The best fitness bands, trackers and apps

The Fitbit Surge tracks your distance, pace and elevation climbed. Heart rate is continuously measured and if you change sports, the Fitbit recognises this and starts tracking the new sport. It even knows when you have nodded off to sleep and tracks that too.

The Microsoft Band 2 lets you set personalised goals and helps with guided workouts to help you achieve these goals. There is a continual heart rate monitor, sleep monitor, and calorie burn tracker. Map your run with GPS and get email, call and calendar alerts on the go. You can even control music from the band. The band connects to Widows Phone 8.1, Android and iPhone 5 and 6.

The Basis Peak is a fitness, heart rate and sleep tracker. It tracks your heart rate without needing a chest strap, and works with an app for iOS or Android. It tracks the duration and deep sleep stages to help you reach your goals and improve your sleep. Notifications for texts, calls emails and habits make this a great wearable.

The TomTom Runner lets you see real time running information such as run time, distance, and pace. You can compare your run with your past performances and log your runs inside on a treadmill. If running is your main focus and you do not want any of the extras from other wearables, then this watch will give you everything you need.

Monitor your calorie intake and your exercise with the MyFitnessPal app. Scan store foods using the barcode reader for accurate calorie counting. Connect the app to trackers such as Garmin connect, Jawbone UP, Fitbit, UA band, and Polar watches to get an integrated view of your new lifestyle. It has apps for Windows, Android, iPhone and iPad.

The Nike+ Training Club app gives you over 100 workouts to train and motivate you. You can share your workout with your network and customise your workouts to suit you. Integrate Nike+ Running to help you reach your goals more quickly.

Strava has a GPS Cycling and running app which lets you track your running and riding activities. It is available for iOS and Android. You can upload your activities from your phone, Garmin, Fitbit, Microsoft Band etc. and Strava will log your workouts.

If you follow the couch to 5k plan exactly, you will be able to run 5k in nine weeks. It works - even for people like me who had never thought that they could ever run 5k without stopping. This staged walk / run approach means that you will be able to succeed. You will be amazed that it will work even if you think you are a couch potato. Integration with Apple watch is a nice touch. It is available for iOS and Android.