Most people take between 2000 to 5000 steps each day, but research suggests that if you manage 10,000 (approx 4-5 miles) accumulated walking steps it can lead to significant health benefits. If done daily, it can make you feel better, reduce your risk of developing coronary heart disease and offer many other benefits including:

• Help reduce high blood pressure (hypertension) and prevent or delay the development of hypertension
• Helping to control and maintain a healthy body weight
• Helping to control and prevent type 2 diabetes

Pedometers are an excellent way of tracking and measuring the amount of physical activity you achieve each day. They measure how many steps that you make by clipping to your waistband and detecting movements that cause your hip to move up and down such as walking and running. Most models usually offer a conversion into miles/km, a timer and how many calories you have burnt.

Pedometers are relatively inexpensive, and can be a great way of setting yourself goals and targets while you run and in everyday activity. So what are you waiting for - take the 10,000 steps daily challenge!

Heart Rate Monitors

Many joggers now invest in a heart rate monitor. With one of these, you can plan a pace that is comfortable for you and keep at that level throughout your jog. This means that you don’t have to "guess" what speed to run, and you can begin to add more time and miles to your jog as your fitness improves. Heart Rate Monitors are normally worn on your wrist like a watch.

The features that Heart Rate Monitors offer vary with how much you would like to spend. Some extra features that you may find useful are Stop Watch, Lap Counter, Calorie Usage and Distance Run. The information on the top of the range models will be able to be downloaded to a computer to provide detail analysis, but this really isn’t necessary for the occasional jogger!

Treadmills / Running Machines

The weather isn’t always favourable to go jogging in the park, so jogging and treadmill machines provide a great alternative. Like outdoor jogging you still get a great cardiovascular workout, while burning fat and improving muscles. You can also vary speeds to meet your fitness levels, working up from walking pace to a light jog and beyond. The type of machine varies greatly from a basic non-motorised machine at around £80, up to a deluxe top of the range model at over £3000.

Some key features on treadmills;

• Incline - Some treadmills can be varied, so that it’s similar to running uphill. This is a useful feature as it varies your workout and the muscles that you are using.
• Heart Rate Monitor - this monitors how fast your heart is beating. This helps you run at a steady speed, and you can begin to add more time and miles to your jog as your fitness improves.
• Calories burnt - useful for weight loss and diets.
• Programmes - These can help you from getting bored, by varying the speed and intensity of your run to mimic the variances in an outdoor run.
• Belt size - Make sure the belt is big enough for your stride. You don’t want to risk falling off the end of the machine during a workout! An ideal belt size is at least 45x 130cm, but obviously, but this obviously depends on the size of your stride and your budget.

THE BEST RUNNING GADGET SHOPS - REVIEWS

Totallyfitness.co.uk is a leading UK supplier of fitness and exercise equipment. They stock an excellent range of Heart Rate Monitors, Pedometers and Threadmills with expert advice to ensure you are getting the right product for your workout. They are UK based, but can arrange international shipping.
SportsShoes.com are an online retailer specialising in sports footwear, clothing, accessories and equipment. They stock a good range of running machines, as well as running equipment such as backpacks, caps, support socks, bladder water packs etc. They are UK based but offer international shipping
PhD-Fitness.co.uk offers a wide selection of fitness products from top brand Treadmills to Protein drinks. This includes a good range of Heart Rate Monitors at competitive prices with expert advice provided. Delivery is only available in the UK.
FieldandTrek.co.uk is one of the UK’s leading technical retailers of outdoor clothing and equipment. They stock a range of Stormlite and Suunto Heart Rate Monitors and Training Watches. They are UK based by also offer worldwide delivery.
Sport-Thieme.co.uk are a Germany retailer that have been operating over 5 decades and selling online for over 10 years. They stock around 15,000 items, including a good range of Treadmills, as well as Heart Rate Monitors and Pedometers. Fast European delivery is available.
GymWorld.co.uk are established over 21 years and are stockists of quality home fitness and exercise machines. These include treadmills, exercise bikes, rowing machines, elliptical cross trainers, gyms, benches and weights. UK and European delivery is available.
Cybercheckout.co.uk sell a wide selection of sports and fitness products, including diet and nutritional supplements. Their range includes a small collection of discounted treadmills, pedometers and heart rate monitors. Delivery is only available in the UK.
Amazon.com are not perhaps the first place you would think to look for a threadmill, pedometer or heart rate monitor, but they do actually offer a really good range. Prices are good and delivery fast. Shipping is only available in the US.
Amazon.co.uk like the US site (above), they also offer a good range of pedometers, heart rate monitors and treadmills from most of the major manufacturers. Prices are good and delivery is cheap and fast, but only available in the UK.
Maximuscle.co.uk are the UK's number one sports nutrition supplier. They stock a wide selection of specialised products that can provide the body with energy and help your muscles repair after a long run. International delivery is available.
FitnessOptions.co.uk are a fitness equipment specialist with an online store packed full of the latest fitness products. These include pedometers, treadmills and steppers. Delivery is only available in the UK and is free of charge on most items.
SportandLeisureUK.com offer a wide range of home exercise equipment including treadmills, exercise bikes and rowing machines. Their prices are very competitive and they have a price match guarantee to ensure you get a great deal. Delivery is only available in the UK.
PhysioRoom.com is an extensive sports injury shop, that provides expert advice and recommends products to help. It really does provide useful tips and offers an impressive range of merchandise. They are UK based by offer worldwide delivery.
MilletSports.co.uk are one of the UK's largest online sports clothing and equipment suppliers. Established in 1987 they have plenty of experience and offer good quality products at low prices. They have a section dedicated to running, which stocks a great range of sports watches and heart rate monitors as well as some excellent special offers. Delivery is free on all UK orders over £75 with shipping available throughout Europe.