I was a bit skeptical when evaluating the Apple iPod Nano in terms of being a fitness tracking device. I was amazed at how accurately it managed pedometer and other related functions - plus it plays music and tells time!

First off, this thing is TINY. I have many other pedometers and tracking devices including the SlimCoach system. Compared with all of them, the iPod Nano is quite small. It's incredibly light. It easily fits in an armband or at your hip without being noticeable at all. This is perfect for yoga, walking, running, and any other activity.

Of course it plays music. We have the 16 gig 6th generation version and it fits a good selection of play lists for any type of activity we want. So we can make a heavy duty workout set, a gentle yoga set, and anything in between. This can be perfect for tuning out other people in the gym and getting your motivation levels just where you want them.

As a pedometer, this is spot on. I own several other pedometers including ones just as costly as this Nano. The Nano was absolutely perfect. In test after test the step count came out to the actual step count we took. I can't believe we paid as much as we did for other pedometers which ONLY counted steps. This one does that job and so much more.

Even better, many of the bikes and treadmills and other equipment units at our gym are iPod enabled. We simply plug our Nano into the bike, it reads our age and weight data, and we're good to go. Then when we get home we can load up all that data onto the free Nike website and track our progress, item by item. Even my more expensive units like the SlimCoach can't do that. The level of detail we get here is just fantastic.

If you buy the matching heart belt, you can get even more data brought in.

If you're into games and apps, you're probably going to be stymied by the small size here. Did I mention this screen is tiny? It's just not meant for that type of activity.

However, on the up side, there are some gorgeous clock faces you can get for free, including Kermit the Frog! I love several of them. Just buy an inexpensive band and this turns into an instant watch.

Certainly I still have my iTouch for app usage. This isn't meant to replace the bigger units. But in terms of a great fitness device that is portable, easy to use, carries music, and provides a wealth of data, I am thrilled with this. Highly recommended.

UPDATE: I can't find any way to calibrate the stride length for the nano. All the instructions say to use menu options which aren't appearing. Do those menu options only appear if you buy the optional shoe sensor? Is there any way to calibrate this without buying additional pieces of equipment?

I purchased this iPod Nano with my own funds for the purpose of doing this review.

Buy the Apple iPod Nano from Amazon.com


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