Track your activity with ActiPed

Published June 9, 2009
By Senior Airman Kali L. Gradishar
52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Clip a little black chip to your boot and you'll discover just how active you are throughout the day.

The Skelton Memorial Fitness Center recently distributed approximately 2,000 ActiPeds, a tracking device that can measure one's personal activity level. The chips, typically costing anywhere from $20 to $30, were donated by The FitLinxx Company to Spangdahlem Air Base.

"The ActiPeds can measure a person's steps, miles, calories and hours of activity," said Mark Geairn, base fitness center director of fitness and sports. "They are a great tool to determine your activity level and determine if you are meeting minimum requirements for a healthy lifestyle."

Spangdahlem was selected as the U.S. Air Forces in Europe Pilot Program, or test location, for the device, which are available free at the fitness center.

"Once you have the ActiPed, all you need to do is agree to participate in the focus group, establish an online account and go about business as usual," Mr. Geairn said.

Authorized for wear with all Air Force uniforms, the ActiPed should be worn on the boot or shoe only. Placing it on a ball cap, belt, purse or backpack prevents the device from working correctly.

For lacing shoes, place the clip under as many laces as possible toward the lower portion of the shoe, and for non-lacing shoes, mount the clip with the open end pointing toward the toe, the ActiPed information pamphlet suggests.

Once registered and mounted activity levels and progress can be viewed at www.actihealth.com/uinmotion.

"ActiPeds are beneficial because they show your actual activity level, and you can set goals on the provided Web site to track and gauge success," Mr. Geairn said. "Whether you have an inactive or active lifestyle, you can set those goals to see how you are progressing."

These tools are being used in the Fitness Improvement Program, injury rehabilitation, dieticians and fitness programs to motivate patrons to become more active," he added.

For questions or more information contact the base fitness center at 452-6251 or go to the USAFE U in Motion Web site, by ActiHealth and FitLinxx, at www.actihealth.com/uinmotion.