The Omron HJ-112 Digital Premium Pedometer is a nifty little gadget that keeps track of the number of steps you've taken, the distance you've traveled, and the number of calories burned. It's a great motivational tool to help you keep on track on your weight lost program.

The Omron HJ-112 is my first pedometer and I was a little curious how it could actually keep count of the number of steps you have taken. I had imagined that a person would carry a pedometer in their hand and press a button on the device with every step you take.

But the Omron HJ-112 is way more advance than that. All you do is place it in your pocket, bag, or clip it on your belt and it automagically senses your steps and keeps an accurate count. I was amazed at how well it actually works.

The Omron HJ-112 comes with the following items in the package:

1. The Omron HJ-112 Pedometer
2. A CR2032 battery
3. A screwdriver
4. A carrying strap
5. A clip for the carrying strap
6. A holder
7. An instruction manual and a warranty card

The first thing you do is to remove the back cover (they even included a small screwdriver for this) and insert the battery. Then you set up the current time, your weight, and your stride distance. Then place it in your pocket! That's all there is to it! After that it keeps track of the number of steps you've taken.

With the Mode button, you can display the number of steps you've taken, the number and duration of “aerobic steps” you've taken, the distance you've traveled and the number of calories burned.

The number of “aerobic steps” is defined as at least 10 minutes of continuous walking at a rate of more than 60 steps per minute.

There is a Reset button to reset everything (steps, aerobic steps, distance, and calories burned) back to 0. The Omron HJ-112 automatically resets itself at 12:00am each night and stores up to 7 days of information. By pressing the Memory button you can recall any of the previous 7 days of walking information.

According to the manual, the precision of the step counting is accurate up to +/- 5% and the battery should last about 6 months when used for walking 10,000 steps per day. I tested it by taking 100 steps and the Omron HJ-112 reported that I had taken 102 steps. During my drive to work, I was curious to see if it would accidentally count the bumps as steps but to my surprise it did not register one false step.

Pros:

1. Very easy and convenient to use
2. Accurate Step Counting
3. Makes me more motivated to keep walking
4. Only $20 at Amazon.com

Cons:

1. I accidentally cut myself on the plastic packaging