This app is made for walking and that’s just what I’ll do.

In a society filled with Fitbits and other expensive pedometers, I was on the look out for a less expensive way to track my walking. The App Store gave this to me, for free.

The app Walkr is not a normal pedometer, and Fitbits pale in comparison. Walkr takes walking and makes an intergalactic game out of it. The app has an outer space theme, allowing you to explore the universe, discover new planets, and care for the alien species that live there. It is a “galaxy in your pocket.”

Walkr tracks your steps and the more you walk, the more your planets thrive. The planets’ populations grow with the more you walk. (Though this is a bit ironic due to the lack of gravity in space, which would make it quite difficult to walk there.)

All you have to do is open the app, put your phone in your pocket, and carry out your day as usual. The app tracks your steps and lets you know how close you are to your daily goal of 10,000 steps. However, as you level up in the app, you can increase your goal.

While the app should be downloaded for the purpose of staying active, the app can also be enjoyed for the game involved. Combining health and games seems perfect. Most free games give you the option to level up with a purchase. Walkr, however, uses exercise as its incentive.

Here’s the downside though: it’s hard to be sure that Walkr is properly tracking your steps. It calculates your steps based on your movement. How can we really be sure that it is getting an accurate measurement?

While I typically have my phone with me all day, there are points throughout the day when my phone is not in my pocket. When it’s dead or charging, none of your steps get tracked. Additionally, the app drains my phone’s battery.

When I first downloaded the app, it took me a long time to figure out how it worked. Although it wasn’t user-friendly to begin with, once I got the hang of it, I was able to fully enjoy its functions.

The app has its downsides, but if you want to be more active, Walkr can give you the motivation to get up and move. And you get to control space. Which is pretty out of this world.

Lauren Glase is the Media Chief for The Patriot and jcpatriot.com.