Tech watch: getting personal

Flex, June, 2008 by Greg Merritt

Your portable musicplayer, cell phone and laptop computer shrunk in size while growing in capability, and so have personal workout monitors. As our survey of the best miniproducts shows, so far, PWMs are more useful for hitting the treadmill or sidewalk than hitting the iron, but inroads are being made in weight rooms, too.

* BODYBUGG (bodybugg.com) As seen on TV's The Biggest Loser, this armband sensor measures motion, skin temperature, skin conductivity and ambient temperature to, supposedly, predict your caloric expenditure with 92% accuracy. The downside is the price. The Bugg sells for $350-$500, and you'll need the Internet subscription service (PC only), which will set you back another $100 annually.

* OMRON HJ-720ITC POCKET PEDOMETER (omronhealthcare.com) For those who like to get their cardio walking or running, there are many pedometers on the market, including the Nike + iPod system, but our recommendation for features, convenience and price is Omron's top-of-the-line 720. It can be carried anywhere on your person, it measures your steps and distance traveled and later charts out such factors as calories and fat burned on your computer (PC only). It even tells time, and all for less than $50.

* POLAR F55 HEART MONITOR (polarusa.com) This water-resistant wristband monitor does much more than digitize your heartbeat. It also creates personalized workouts, determines your fitness level, counts calories and fat grams burned, tells you when you're adequately rested between sets, and lets you track your exercises, sets and repsas you train. It typically retails for approximately $220.