Six of the best get fit gadgets

By Peter Jenkinson

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Withings Pulse - £89.95 from withings.com

Place this tiny gadget somewhere about your person and it'll track all manner of activity - counting steps taken (plus the elevation, distance and calories burned), quality of sleep and heart rate measurements. It all feeds back to the free app to give you updates on your progress, and how close - or far - you are from your fitness goals.

Keep the beat

Yurbuds - from £24.99 see yurbuds.co.uk

There are earbuds aplenty claiming to stay in their proper place as you up the pace, but sadly many don't. Administering to the subsequent jangling headphone wires mid-run, work-out or other exercise regime is distracting and frustrating. This new range from Yurbuds has an ingenious twist and lock system, that's also sweat resistant, so you can jog on in confidence. Music to our bouncing ears.

Right path

Tom Tom Runner GPS Watch- £149.99 from tomtom.com

On first glance, this gadget might seem pricey but, over time, it is much cheaper than any gym memberships, with the added bonus that pounding the parks and pavements is a proven fitness increaser, quickly gets you trim and, of course, is a rapid way to get from A to B. This clever watch delivers at-a-glance performance information like distance, time, pace and calories, and if you do decide to splash out on the gym as well, it also works on treadmill runs using built-in sensors.

Sweat swag

Personalised Gym Bag - £69.99 from firebox.com

If you really want to show you're serious about attending your daily spin class, this personalised bag could be just what you need. It comes complete with three oversized letters on the top and some nifty rope handles, all setting you nicely ahead of the gym fashion pack. Of course, it can be used for non gym-based jaunts too.

Nothing fishy

Dark Fin Gloves - £21.99 from firebox.com

Looking like something that Batman might pack for his holidays, these Dark Fin gloves are something special. Contoured latex gloves that'll assist your in-water speeds, allowing you in the fast lane for possibly the first time ever (or at least in the fast lane without being sworn at). Never underestimate the feel-good factor of getting to the deep end first.

Press on

Shirt Shuttle MK2 - £35 from amazon.co.uk

Most of us use work and the slog of commuting as an excuse for lack of exercise time, but this ingenious bit of kit will leave your arguments a bit flat. Keep your freshly ironed shirts inside the capsule and they'll remain in pristine condition during your jog or cycle to work, leaving you looking as fresh as your co-workers in moments - and a little more toned too.

App of the week

Disney Animated - £6.99 from iTunes

Just awarded iPad app of the year, Disney Animated gives their fans an inside-look at the magical art and technology in the Walt Disney Animation Studios. From the very latest release Frozen right back to 1937's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the app features digital story chapters packed with fully interactive images, animated clips with flip-book control, Disney 3D models to animate and loads more.

Top 10 paid for apps for Android phones

1. Minecraft - Pocket Edition

2. The Chase

3. Cut the Rope

4. Monopoly MILLIONAIRE

5. Where's Wally Now?TM

6. Plants vs Zombies

7. THE GAME OF LIFE

8. SCRABBLE

9. Cops N Robbers (Jail Break)

10. Bejeweled 2

Top 10 free apps for Android phones

1.Candy Crush Saga

2. Jelly Splash

3. Despicable Me: Minion Rush

4. BBC iPlayer

5. Where's My Water? 2

6. Nemo's Reef

7. Facebook

8. Beat The Boss 3

9. Piano Master Christmas Special

10. Angry Birds Go!

(Both charts courtesy of Appstore on amazon.co.uk)