In this paper, we consider the problems of tracking an object in a real image. In evaluating these problems, we explore a new technique based on an active contour model commonly called a snake model, and propose the active bar models to represent target. Using this model, we simplified the target welection problems, reduced the search space of energy surface, and obtained the better performances than those of snake model. This approach improves the numerical stability and the tendency for points to bunch up and speed up the computational efficiency. Representing the object by active bar, we can easily obtain the zeroth, the first, and the second moment and it facilitates the target tracking. Finally, we present the good result for the visual tracking problem.