HOUSTON – Sporting equipment sales in the U.S. are expected to reach $23 billion by the year 2016, according to an industry report.

With less than a week until the new year, getting in shape is on the minds of a lot of people. But before you start a new fitness routine, you need to get into gear.

Whether you're into running, swimming, Zumba or Crossfit, Local 2 has narrowed down the hot, must-have items to maximize your workout.

Sports Authority sales associate Jeff Schneider said fitness trackers are No. 1 on everybody's must-have list.

"Just off Black Friday alone, we can already tell that wearable technology is going to be big," Schneider said.

Schneider said Fitbit and Garmin are two of their best sellers, but with so many companies in the market and prices that can vary from $20 to well into the hundreds, he says doing your research will really pay off when deciding what model is right for you.

Some things to consider: What is your goal? If it's simply a lifestyle monitor, features like calories burned, elevation, step count and sleep quality may be enough.

If you like to take your workouts to the next level, you may want to consider speed/distance, heart rate and blood pressure monitoring.

Schneider said some are better for working out in groups or in a competition setting. He recommends the Fitbit for group activity.

"That's the one thing that sets it apart from the others. You can connect it with other people and really challenge yourself against your friends," said Schneider.

Another consideration: Wearability. No matter how good the device, if it's not comfortable and you're not wearing it, it's of no use. Most fitness devices are meant to be worn throughout the day. If you're at a computer all day and don't like the feel of a bracelet, some can be worn like a necklace or even clipped on.

What sport or activity do you prefer? Some waterproof units are great for swimming. Cyclists may be disappointed that step counters won't count their rides.

Remember some devices will have a shorter battery life then others.

While most trackers are compatible across multiple devices, it's important to check that your smartphone or tablet is compatible with the device you like.

"All of them come with an app for your phone and are downloadable to a computer," Schneider said. "That really helps gather information throughout the day. So they all do something a little different to really set themselves apart from everyone else."