Most pedometers are so 20th century. They’ll give you a reasonable estimate of how many steps you take each day, which you could dutifully record in your notebook and track your progress over time. But new USB Pedometers make the old tried-and-true step counter look like an eight-track tape player. The new pedometers are paired with a Web site that will help track, graph and crunch your numbers.

Simply connect the device to your computer’s USB port and upload your data. SportBrain.com sells a $99 pedometer (plus a $49 annual fee for Web access) that tracks steps, distance, calories and heart rate if you wear a chest strap. WalkingSpree.com sells a pedometer (without the heart rate monitor) and Web access for a $99 package price.

The sites provide all sorts of different ways to look at your data, tracking your progress over time, which studies show helps ensure you’re improving your fitness. They also sell additional services such as coaching or workout plans.

— Markian Hawryluk, The Bulletin