What wearable tech should I buy and which fitness trackers are the best?

JUST a few years ago, it was assumed that tech nerds were basement-dwelling burger botherers with massive waistlines and non-existent social skills.

But the next generation of gadget mavens are more likely to be tracking their blood sugar levels than monitoring the inexorable growth of their burgeoning bellies.

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Silicon Valley has declared war on death and illness, with its brightest minds promising to make humans "a-mortal" by beating disease.

You can join this fight in a small way by using "wearable" technology to help you become fitter, happier and more productive.

This super-hot area of tech includes smartwatches, fitness trackers and all manner of gizmos designed to help you lead a better life.

We asked the retailer John Lewis to tell us about the coolest wearables and it showed us figures which demonstrate that sales of these gadgets soared by more than 500% during January.

Lucy O’Brien, junior buyer of mobile, photo and wearable technology at John Lewis said:

“We’re seeing growing interest in our fitness and activity trackers beyond the initial January health kick which shows that wearable technology is still gaining popularity, and not just amongst dedicated gym bunnies."

She told us about four wearables to "keep you on track for 2017:

Fitbit Charge 2

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"Make every beat count with which boasts a PurePulse heart rate, multi-sport modes, guided breathing sessions and stylish interchangeable bands.

"The interactive OLED display makes it easy to get your stats and with a battery life of up to 5 days, you can track day and night without needing a charge."

Apple Watch Series 2

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"As the first waterproof Apple Watch, the Apple Watch Series 2 is designed to keep users active, connected and motivated.

"Featuring built-in GPS and water-resistance to 50 meters, the design combines a lightning fast new dual-core processor with a screen that's twice as bright as previous models.

"Offering plenty of dedicated fitness apps, the built-in GPS measures users’ workout accurately recording distance, speed and pace whether they’re going for a run or a ride, they can leave their iPhone at home."

Withings Steel HR

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"This gadget enables users to , helping them establish their overall health when they're awake and asleep.

"Styled to look like an elegant watch and built to automatically track activity, recording walking, running, swimming and sleep uninterrupted by syncing it to the Withings Health Mate app."

Fitbit Alta

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" by delivering their fitness progress and sending real-life updates straight to their wrist.

"Lightweight, slim and elegant, this device tracks steps taken, distance covered, calories burned and exercise sessions, as well as their sleeping pattern to get the full picture of their health.

"When synced with a Smartphone, users can receive text, call and calendar notifications and set a silent alarm to help them wake up more naturally."