Run to the Beat
As a runner, you know the power of a pumped-up playlist to energize your workout. As a techie, you covet the best gadgets. So when it comes to legging it, you naturally want top-notch gear to play your music clearly and unobtrusively. That means a pair of earphones that fit as snugly as your sneakers, deliver rich sound, and perform well in buckets of sweat. And if a flailing arm has sent your iPhone tumbling down the treadmill one too many times, you know you want something wireless as well.
But before you sprint to the store, read our tips on finding The Best Headphones. You’ll want to consider which features are most important to you as an athlete. Is comfort, fit, price, sound quality, or style your priority?
Earphones for Exercise
For the gym, you’ll generally want earphones over headphones. They’re lighter, more resilient, and are often built for exercise. Even if you prefer the sound headphones offer, you’ll find that a good sweat can eat through most earcup pads quickly, and the extra bulk on your head is uncomfortable during a workout. This doesn’t mean you can’t use headphones for the gym. We’ve seen a few very good on-ear headphones designed to handle sweat, and clean up easily, like the Plantronic BackBeat Fit 500.
Bluetooth earphones let you listen to your music without running a wire to your smartphone. They’re pricier than wired earphones, but the convenience can be worth it. However, they need power to work, so you’ll want to keep an eye on battery life. Of course, if you keep your workouts to a few hours at most and charge your earphones when you get back from the gym, that won’t be a problem.
Cut the Cord Completely
Wire-free earphones have finally come into their own after a few shaky early years. There are now plenty of wire-free options that are relatively affordable, reliable, rugged, and sound good. Some models have additional fitness features like heart monitoring or vocal coaches, but the most important things you need for these to work during your workout is a sweatproof design and a secure fit. Fortunately, those aspects are pretty easy to find in this category. Check out our picks for The Best True Wireless Headphones for Running.
Wire-free earphones are consistently more expensive than their tethered wireless equivalents, but prices are steadily dropping. Several reliable models are well below $200, which is a big drop over last year. If that’s too high, you can still get very good standard Bluetooth earphones for less than $50.
Track Those Runs
Even if you’re averse to the intensity of running, walkers may reap similar benefits to runners, according to a study published in Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology, at least when it comes to blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, and heart disease. Regardless of your preferred activity, if you’re looking to quantify your workouts, consider adding one of the Best Fitness Trackers and The Best Heart Rate Monitors we’ve tested to your routine.
And once you’ve found the perfect pair, make sure to check out our 5 Easy Tips to Extend the Life of Your Headphones and 6 Ways You’re Using Your Headphones Wrong.
