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A range of gadgets can help boost your workouts. Technology can now track your exercise progress, count calories and more.
Fitness enthusiasts may appreciate some of these gift ideas.
Garmin Forerunner 310XT ($350; with heart rate monitor, $400)
Since 2003, I've been using GPS devices to keep track of how far I've run and how fast I'm going. Some even try to keep me on pace, beeping endlessly when I'm short of my goal. A new Garmin model offers longer battery life and improvements for triathletes.
What's new: An update to the Forerunner 305, the 310XT is waterproof to about 165 feet. But GPS signals don't travel well in water, so don't expect good distance readings while swimming - and forget scuba diving.
Nike Plus SportsBand ($59)
Nike and Apple teamed up in 2006 to create a fitness platform that offers many of the benefits of GPS devices, without needing a good signal. A small sensor fits snugly into a slot built into some Nike shoes and sends data wirelessly to an iPod Nano, iPod Touch or iPhone 3GS to track and display your pace and distance. The SportsBand, with small updates this year, lets you ditch the Apple device.
What's nice: Not everyone wants an iPhone or iPod, though, so this standalone unit is a decent alternative.
Timex Expedition WS4 ($200)
This gadget is designed more for hikers than runners or bikers. The WS4 offers elevation, temperature and compass readings. It also has a barometer mode, for those who care.
What's annoying: I'm used to GPS devices that work out of the box. Because the Expedition has no GPS and uses built-in sensors, it needs to be calibrated. You'll need to know your current elevation and something called the declination angle.
What's nice: It works indoors, and it's useful for more than hiking. Once calibrated, the compass can guide you on which way to go once you emerge from a subway.
Gymboss Interval Timer ($20)
The Gymboss helps keep your workouts on track by letting you know when to start or stop. With two separate timers, Gymboss can tell you, for instance, to put down your weights after three minutes and lift them again after a one-minute rest. This year's model has new colors and a louder beep.
What's unnecessary: You can do much of this with many watches. Even the iPod has a built-in timer.
What's nice: The beeping, and the fact that you can set separate times for working out and resting.
