Pedometers with personality

The pedometer was created about 40 years ago but remained fairly obscure until recently, when more health experts began extolling the virtue of walking as exercise. The devices, which clip onto the waistband of your pants, help you count every step as you burn calories and improve bone strength through walking. The pedometers described below have many highly useful features to help make your walking more enjoyable and safe.

Adding rhythm to your step

High Gear FitWare FM: A looker loaded with features.

Likes: Easy-to-operate FM radio (earphones included). Automatically adapts to your different length of strides and provides estimates of calories burned, distance traveled and a countdown timer. Big clip keeps it secured to your pants.

Dislikes: Numbers on the screen are smaller and harder to read than some competitors’ models.

Price: $45. (888) 295-4949; www.highgear.com

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For bigger bodies

New Lifestyles NL 2000: Pricey but packed with features.

Likes: Compact, easy-to-use unit uses “strain-gauge” technology that the manufacturer claims gives a more accurate step and calorie count and works better on very overweight people. (Stomach bulge can throw off the vertically oriented suspended lever-arm mechanisms of standard pedometers.) Big numbers on flip-out door are the easiest to read of the four models tested. Has a seven-day memory (good for comparing workouts), a clock and calorie counter.

Dislikes: Expensive.

Price: $54.99. (888) 748-5377; www.new-lifestyles.com

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Armed with an alarm

Oregon Scientific PE 319: Peace of mind for people who run at night.

Likes: Has a 120-decibel panic alarm that is activated with a tug of a safety strap. Has a backlight, stopwatch, clock and measures distance traveled and calories burned. Good looks.

Dislikes: None.

Price: $29. (888) 274-7980; www.oregonscientific.com

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For whatever the pace

Sportline 360: Fitness pedometer for walking and running.

Likes: Dual display shows distance traveled and steps. Flip-out style makes numbers easier to read. Can switch between running and walking modes (you must adjust for your different stride lengths). Other features include miles per hour, steps per minute, a timer and seven-day memory.

Dislikes: Instructions a bit difficult to figure out.

Price: $39.95. (800) 338-6337; www.sportline.com

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-- Roy M. Wallack