A man paralyzed in a cycling accident is walking again, thanks to a chip that reads his brain waves and stimulates his spine. After a decade, he can stand, climb stairs and walk with a little help. Amazing!
Fitness trackers to track your steps that aren’t tied to Big Tech

A pedometer suits you if you want something basic that counts steps. They’re versatile, so you can clip them to your belt or waistband instead of wearing them on your wrist. All pedometers do is count your steps, differentiating them from fitness trackers, which can monitor sleep, count calories and more.
Some fitness trackers can even tell when you’re stressed! A pedometer is perfect if you don’t need all the extra features of fitness trackers. Here are our top three picks.
1. You just can’t beat this price
This small yet mighty tool can help everyone, from children to seniors. It has a large digital display, so you don’t have to worry about squinting at a screen while walking or jogging. It comes with a removable clip along with a lanyard.
Plus, it accurately tracks your steps as you embark on your daily trek. It’s also simple to use. You don’t have to worry about app connectivity, Bluetooth dropping out or any other high-tech headaches.
NESKLA’s 3D pedometer for walking has a reset button to restart your step counter. It’s also lightweight and easy to carry. You could even clip it on your pants or belt if you needed.
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Combine that with its long battery life and you’re getting a ton of bang for your buck.
2. One of the best affordable pedometers comes from 3DFitBud
Simple and easy to use, this 3D pedometer is ready straight out of the package. It comes in eight colors, so you can customize it to match your workout gear. It also comes with a clip and lanyard for your convenience.
The 3DFitBud prioritizes simplicity while counting steps. Use it to view progress as you run towards your fitness goals. With its 3D Tri-Axis Sensor technology, it’s highly accurate. Even when you wear it in different positions, it keeps track of your movements.
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Watch a paralyzed man walk again
Stuff I use a lot and like
Help! My cart is overflowing!
- I wear this weighted vest (20% off) when walking to burn more calories and increase my bone density. Pro tip: Order one that’s 10% of your body weight.
- I love to make a pot of soup and freeze it in this silicone container. I have lunch for the whole week.
- This whitening toothpaste (20% off, $12) is my absolute favorite. Keeps me sparkly for the cameras.
- I use these inexpensive blades to shape my eyebrows and get rid of the fuzz on my face, along with those hairs that pop up out of nowhere.
- The bristles of this cleaning pen ($9.48) get into every crevice of your rings and necklaces to make diamonds and other gems sparkle.
🛌 I love sliding into fresh sheets. If yours have seen better days, these crazy-popular cooling sheets are extra soft and on sale right now (41% off, $30).
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
🗻 Double rescue on Mount Fuji: A 27-year-old had to be saved twice in just four days trying to scale the mountain. Yep, twice. First, he lost his crampons (those spiky things for walking on ice) and couldn’t climb down. Rescuers got him back to the parking lot. There, he realized he did not have his phone. So he hiked back up to find his phone and got altitude sickness. Maybe just take the L next time, dude.
4 mph
The walking speed you should aim for during exercise. Scientists say it can help lower your risk of heart rhythm problems that lead to heart attacks and strokes down the line. And no, it’s not that fast. The average person walks around 3.5 mph. We’re talking a brisk little stride, not a power walk to catch a flight.
Deals, deals, deals
Warning: You’re going to want these.
- This walking pad is 42% off right now. It’s great to help ya from feeling like a complete couch potato while binge-watching Netflix.
- If you want something a little more affordable, a mini stair-stepper (52% off, $63) is another simple way to stay active.
- Give your booty a good home for 40 hours a week with a gel seat cushion. Make sure to click the coupon box for 30% off.
- This dry shampoo (25% off, $23) doesn’t leave your hair with that weird white tint or dry it out like the stuff in the can.
- An oscillating tower space heater for under $55 is a steal.
🔗 Link to save: Same-day delivery on Amazon — for times you’re too sick, tired or lazy to leave the house.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
32% more
Calories burned walking at a 10% incline. I like a real hill outside, but a treadmill works, too. FYI, a 5% incline boosts your calorie burn by 17%. Add on a weighted backpack (it’s called rucking) to burn an extra 200+ calories an hour. I was hiking yesterday when suddenly I ran into a cougar. It almost made me puma pants. 🐅
🧠 How every zombie movie starts: Scientists recently revived activity in a dead pig’s brain by pumping it full of a special chemical cocktail designed to mimic blood flow. The result? Brain cells started producing proteins and showing signs of life, but it wasn’t conscious. Now they want to try this on a human brain. Personally, I can think of a few better ways to spend science funding that don’t sound like a prequel to The Walking Dead.
A sound idea: New tech beams sound to a specific spot without speakers or headphones. How? It sends two ultrasonic waves that bend around obstacles, creating a sound bubble only the right person can hear. Imagine walking up to a museum exhibit and getting the narration without wearing headphones or bothering anyone else. Love that!
Here VR for convicted criminals: Prisoners in solitary confinement are getting VR goggles so they can pretend to be walking in Paris or on a beach in Thailand. The goal? Handle life. Case in point: Someone bumped into Daniel in VR. Instead of lashing out, he was guided through a breathing exercise to handle conflict.
♥️ Kindness goes viral: I love this. Lisa Aamot and her family are very close with their elderly neighbors, Fred and Evy. Recently, Lisa recorded her 4-year-old daughter, Sutton, walking to their house to borrow some maple syrup. Surprisingly, Fred, who’s usually relaxing in his chair, answered the door. The video has touched over 4 million hearts on TikTok.
40% more
Calories burned walking backwards. “Retro” walking (paywall link) is better at improving balance, reducing back pain and sharpening cognition, too. If you try it, be careful!