Fitness Tools for Every Athlete

 By Peter Jaret WebMD Feature Reviewed by Michael W. Smith, MD The latest generation of high-tech personal fitness devices can help motivate you and improve your athletic performance. "Some of the new gadgets encourage sedentary people to get moving," says Carol Torgan, PhD, a physiologist who consults for the American College of Sports Medicine. "Others boost athletic performance by providing real-time information about target heart rate, running speed, and other parameters." But with so many gadgets crowding the market, choosing the right one for your workout and style isn't easy. Here are eight types of fitness tools that may help improve your workout.

1. Basic Step Counters (Pedometers) If you need a little extra motivation to get moving, pedometers that count each step can help. "People are often surprised when they strap on a step counter to see how inactive they are during the day," says Ruth Ann Carpenter, MS, an exercise consultant and co-author of Active Living Every Day. "With a step counter, you can set a goal of how many steps to take every day and track your progress. If you're falling short, you may be motivated to take a walk after dinner instead of watching TV." Step counters are valuable for people who get their exercise by walking or running. It won't accurately register other exercise, such as bicycling or weight lifting. About 5,000 steps is the minimum you should log in a day. But 10,000 steps is ideal if you want to be active. The most basic and inexpensive pedometers measure steps only when worn or held in an upright position. More expensive models use tri-axis or 3D technology to record steps no matter how they are positioned, so they tend to be easier to use and more reliable.

2. GPS-Based Fitness Monitors Some of the latest fitness devices use GPS signals to monitor your exact location. GPS-equipped devices can record how far and how fast you walk or run. You can also use them to chart a path when you're running or walking in an unfamiliar place. In general, GPS devices are more accurate than basic step counters at estimating the distance you've walked or run.

3. Calorie Counters Some pedometers and GPS devices convert your steps and speed into the estimated number of calories you burned. The most sophisticated of these programs allow you to enter information about your weight, which improves accuracy. Calorie-counters are particularly useful if you're trying to lose weight. Not surprisingly, some devices are better than others at making the calculation. "You usually get what you pay for," says Catherin G. R. Jackson, PhD, a professor of kinesiology at California State University, Fresno. "The more expensive units are typically more accurate." Even so, it's worth remembering that even the best of these devices give you an estimate of calories burned, not a precise number.

4. Heart Rate Monitors Your heart rate, or the number of times your heart beats each minute, helps you measure the intensity of your workout. A wide range of heart rate monitors are now available. Along with displaying heart rate in real time, many devices allow you to set a target heart rate and then alert you when you reach your target. Heart rate monitors can help beginning exercisers distinguish between moderate-intensity and vigorous-intensity activity. High-level athletes can use heart rate monitors to make sure they reach and remain in their target heart rate zone.

5. Activity Tracking This feature allows you to use a fitness device as a diary, recording detailed information about workouts and other activities. If you’re a competitive athlete, activity trackers are a great way to keep a detailed record of your training regimen. Activity trackers are also useful for setting goals and tracking progress. Some programs allow you to enter information about how you feel, what you eat, and other data. They can help you spot patterns you might not otherwise notice, such as when you have the most energy during the day or when you tend to feel tired. "Tracking programs can alert elite athletes to signs of overtraining, such as fatigue and sleep problems," says Torgan.

6. Computer Links and Social Networking Some of the latest fitness devices can download data to your computer, which then displays the information in the form of easy-to-read charts and graphs. Many new fitness gadgets also allow you to link up to social networks. "There's a big push toward integrating trackers with social media -- what I call 'wear, share, compare,'" says Torgan. "You can go for a run and then share your results, such as time and distance, with your friends." Torgan sees a growing trend for "gamification" -- turning activities such as running or cycling into games that allow people to compete with one another by winning points.

7. Sleep Monitors Sleep may not seem to have a lot to do with exercise. But if you're tired during the day because you didn't sleep well, your performance will be affected. That's why home-based sleep monitors are becoming increasingly popular. Some devices record brainwaves via sensors in headbands worn at night. Others simply measure your movements during sleep. A 2011 study by researchers at Belgium's Sainte-Pierre University Hospital found that home-based sleep monitoring may actually provide more useful information than tests conducted in a formal sleep lab. The reason: home-based units record how people sleep under real-life conditions. Still, few of the devices on the market have been scientifically tested for accuracy. If you have chronic problems falling asleep or staying asleep, it's wise to talk to your doctor.8. Body Fat Monitors Several of the latest fitness gadgets claim to measure body fat using electrical impedance of the skin. Their accuracy hasn't been tested by independent researchers, however. And even manufacturers acknowledge that body fat monitors may not provide reliable measurements for body builders, elite athletes, post-menopausal women, older people, and growing children. At best, personal body fat monitors only tell you if you are losing or gaining body fat over time.

Which Fitness Tool Is Right for You? Do your homework before plunking down your money for an expensive fitness device. The best companies provide information about products on their web sites. Be skeptical of anecdotal evidence or personal testimonials about how great the gadgets are. Whenever possible, look for controlled scientific studies. "The majority of these gadgets have not been tested in controlled studies," says Jackson. "So it's up to the customer to try to get reliable information." If a device sounds too good to be true, says Jackson, it probably is. Here's something else to remember. High tech gadgets can't make you fit. "They're a great way to tell how intense your workout is and to track your progress," says Carpenter. "They can also offer a great motivational tool." But in the end, staying fit and improving your performance still requires hard work and commitment.