We are living in a golden age of technology. Everything, it seems, is connected to an app, “the cloud” or some device strapped to your wrist — sometimes all three at once. This high-tech renaissance has been especially beneficial to those seeking to improve their health, with hundreds of apps available to track virtually every aspect of your body’s functions.

Tracking your steps, calories and other activities can help you tailor a workout regimen to your own unique needs. Better yet, it allows you to see whether the routine you’re currently doing is actually working. Knowing how many steps you took yesterday or how many calories you burned also gives you a way to set and exceed goals, which may just give you the motivation you need to stick with your exercise plan longer.

Of course, with so many apps and devices out there, some are better than others. Here are a few we at Hiland Dairy recommend:

Apps

• Charity Miles — This free app lets you earn money for charities every time you exercise. Available for iOS and Android.
• Fitbit — In addition to making activity-tracking devices, Fitbit offers a free app too that uses your smartphone’s internal sensors to track your steps and other activities. Available for iOS and Android.
• Lose It! — This free app is designed for people interested in counting calories and losing weight. Lose It! also features a community of users who help each other meet their weight-loss goals. Available for iOS and Android.
• Nike+ Run Club — This app tracks your runs, including pace, location, distance, elevation, heart rate and mile splits. Available for iOS and Android.

Devices

• Fitbit — These devices fit on your wrist like a watch (they tell the time, too) and give you feedback on your heart rate, steps and calories burned. They even track how long and how well you sleep.
• Apple Watch — This device does pretty much everything the Fitbit does, plus a whole lot more. Of course, it costs more, too, so you’ll have to keep that in mind when choosing your device.
• Microsoft Band — As with the other devices mentioned, this sleek device tracks your activity. It even has sensors that measure the sun’s intensity so you don’t get sunburned on that long run. Works with iOS, Android and Windows smartphones.
• Jawbone — This brand offers a wide range of devices, ranging from an inexpensive clip-on model to several wrist models that could be mistaken for modern jewelry. The features differ, but most track steps, calories and sleep.