Staying On Track: Techy Fitness Helpers
Fitness tech to measure your effort, keep you motivated, and let you know when to go hard and when to back off.
Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app.
BEST FOR: Overall Health Boost
Totally Wired
How to avoid drowining in the fitness data stream
Jawbone UP: Wear the wristband to monitor activity and sleep. Use the software—or sync with apps like RunKeeper—to parse the data and spur a healthier lifestyle. ($130)
Fitbit Flex: The wristband logs distance, calories burned, and hours slept, among others. Upload the data to your PC or smartphone to chart activity over time. ($100)
BEST FOR: Fueling Your Competitive Fire
Under Armour Armour39: A chest strap measures heart rate, calories burned, and movement to calculate a “willpower” score. Compare your efforts over time and post them online. ($150)
Adidas MiCoach Speed Cell: Attach the device to your shoe to collect pace, distance, and acceleration data, then compare with friends and online leaderboards. ($70)
BEST FOR: Maximizing Your Training
Omegawave: The device tracks seven physiological markers, and the app uses a proprietary formula to assess readiness for various intensities of exercise. ($100)
Moodscope: It sounds low-tech—a virtual card game measures your moods—but this online app is an effective way of figuring out when to push and when to rest.
