The five best fitness tracking appliances

Photodisc / Getty Images file

By Alan Henry, Lifehacker

If you're thinking about heading outside or to the gym to get some exercise now that the weather is turning warm, you may benefit from an appliance you can wear on your wrist or in your pocket that keeps an eye on your activity level and gives you feedback on how well you're doing, whether you're hitting your activity goals, or where you can improve.

There are tons of these gadgets coming onto the market, and that all make big promises, but which ones are the best to help you get in shape? Here's a look at five of the best, based on your nominations.

We asked you which of this new breed of fitness gadget were the best at helping you get and stay in shape, which ones offered you the most valuable feedback on your activities, and which ones worked with the tools you prefer. You responded, and now we're back to highlight the top five.

Nike+ Fuelband

Nike

The Nike+ Fuelband ($149) is a bracelet you wear on your wrist that, quite simply, keeps an eye on all of your activity, including your steps walked, calories burned, and more, and turns it all into a score of sorts, called your "Fuel."

You can keep track of your activity and your score on your computer or your iPhone, set daily activity goals, measure your progress, and get active feedback both through the apps and through the device itself on how well you're doing and whether you've beat your goal. The Fuelband even includes a mood tracker, so you can keep an eye on your performance and how it relates to your mindset on a given day. You also have the option to share (or not) your progress with your friends on Facebook or Twitter.

FitBit

Fit Bit

If you're looking for an appliance that doesn't just track your activity, but can help you get a more restful night's sleep, the FitBit ($100) is the gadget for you. It's a tiny clip that attaches to your pocket, sleeve, or anywhere else on your person, and keeps an eye on your activity during the day ? including your steps taken, stairs climbed, calories burned, and so on ? and how much sleep you get and how often you toss and turn at night.

The FitBit collects all of this information and then uploads it to the FitBit webapp so you can track your progress. If you like using your smartphone to monitor your activity, the FitBit even plays nice with popular iOS and Android fitness tracking apps like Endomondo and RunKeeper. Then, you can share as many or as few details as you like with friends, who can support you. You can even use the FitBit's webapp to track your meals and diet, offering a truly complete tool to manage and improve your health.

BodyMedia FIT

BodyMedia FIT

The BodyMedia FIT ($100 to $200) is an armband appliance that wraps around your upper arm, and keeps an eye on your calories burned, your daily activity, and even your sleep quality and sleep patterns. As you wear the armband, it sends data to the BodyMedia webapp (which requires a subscription to access) and syncs with mobile apps for iOS and Android so you can keep an eye on how well you're doing working towards your daily activity goals, and how well you slept the previous night.

You can also pick up optional displays for the armband so you can see the data it's collecting while you move around. Combine the armband with the BodyMedia meal and diet planner, and the combined package offers you a great way to improve your overall health and wellness. Plus, the service has different types of armbands depending on the features you'd like.

Striiv

Striiv

We don't fault the folks behind the Striiv Smart Pedometer ($100) for urging their community to cast their nominations. Those of you who own a Striiv really love it, and while the gadget is part touch-screen pedometer, it also has a number of built-in mini apps that motivate you to walk more often, monitor your progress either on the device or through the Striiv webapp, share your progress with friends (and even compete with them towards daily activity challenges), and even participate in charity walks where donations are made based on how many people reach a certain activity level.

As you progress towards your walking goals, you can share it with friends on Twitter and Facebook, and interact with others who also use the Striiv to stay in shape. The Stiiv even has a built-in game that challenges you to rescue animals on an enchanted island, but to do so you have to get active. The game rewards you for walking, running, and taking the stairs instead of elevators.

Reuters file

Your smartphone

Many of you pointed out that you didn't need an appliance to help you get and stay in shape. With the help of a smartphone and a few well placed apps, you just slide your phone in your pocket before your workout, and let the app track your speed, movement, and activity. Other apps allow you to log your workout with their own active communities who will encourage you to push harder towards your goals, cheer you on, and offer instant feedback either on the device or on the web. We discussed a number of these types of apps when we showed you how to turn your Android phone or your iPhone or iPad into your personal trainer, if you want to go that route.

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