TechnoFit

When it comes to getting in shape, nothing replaces old fashioned motivation and sweat to melt the fat. Perhaps losing that pesky 10 pounds gained between Thanksgiving and New Year’s is enough to uncover a new outlook on life. Or, maybe you are already in shape but want to be bathing-suit-ready for that approaching cruise during spring break. Either way, expert’s say the simple act of tracking one’s activity and fitness routine increases activity by 25 percent.

It's no surprise that someone serious about creating a six-pack, a la Ryan Gosling, are just as serious about tracking their progress. Experts say the future of fitness may lie within new gadgets enabling fitness fans to monitor and motivate. This equipment takes the guess-work out of workouts, and bridges the gap between trainers and gym rats. Thanks to Wi-Fi and bluetooth, users can find out immediately how effective a workout is – or isn’t.

Fitness guru and owner of 360º Fitness, Melinda Prince, reveals some of the hot new gadgets for 2012 to motivate and make your workout routine that much easier. Justin Klein, clinical dietician for Longview Regional Medical Center also contributed his new favorite fitness gadgets for the new year. Why spend time calculating how many calories you think you burned? Why not count on equipment so advanced, you will know how many calories you burned while sleeping?

UP BAND
This little rubber bracelet from Jawbone, tracks everything that potentially contributes to your physical fitness. Don't let the simplistic model of this monitoring device fool you. Its sleek design houses a powerhouse of information-gathering technology tracking your activity, sleep patterns as well as an alarm reminding you the ideal times to sleep, wake and workout. The silent alarm vibrates, gently reminding you to get up and move, or to awake from slumber. UP helps your body function at it's highest level and the free app allows you to observe and track progress as well as enter challenges and interact with other UP friends. While some early versions were recalled, the company says the kinks have beed fixed. Bands can be currently be purchased at authorized dealers: Apple Store, AT&T, Target and Best Buy. You can also sign up online to be notified when the new UP band will be released ($99) at www.jawbone.com.

Fitbit Ultra
Boasting a 3-D motion sensor to track any movement (even stairs), the Fitbit Ultra contains an MEMS altimeter to track every step made, including stairs and hills. It also tracks sleep cycles and sleep efficiency, as well as calories burned and consumed. Perhaps the most innovative aspect of the Fitbit is it’s ability to show information in real time and to automatically upload information wirelessly to your computer or iphone allowing you to check the most recent stats. Goodbye to entering info to track your progress. Other things the Fibit tracks: blood pressure, glucose and heart rate. This small device can be worn in pockets, clipped on your bra, waistband or worn on your wrist at bedtime. Available for $100 U.S. (free shipping) at www.fitbit.com.

Fitbit Aria
The Fitbit Aria is the future of Wi-Fi Smart Scale Technology. Available in late April, the Fitbit Aria not only tracks body weight, body mass index (BMI), percentage of body fat – it automatically recognizes up to eight users and shows comparative stats (body mass down 1 percent). The Aria comes with a free iPhone app and also wirelessly uploads information automatically to Fitbit.com, allowing each user to privately track their longterm progress. Pre-order the Fitbit Aria for $130 (free shipping) at www.fitbit.com.

AcousticSheep RunPhones
Created for fans of SleepPhones that wanted a workout version, RunPhones offer security for earphones during high impact activities. Perfect for runners, the wicking headband protects the high quality speakers that have a headphone jack while allowing the listener to hear traffic. Speakers can be removed to wash the headband. Band available in mesh or fleece. Available for $35 (mesh) or $40 (fleece) at http://runphones.com.