A method and system are provided for obtaining data for calibrating an accelerometer. The method and system operate by using at least one magnetometer reading to detect that a first orientation is being maintained; obtaining a plurality of accelerometer readings at the first orientation; using at least one magnetometer reading to detect that a plurality of additional orientations are being maintained and, for each orientation, obtaining a plurality of accelerometer readings at that orientation; determining calibration parameters comprising, for each axis of the accelerometer, at least one of a gain value and an offset value, using the plurality of accelerometer readings at the first and plurality of additional orientations; and applying the calibration parameters to subsequent accelerometer readings.