The display is backlit, and the SportBand includes a 2.4GHz wireless receiver, but no transmitter. The SportBand's rechargeable battery lasts an estimated three weeks of daily one-hour workouts, while the memory is able to hold 30 hours of running data. The button beside the display will start up exercise tracking, while a toggle button on the side of the device switches between functions. The LCD can function as a plain digital watch, but its primary goal is to convey exercise information via a calorie counter, timer, distance gauge and pace meter. The thumb drive is made from curved plastic so it neatly rests atop the watch band, and it houses the SportBand's LCD display and a pair of control buttons on its surface. While the SportBand is water resistant, using the buttons underwater or exposing the SportBand to hot steam can be damaging. This slot is what secures the second component of the SportBand, which is actually a USB thumb drive. Just like any other watch band, pretty much, but with one exception: opposite the watch band holes is a small rectangular socket in the rubber. The Nike+ SportBand consists of two separate components.

You're still going to have to put in the physical labor, but they'll take care of the number crunching by timing your workouts and figuring out how much exercise you're actually getting. Beyond motivation, these devices make exercising simpler. When you can't have a workout buddy, being able to post scores and compete with your friends is the next best thing. Nike+ lets you set goals for your workouts, helps you promote your successes to social networks and features friends lists so you can challenge your pals. Nike+ and other exercise tracking systems are designed to motivate you. Nike was one of the first companies to offer exercise tracking technology with Nike+, which uses a motion sensor to track the wearer's workout sessions and automatically catalog important information like calories burned, distance traveled and time spent working up a sweat. Since the 2000s, technology has started to do its part in getting us up off the couch, out of the office and into the park for some bodily movement.

But working out can be tough! Building up the motivation to exercise is the first great hurdle.

Of course, ultimately, weight loss comes down to burning more calories than you consume.

Download fuelband