Adidas miCoach and the Speed Cell

What it is: Updating its popular miCoach, the Adidas miCoach Speed Cell is an even more advanced virtual personal trainer. It works with the miCoach application running on Apple devices, PC and Mac (free) and a little device that you can attach to your shoe, the Speed Cell. The Speed Cell captures 360° movement and measures your speed, distance and stride rates. Then, it wirelessly transmits that data to your digital device and turns it all into fancy infographics that make you feel great about your efforts.
Why it’s great: Users can share their workout statistics or compare them with friends via Facebook and Twitter. There’s even a little video game included where your character gets power-ups based on your workouts.
Available at B3,490 for the iPhone/iPod Touch and B2,990 for PC/Mac at Adidas stores nationwide, try 2/F Siam Paragon, Rama 1 Rd. Tel 02-690-1000. BTS Siam.

Nike+iPod Sport Kit

What it is: Compatible with the miCoach, this equipment set includes a sensor, which beams information such as distance, pace and duration of run to your mobile device so you can sync the information to your computer via www.nikeplus.com (this is done automatically if you’re using an iPhone). The companion site then charts your performance after syncing it from your iPod or phone.
Why it’s great: Their new Power Song feature enables you to program a song to play when you need a sudden burst of motivation. And, of course, you can post all progress on Facebook and Twitter.
US$1.99 (B60.8) from the iTunes Store. Full kit available at B725 at selected Nike shops. Try 1/F Siam Center, Rama 1 Rd. Tel 02-658-1092. BTS Siam.

Runkeeper

What it is: A web-centric app that not only tracks everything like your running time and distance (even on the treadmill), it also offers training classes tailored to your specific fitness goals.
Why it’s great: It’s not as serious as the miCoach website, but Runkeeper has a loyal following for its sharing capabilities. You can post your information on Facebook and Twitter, and even recruit like-minded friends from your Facebook and Google contacts to make your own “Street Team.”
Free from the iTunes Store, Android Market & Windows 7 Marketplace. S4.99 (B152.5) per month gets you additional reports, tracking and training classes.

Cardiotrainer

What it is: Gaining popularity in the world (with about 40,000 active monthly users via Facebook), Cardiotrainer is marketed as a weight loss app. What it really does is monitor your workouts (walking, running and even biking) including your route, time and distance, and even calories burned, which can all be uploaded online.
Why it’s great: There’s a Facebook plug-in for you to pull all your Cardiotrainer data from its server and upload to your profile. While this is a standard feature, what we liked best was the “Race Against Yourself” add-on that allows you to view your previous runs and select one for you to beat—voice notifications (and Facebook friends watching your progress) tell you if you’re slacking in your pursuit.
Free from Android Market. Additional $2.99 (B91.4) for “Race Against Yourself” add-on.

Fitocracy

What it is: It’s not yet an app, but this site definitely has potential. It turns exercise into a fun challenge—you just need to key in your day’s activity and it awards points, updates your fitness level, as well as suggests quests you can complete to up your performance.
Why it’s great: Designed to be extremely goal-driven, Fitocracy displays your logged information on the platform for your followers to see—just click on the tags (like “weight loss” and “marathon”) on the interface to find like-minded users who you can follow and compare data with. You can also share the info on Facebook and Twitter. iPhone and Android apps are expected to be released in 2012.
Sign up for free at www.fitocracy.com.