Accessorise your run: gadgets to get you moving

2 mins to read

Online personal trainer Andrew Cate looks at devices that may not do the exercise for you, but will help to keep you motivated.

Energy & exercise

Portable music players

Listening to music while you run is a great way to get motivated, and new technology has made music more portable than ever. MP3 players are lightweight, reasonably priced, and can store hundreds, if not thousands of songs on a device not much bigger than a match box. Most mobile phones can also store enough music to last several hours. Make sure your device is loaded with songs that inspire you to go fast and hard, and include some relaxing music for cool downs or a slower pace. Whatever style of music you prefer, just make sure it's not too loud, as you need to hear traffic noise to ensure your safety.

Cost: $70 – $500

Heart rate monitors

Heart rate monitors usually have two parts, including a chest strap to sense your heartbeat, and a watch that displays the reading. They allow you to instantly and continuously check your exercise intensity (heart rate), and make sure you are reaching the goal of a particular workout. They let you know when to increase or decrease your training load to maximise your chances of burning fat or boosting cardiovascular fitness. Many models allow you to set training zones, which make a beeping sound if your heart rate strays from the desired performance level. Some models also allow you to transfer data to and from your computer.

Cost: $50 - $650

GPS fitness devices

These devices use Global Positioning System satellites to transmit training information, and are a great tool for runners. They strap onto your wrist or arm and give you a variety of details about your run, such as the duration, current speed, average speed, kilojoules burnt, elevation above sea level and distance covered. They are incredibly accurate, and most are simple to use. The advanced models allow you to download the data onto your computer, which can outline on a map your precise route, and allow you to compete with friends on the internet. They may also come with a heart rate monitor to help you track your progress.

Cost: $70 – $400

Pedometers

Pedometers are a small electronic device that attaches to the waistband of your pants, and measures movement by the forward or downward impact of each step. They are an inexpensive way to measure your distance traveled, kilojoules used and total steps taken during a run. The feedback they give can help to keep you motivated and informed of the total amount of activity that you do. They also offer a practical measure of your health and fitness goals, such as taking 10,000 steps a day. More expensive models allow you to adjust their sensitivity, and are usually more accurate.

Cost: $25 - $115

Cheap pedometers often inaccurate

With some pedometers now available free from breakfast cereal boxes, questions have been raised about their accuracy. A recent study showed that three out of four pedometers were more than 10 per cent out in their measurements, while one in three were more than 50 per cent out. In the majority of cases, the pedometers over-estimated the actual number of steps taken. You can test your pedometer for accuracy by resetting it, and counting out 100 steps. If you're pedometer is more than one to two steps out, recalibrate it, or consider a better quality model.

Br J Sports Med 2006;40:714-716 doi:10.1136/bjsm.2005.025296