NEW YORK -- Most fitness trackers can measure a lot: steps taken, heart beats, sleep quality and workout performance.Thats a lot of data, but are they useful? It depends on what youre looking for. Those new to fitness might want something thats motivational, while those already active might want something sophisticated -- but not necessarily easy to use.Heres a look at fitness devices from four leading manufacturers. Microsofts Band 2 and Motorolas Moto 360 Sport were excluded from consideration in part because battery life was poor -- tough for marathons of more than four hours. Theres a risk your tracker will end up in a drawer after a few months, especially if you get it for free as a gift or as part of a corporate wellness program . Know what youre getting and how you might use it before buying or adding one to your gift list.The recommended devices all claim to be water resistant, so they can withstand sweat or rain. But only Garmins are designed for swimming and showering . And for Apple Watch, the protection doesnt extend to leather bands .---FOR THE BASICSFitbit is the market leader in wearable devices, thanks to its simplicity and wide range of offerings. At $130, the Fitbit Alta offers basic step tracking. The $200 Fitbit Blaze adds heart-rate monitoring and a larger screen. The $300 Fitbit Surge adds GPS for better pace and distance readings during outdoor workouts (though all-day step tracking doesnt use GPS to conserve battery).For running and cycling, the Blaze doesnt have GPS but borrows the one on your phone if you carry it.All three models come with automatic sleep monitoring. Just check Fitbits companion app to see how long and how well youve slept. A new feature reminds you to go to bed -- perhaps too gently, as its easy to overlook or ignore.All Fitbits have amazing battery life and can go for several days without a recharge. Their screens arent as vivid as what rivals offer, though the Blaze has color, a first for a Fitbit.One of Fitbits strengths lies in its community. If a friend has one, you can use Fitbits app to compete and nudge each other. As a result, Fitbits are good motivational device for those new to physical activity. Fitbits also sync with just about every device out there -- iPhones, Android, Windows and Macs.---FOR THE BUDGETSamsungs Gear Fit2 offers high-end features at roughly half the price of a top-line Fitbit: $180. This includes GPS for better distance monitoring during outdoor workouts. Theres automatic sleep tracking, too.The screen is more vivid than on Fitbits, but it can be tough to read in direct sunlight. Youll need to crank up the brightness, which is fine, as the battery should still last six or seven hours with GPS use (and a few days without). The Fit2 also tracks squats, lunges and other strength exercises -- rare in a tracker.While the Fitbit Blaze and the Surge notify you of missed calls and messages on your phone, the capabilities are poor compared with smartwatches. The Fit2 does better by offering limited message replies from the device, but it doesnt offer the app choices that smartwatches do.An Android phone -- not necessarily Samsungs -- is required for full functionality. No iPhones or PCs. You can compete with other users of Samsungs S Health app -- not just Fit2 owners -- but the community isnt as vibrant as Fitbits.Unfortunately, a bike frame or a backpack can easily knock the device off your wrist. The Fit2s price is nice -- but not if you need to buy a replacement.---FOR THE PERFORMANCEMost fitness trackers are designed for general fitness needs and offer little customization for power users.Garmins Vivoactive is the exception, at $220 for the base model and $250 for the newer HR version with heart-rate monitoring. Both have GPS, automatic sleep tracking and some phone notifications. They sync with a variety of devices, as with Fitbits.Both Vivoactive models combine the best of Garmins stand-alone gadgets for running, golfing and other sports. Runners are able to record times after each lap on a track, while other fitness devices typically limit you to auto-intervals every mile or so.There are still times youll need a dedicated device. Swimming on the Vivoactive, for instance, is limited to the pool, while the $450 Forerunner 735XT allows open-water tracking.Neither Vivoactive model has a fancy screen, but that improves readability in sunlight and extends battery life -- plenty even for super-slow marathons. The devices are bulky for all-day wearing. Garmin is about performance, not fashion. And in another tradeoff for added functionality, Garmins app isnt as easy to navigate as Fitbits.---FOR THE LIFESTYLEAt $300 or more, the Apple Watch is for those who want more than fitness on their wrist -- such as turn-by-turn navigation, or the latest weather. You need to carry an iPhone for full functionality.Apple Watch doesnt have GPS, though it will borrow the phones GPS readings if you run, walk or bike with it. This also calibrates the watch so that you can leave the phone home after a few workouts (sorry, calibration doesnt work for cycling). Unlike the Blaze, the watch wont record your specific route without a third-party app.Youre given goals on minutes to exercise and calories to burn -- customized based on your sex, age, weight, height and current fitness level. Apple Watch will prompt you to adjust goals that you consistently meet or miss. On rival devices, you typically have to take the initiative to go through those settings.Although Apple Watch isnt alone in offering reminders to take breaks and walk around, its more effective than rivals by turning it into a game. Do it 12 times throughout the day to complete a blue circle.Apple Watch requires a nightly recharge and isnt designed for tracking sleep, though third-party sleep apps are available. The battery runs out after 4.5 hours to five hours in a marathon, but you can extend its life by disabling heart-rate monitoring during workouts.This fall, Apple plans to release an app designed to reduce stress by guiding you through deep-breathing exercises -- offering a new approach to fitness.---Online:Do you need a tracker?: http://apne.ws/2acYuX0 Cheap Blues Jerseys . But the quarterback hopes to stay involved in football after officially calling it quits Tuesday. "Id love to look at those opportunities as they arise," Pierce said in an interview from his Winnipeg eatery. Brett Hull Jersey . The Clippers were angry about blowing a big lead; the Kings didnt like being in that kind of hole and nearly digging themselves out only to lose. http://www.cheapstlouisbluesjerseys.com/?tag=adidas-colton-parayko-jersey . Its 1987 and a Brazilian playmaker, known as Mirandinha, is being paraded around St James Park to the passionate Newcastle fans. Robert Bortuzzo Jersey . 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But Brian VanGorder, who has bounced from colleges to the NFL and back, hasnt coached a shutdown defense since he was at Georgia in the early 2000s.And Sept. 26 is way, way too early to fire two head coaches. In the case of Les Miles, whom LSU fired with a record of 114-34 (.770) and one national championship because he didnt perform well enough to suit the suits, it defies belief.1. I suppose this awards the title of Americas Interim Coach to Ed Orgeron, who won the hearts of the USC locker room in leading the Trojans to a 6-1 record in 2013. He just didnt win the full-time job. Orgeron flamed out as head coach at Ole Miss for three tumultuous seasons a decade ago; barring a complete turnaround by the Tiger offense, Orgeron, a Louisiana native, will be a long-shot candidate to replace Miles. Let the Tom Herman sweepstakes begin. Even if Houston is asked to join the Big 12, Herman -- and all but a handful of head coaches -- would have to take a long look at LSU, with its unlimited resources and as the only Power 5 Conference member in a talent-rich state.2. The firing of Ron Turner by FIU four games -- four losses -- into the season shines a light on one impressive aspect of Turners career. Not that, with a career record of 52-91, he has a Sugar Bowl season in there (Turners Illinois team went to New Orleans in 2002). But that he managed to have a career record below .500 and had coached more than 10 seasons. In fact, that list was trimmed from five to three this weekend. Now that Baylor is 5-0, Jim Grobes career record has risen to 115-115-1. That leaves only David Bailiff of Rice, Bob Davie of New Mexico and Doug Martin of New Mexico State.3. UCLA held No. 7 Stanford to 280 yards and three field goals until the Cardinal took possession at their 30 with 2:05 to play. 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