting one or not!

And if not, is there any way that I can go about getting one?

I think you get one sent for signing up and I believe they are taking around 28 days to arrive - there are a couple of posts regarding this try clicking on the Times Health Club Community link at the top and scrolling through the forums for more accurate advice.

Sam x

Hello,

Rosie - when you registered for the health club, you would have been given the option to "opt-in" for your free pedometer. We are in the process of sending them out to everyone (22k people eek!). People should start to receive them this week, next week at the very latest.

Let me know if you haven't received anything by next week.

Regards
Claire
Online Promotions Manager

ok thanks, that's really helpful.

Is there any way of finding out whether I opted in or not?

I'll keep an eye on the post anyway.
Rosie

Hi, I also would love to know if I opted in or not for a free pedometer. Am anxiously awaiting a reply to Rosie B's message. By the way I was given a pedometer as a present a couple of years ago and havn't yet figured out how to set it up. Hope The Times one is simpler. Good Luck to all Ron.

I've only just registered and there was no opt in or opt out in my registration process

Nor me no opt in or out for pedometers when I registered Saturday...I guess 22k was the limit.

What are people expecting from their new pedometer?
Will it make you walk further?
Will you try to do more steps each day.

I had a little plastic pedometer once, that hooked over the waistband of my shorts, but I lost it while out for a jog. I found it interesting to see the number of steps I'd taken but did not keep records.

I joined up very soon pretty soon after the article about The Times Healthclub appeared in the newspaper, and I didn't see a button to opt-in or out either. I suppose it's just a question of waiting a couple of weeks and if nothing comes then maybe I opted-out by omission.

Is a pedometer really necessary? Why not just time your walk? Say 1/2 an hour today 35mins tomorrow, 45mins the next time and so on until you reach what will be a comfortable work (walk)out. That way you know your getting better. Having said that I do miss my old pedometer, and look forward to getting a new one.

For those who didn't get one from The Times I saw them in Tesco earlier this week for a few pounds (£2.99 I think but don't quote me).

I think they are quite good at showing you how little you walk - so far everyone I have spoken to who has tried one didn't even make the recommended minimum daily steps! Just shows how little we do in these modern times!

They will come - within 28 days of signing up, so not long to wait now!

Don't buy the cheaper ones (have a look at http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/ women/body_and_soul/article3103519.ece for our tried and tested pedometers). Cheaper ones, which won't properly count your steps, are false economy, unfortunately.

I think just having and wearing a pedometer helps to keep me up to the mark. If I find I haven't done my 10,000 steps when I check my step counter, I will very often go out for a short walk to make them up. If I didn't have the step counter I probably wouldn't do it.
I was given a new pedometer for Xmas, an Omron Walking Style II and I am really pleased with it. If you walk at a good pace for a while it registers those steps separately as aerobic exercise which is helpful. It also has a much better attachment than the flimsy clips on the others I have had, which is probably why they got dropped so often and even went down the toilet one time!
The more expensive ones purport to tell you how far you have been based on stride length and how many calories you have burned and fat burned based on some programme that someone has dreamed up. These can only be approximate at best and I don't pay too much attention to them.

Is it just me, or are the times' free pedometers pants?!

does that mean yours has arrived Ruth?? Whats it like? and what's wrong with it?!

I've got mine. A bit shaky though. If I take my belt off or jiggle it adds on a couple of steps. It also seems to switch off after a few minutes. Not the best pedometer in the world.

oh. does it count anything other than just steps (eg. calories etc)??? If not I may just go and buy one...

A good option if you want something smarter is the sony sports mp3 player. It obviously plays your tunes, but also tells you calories, steps, miles covered etc - you set it up for your stride length running and walking too so I find it fairly accurate. It also stops you having to carry multiple gadgets. I know we all want to look like Lara Croft but we don't need the utility belt!!

I found no 'opt-in' for a pedometer either and would liek to have one too!

Dont bother, as the one i was sent is very dodgy in recording all the steps -i agree with the opinion that it is better to go out and buy a half decent one that will also record calories burnt.

mine`s arrived today - I`m probably being thick, but I can`t understand the instructions for setting weight etc! Can anyone help please??

It's arrived so many thanks to The Times! I don't think the button to set the weight is working however but the pedometer part is so I'll give it a go at some point

Mine came today too. I can't make the 'change settings work either. Still it wil count steps on 'inactive days' around the house and in office.

For anything more technical/accurate adn useful you really need a sports watch/heart rate monitor and the ones worht having are upwards of £50.

And on no account go to the loo whilst it is in place. Good job I've a nifty left handed catching techique!!!!

I didn't see the option of opting in or out for a free pedometer either. I've had several in the past and they've ranged from being quite good (the more expensive one) to ones which zero themselves of theier own accord or just switch off completely (and that is so frustrating especially when it happens towards the end of the day) or add loads of steps just by jiggling them.

Got mine today, there are some interesting translated instructions! I hope it works as I have one I paid for which is very disappointing as I can't get it to count all my steps. Where is it best to put it? Mine seems to stop counting if I stop and not get going again straight away?

Mine arrived today - a great idea but utterly useless. It doesn't measure all my steps and rattles too loudly to be anything but annoying - Ah well - good idea and a nice sentiment - who knows I may buy one once pay day arrives!

Mine arrived too! So evidently I did log in. I can't find a way to change the weight either, which is a shame - the person using it is 120kg, so their calories used will probably be a bit different to the calculated calories which use 60kg as an average!
Also it's very noisy... might be useful for now, then if we find we do use it, we'll go buy a snazzy one that does lots of fancy things.

pedometer has arrived but I am unable to set step length as per in structions - option just not visible. I've changed the battery but no joy. Guess that means it is not very useful. any ideas or how can I get a replacement that works?

Relieved I'm not the only one having problems with the pedometer. Can't set stride length or weight so it's fairly useless.