5 best fitness trackers for New Year’s Resolutions

The No. 1 New Year’s resolution this year was fitness related, according to a Nielsen study. And chances are, that trend isn’t going to change in 2016.

Fitness-related resolutions always linger in the top goals in America.

Whether you’re gearing up to make 2016 the healthiest yet or you are hoping to make it through the holiday season without sacrificing your health, there are plenty of gadgets, trackers and gizmos to help.

There are plenty of iPhone apps — many that are even free, like Lark, a personal weight loss coach and nutritionist — that you can download to help, too.

Here are our four favorite fit resolution trackers to help you stay on top of your health goals.

1. The Fitbit:

 This should surprise no one, due to the Fitbit’s popularity. We love it because it’s convenient (you just slip it on like a watch; in fact, it also doubles as a watch) and it’s simple to use. It counts your steps (and your heart rate), which provides great insight into your daily activity level. It helps you track your movement, without making fitness overly complex or stressful. Move more. Fitbit helps, by raising your awareness. Fitbit Charge HR, $149.99 (plus Cash Back), Kohls.com

 2. Fitbit One:

 Don’t want to wear a watch? Toss the small Fitbit One clip into your pocket and it’ll automatically track tons of health features for you — beyond just steps and heart rate. It also monitors how well and long you sleep, how many flights of stairs you climb and more. It syncs wirelessly with your phone or computer so you can dig deeper into your stats.

As a bonus, it’s typically cheaper than a Fitbit, making it a nice alternative for people on a budget who don’t want to sacrifice any features. Fitbit One,$79.99 (plus Cash Back), BestBuy.com

3. Polar H7:

This chest strap, worn under your clothes, monitors your heart rate. This allows you to workout without your phone (because often it doesn’t make sense to carry your phone around with you to exercise) and still track your data. Beyond just capturing motion, it also tracks your intensity, an important feature when making real fitness progress.

The Polar H7 Heart Rate Sensor also tracks this info and sends the numbers to your smartphone app. It even coordinates with some gym equipment. Polar H7 Heart Rate Sensor, $79.95 (plus Cash Back), SportsAuthority.com

4. SMS Audio Biosport headphones:

Monitor your heart rate with no extra gadgets. Simply use the headphones you are already using for music. These water-and-sweat resistant headphones measure your biometrics so you know just how hard you’re pushing to achieve those resolutions. SMS Audio Biosport Wired In-Ear Headphones with Heart Rate Monitor, $149.95 (plus Cash Back), Sears.com

5. Jawbone UP3:

 Looking for something a bit more stylish? Try the Jawbone UP3. It looks more like a bracelet than an activity tracker and it’s available in five colors – we love the classy look of the sand twist gold. It measures all the essentials including your heart rate, activity, calories burned and sleep patterns. With the corresponding app, you can set goals, track food intake and take advantage of personalized coaching through Smart Coach. Jawbone UP3 Activity Tracker + Heart Rate, $179.99 (plus Cash Back), BestBuy.com