Striiv
If you like games, you’ll love Striiv. That’s because this lightweight keychain gadget, which comes with a built-in accelerometer and altimeter that measure not just the number of steps you’ve taken, but also how many stairs you’ve climbed and how fast you’re going, gives you points for every step you take. You can then use the points to play a game built into the $99 device.
The goal of the touchscreen game, called MyLand, is to re-inhabit a lost land by growing plants and building things like water fountains and coliseums. And the only way to do that is by having enough energy to build and grow them. It’s a surprisingly good gimmick. Some days I found myself walking around the block a few times just so I could earn enough energy points to finish growing a bougainvillea bush or build a quaint little fishing pond.
I also liked the charts that recorded exactly how many steps I took each day and compared them to the national average. Whenever I went more than two days without taking enough steps, just seeing my inactivity charted onscreen helped motivate me to put on my exercise clothes and head to the gym.
One problem: Striiv’s sensors aren’t very good at measuring movement on stationary machines like a Stairmaster or rowing machine. And on days when I played the game too much, the batteries would drain in just a few hours. But overall, Striiv’s novel approach to fitness was a fun motivator.
Next: iPod nano
iPod nano
Released in October 2011, the newly squared-off sixth-generation iPod nano has a nifty fitness feature tucked inside its touchscreen. Just press the red Fitness icon, and you will find three options for charting your workout. Thanks to a built-in accelerometer, the nano can track both your walks and runs by calculating the distance and estimated calories burned. (Upgrading to the $29 Nike + iPod Sport Kit will provide even more detailed run information, but requires the additional purchase of special Nike+ running shoes, which accommodate the small sensor in the insole.) A history button lets you view your personal bests and workout totals.
While there aren’t any cool games built into the new nano, both the $129 8GB version as well as the $149 16GB model hold entire libraries of digital music that should keep you sufficiently distracted from your grueling workout. While you’re at it, spring for a $30 HEX sport watch band with a silicone strap that lets your wear your nano on your wrist like a watch, and makes it easier not only to log your workouts but also to skip to the next song.
While the nano is nowhere as full-featured as fitness gadgets like the BodyMedia Fit CORE armband, and it’s easy to forget to hit the start and stop buttons each time you go for a walk or a run (a couple times I left mine going for hours before remembering to hit the stop button), it’s the only device that doubles as a music player, digital photo album and wristwatch.
Next: Fitbit Ultra
