We're usually all for penny pinching, but when it comes to shrinking your waistline and improving your fitness, sometimes throwing down more dough can pay off big. Whether you aspire to shave seconds from your 5-K PR or lose those last 10 pounds, these eight products will make achieving your goals easier than ever.

Exercise-Monitoring Device

Tracking exercise progress can be a big motivator. For instance, using a pedometer specifically one with a daily step goal increased physical activity and decreased BMI and blood pressure in one Stanford University study. Pedometers priced as low as $20 and go up to $50 for wrist-strap versions.

A more intense runner, bicyclist or other athlete may want to invest a few hundred bucks in a GPS-enabled watch, which tracks your pace in addition to time and heart rate. "Paying attention to these numbers can help really build up your intensity and produce better results," says Jim White, RD, owner of Jim White Fitness and Nutrition Studios.

Food Scale

Your eyes may deceive you when it comes to properly portioning your food, but a scale won't. "When I first bought a food scale, I realized what I thought was 4 ounces was actually 6," White says. "A couple ounces more than you should be eating can add up big time in the long run." Most food scales cost less than $80, with some models as low as $20.

Heart Rate Monitor

Burning fat or boosting aerobic endurance requires keeping your heart rate in specific zones, so this gadget ensures all your workouts are as effective as possible. "We have a lot of clients who work out on their own and then realize they aren't pushing themselves enough," White says. The gizmo also prevents you from overdoing it. Runners can use the device to make sure they're taking their easy workouts as slow as they should be. Chest strap models, which tend to be more accurate, start at around $40 and can cost $100 or more.

Blender

Sipping fresh fruit juice or a smoothie can be a quick and easy way to fill up on vital nutrients, but many store- and restaurant-bought beverages are loaded with sugar. By blending your own you'll not only save money in the long run, but you can also control exactly what goes into your body. White uses a Vitamix ($449 and up) to make fresh juices. Holly Rigsby, an ACE-certified personal trainer and instructor at StreamFIT, loves the convenience of her Magic Bullet (about $100).

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Nine splurge-worthy health and fitness products