For some people, the thrill of a lung-clearing hike or a thigh-burning run is enough to get them out day after day. The rest of us sometimes need an extra push.

That’s where gadgets can help.

“Gadgetry helps some people stay motivated,” said Teague Hatfield, the owner of FootZone in Bend, citing their ability to track distance and length of workouts.

Pedometers have long been the primary motivational gadget. These days, pedometers have gone high-tech. No longer just step counters, today’s devices perform a variety of functions, from hooking you up with online communities to tracking your weekly mileage.

You can set goals with other runner friends, log your progress and keep track of how fast you’re running — all this with devices not much bigger than a standard watch.

“You get almost instant feedback,” said Kyle Will, owner of WillRace Performance Training Studio in Bend. That can be especially helpful for people in training, he said. Runners “trying to average a 7-minute mile, they know pretty darn quick if they are on that pace.”

Will cautions against novice exercisers using very sophisticated pedometers, often called fitness trackers, as the amount of information can be overwhelming. But for more experienced athletes, those on a very directed training program or statistics junkies, they can be helpful.

Here are a few of the latest, tech-iest offerings for both serious runners and those who only go out every once in a while.

Nike Sportband

MSRP: $59

Where to buy: Fleet Feet Sports, FootZone, www.nike.com

The Sportband looks like a traditional wristwatch but does so much more. Using a sensor that attaches to a running shoe, the band tracks distance, pace, time and calories burned and displays these stats while you run.

Then, when you get home, remove the face of the band and plug it into your computer’s USB port to download your workout and track progress over time.

The Web site allows you to connect with an online community of runners, or share stats with your friends.

The Sportband is a popular product, especially for recreational runners, said Rod Bien, owner of Fleet Feet Sports in Bend. With many of the features of more expensive fitness trackers and a lower price, he said, “you get a lot of bang for your buck.”

Omron GOSmart Dual Axis Pocket Pedometer HJ-720ITC

MSRP: $59.99

Where to buy: www.omronwebstore.com. Rite Aid and REI also sell Omron products.

More like a souped-up traditional pedometer, this device measures steps, distance and calories burned. It fits in a pocket and stores a week of information in its display, with more stored in the memory.

Though it has many of the same features as traditional pedometers, the HJ-720ITC is included here because it can be used with a computer and the company’s software to track fitness progress over weeks or years. (From the user’s manual, however, it appears the software is not compatible with a Mac computer.)

As with other trackers, you can graph your activity and track your progress. This device, however, does not yet include the ability to easily share your progress with others or link to an online community.

Garmin Forerunner

MSRP: $149 to $369

Where to buy: Fleet Feet Sports, FootZone, www.garmin.com

The same company that brought you the GPS car navigation system now lets you take that same technology out on your run. Or your bike ride. Or your hike.

The beauty of using GPS technology is that it does not depend on tracking cadence as a traditional pedometer would. Not only does this make the device a bit more accurate, it allows you to map your route and record extras such as elevation gain or loss.

An antenna that connects to your computer automatically syncs your most recent workout information when the device gets in range of the computer, rather than relying on you to plug the device in. “It’s one less extra step, I love that about it,” said Bien.

The Forerunner comes in a variety of models; Bien said the most popular are the series 310XT and 405CX. With all the bells and whistles, these devices are not for the novice, said Bien. But if you’re serious about your workouts, it doesn’t get much better. “I’ve had a million different gadgets,” he said. “It’s the best running gadget I’ve ever had in my life.”

Apple/Nike Sport Kit

MSRP: $29

Where to buy: www.apple.com, Best Buy, Radioshack, Connecting Point, Fleet Feet SportsTK, FootZone

Got an iPod or iPhone? Got running shoes? Use this device to connect the two and turn your iPod into a workout machine.

Warning: It doesn’t work with all iPods. But, if you have a newer nano or iPod Touch or iPhone 3GS, you can cheaply turn your existing equipment into a workout tracker.

The sensor attaches to your shoe to track your stride and pace. As you are into your workout, a voice updates you on your progress. One of the most popular features is a “Power Song,” a particularly motivating song you choose and summon at will using a button on the iPod.

As with other devices, the Sport Kit can be synched on a home computer. You can invite friends to challenges or track your own workouts.

If you have to buy a new iPod, this could get kind of expensive. But if you have the iPod anyway and want a cheap way to track workouts, the Sport Kit could be for you.

fitbit

MSRP: $99

Where to buy: www.fitbit.com

The fitbit is one of the latest obsessions of the got-to-have-the-newest-and-coolest crowd. In fact, right now, the company says, they are out of products, with the next shipment set to go out in the middle of this month.

The advantage of the fitbit over other gadgets is its emphasis on tracking activity in a user’s entire life. The tiny device is meant to be worn all day and records the amount of time you are sedentary, active and asleep.

Using a 3-D motion sensor, similar to the one on a Nintendo Wii, the device records and allows you to graph different levels of activity during the day. During sleep, a wristband monitors your sleep patterns and scores how efficient a sleeper you are, measured by the amount of movement during the night. If you input it, the accompanying Web site will also track your diet, with the idea of giving you a breakdown of a number of aspects that affect your health.

iPod nano

MSRP: $149 (8GB)

Where to buy: www.apple.com and many retail stores where Apple products are sold

The newest iPod nanos come with a pedometer. That’s right, the same device that holds your music can now keep your exercise log too.

A sensor built into the new nano records steps taken, distance walked and, if you give it your weight, will estimate calories burned. You can create daily fitness goals or switch the device to “Always On” to have it track the cumulative steps you walk each day.

It’s not as sophisticated as some other fitness trackers. Then again, most fitness trackers don’t hold 7,000 songs.