On test: the Fitbug - more than a pedometer

What is it?

The Fibug is a pedometer that's also designed to integrate with a website, so you can keep track of not just how many steps you take, but also your calorie consumption and nutritional info too. It's like having a personal trainer in your pocket.

How does it work?

You activate your Fitbug with a code, then go to the Fitbug website, www.fitbug.com, where you answer detailed questionnaires about what you want to achieve, whether it's getting fitter or losing weight, or both. When you plug the Fitbug in to the computer where the software is loaded, it transfers your steps totals in moments, and these are displayed when you log in to the website.

In terms of what you eat, you access the website to enter the food you've eaten, and the exercise you've taken. There are also other options such as fruit and veg portions and amount of water drunk.

The online service matches your food and exercise records to your specific targets given their weight, height and fitness levels.

The Fitbug also keeps in touch with you, via email and text. The texts remind you to visit the website and upload your stats, or encourage you to take just a few more steps. By email, you receive an individual weekly progress report and a 'letter from the Bug', which is a general newsletter from the website.

The technical specs

Fitbug is powered by a lithium battery, and lets you know when it's running down. You attach it to your PC (non-Mac compatible at the moment) with the supplied cable via a USB slot. It measures 6.6cm x 5cm x 2cm.

What's the best thing about it?

Having the website makes it really easy to keep track of progress. The different date views mean you can see at a glance how many days you reached your exercise goal, for example. The display of whether your food and exercise levels put you in the loss, gain or stay-the-same weight zone was beautifully simple. And as a vegetarian, I found it tremendously reassuring to see that my daily protein intake was absolutely fine.

What's the worst thing about it?

Although the food part has the main supermarkets, it sometimes classifies foods unnecessarily, eg Tesco blueberries, Asda blueberries... If you cook from scratch, entering all the ingredients in your casserole can be laborious. However, you can save it as a complete dish.

Anything else?

It's easy to wear about your person: small enough to put in a pocket, and it also has a strong clip and a hanging loop.

How much does it cost?

A 12-month plan including your Fitbug and everything you need to get started costs £84. After 12 months, membership will be charged at £6 a month. A three-month plan costs £49. Buy online at www.fitbug.com

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