This small, lightweight device clips to the waistline of your pants or skirt and measures the number of steps you take. You then connect the SportBrain to the SportPort (much like a PDA's synchronization cradle) to upload the day's activity data to the SportBrain Web site, which then provides a wide range of information.

Setting up the SportBrain was quick and easy. We connected to the SportBrain Web site and registered our device, which then provided us a personalized home page. We then clipped the SportBrain to our pants (near the hip, above the knee) and started walking. At the end of the day, we connected the SportPort to our telephone line, then snapped the SportBrain into the SportPort, which automatically dialed in to the SportBrain Web servers and uploaded our activity in a little over a minute.

We then logged onto our SportBrain home page to see our stats. The device monitors steps taken (whether you're walking or running) and translates that into distance covered (in miles) and calories burned. The site also offered a number of different graphs and snapshots of the most active sections of our day (which displayed the range of time, steps/mileage, and average speed). Additionally, you can set goals for yourself (the default is 10,000 steps) and work toward rewards (such as a SportBrain baseball cap).

The SportBrain won't fully replace a personal trainer (you'll still have to motivate yourself, though with some helpful prodding from the SportBrain Web site) and it's really geared toward the more casual exerciser (as opposed to a tri-athelete). But it's a fun and helpful gadget that can help keep you honest about your exercise routine.

Pros:
Easy operation; no connection to PC (only to phone line) Free Web-based service Detailed charting of activity provided on Web site

Cons:
Requires connection to the Internet Geared more to the casual exerciser