The best headphones for working out at the gym Introduced
Aug 30,2023 | David
Want to know which headphones are better for listening to music while working out? In-ear earphones or headphones? Starting with the reasons why it is considered better to use in-ear headphones rather than headphones when training, this article will detail the criteria and recommended items that should be considered when choosing headphones.
Is it better to wear headphones or In-ear earphones when working out at the gym?
Here are the contents
1. Disadvantages of earphones for exercising
1.1 Large size, easy to get in the way
1.2 Ears sweat easily and get stuffy
1.3 Difficult to change music while exercising
2. It is also true that some people like to wear earphones!
3. How to choose headphones for weight training and gym use
3.1 Choose a wireless headset
3.2 Try to choose waterproof products
3.3 Choose products with larger ear cushions
3.4 Consider charging time and battery life
4. A new alternative to headphones and earbuds
5. 13 recommended headphones for working out
If you want to listen to music while working out, which is better, headphones or in-ear earphones?
In short, both are recommended and you can use whichever you prefer.
Look around the gym, most people working out are listening to music on headphones and a few people are wearing earbuds.
Of course, you can argue that headphones are better for aerobic activities like running. However, in-ear headphones are also recommended for strength training and weight training.
Once you understand the disadvantages, you should be able to use a headset more comfortably.
The disadvantages of using headphones for working out | Why are in-ear headphones better?
The vast majority of people use headphones to listen to music while working out. Many people wonder why headphones are bad.
Some people may think that over-ear headphones are better because they are more stylish.
Here I will explain why headphones are not recommended for listening to music while exercising.
To create a comfortable muscle training environment, it is important to identify potential headphone problems.
Headphone Problems
1. Too big and can easily interfere with movement
2. Ears feel clogged after long periods of use
3. Headphones tend to slip off during exercise
1. Large size, easy to get in the way
One of the differences between headphones and earphones is the size. As we can see, headphones are larger than earphones.
Lightweight/compact wireless headphones are now available, but the ear cushions that cover the ears are large, which can be cumbersome when working out muscles.
Headphones are a big obstacle, especially with abs and dumbbells, where the arms go over the head for abs and the sides of the head for dumbbells.
In addition, headphones have an arch that connects the ears, and if your hand touches the arch, you risk dislodging or breaking the headphones, which could prevent you from concentrating on your workout.
2. Ears tend to get clogged with sweat
The headphones are shaped like ear pads, which are the spongy parts that cover your ears.
The advantage of ear tips is that there is no gap in the middle when they fit your ears, which improves sound quality and prevents sound leakage.
However, if you continue to wear them while exercising and sweating, your ears will feel hot and sticky from sweat, it’s uncomfortable.
Smooth earmuffs have recently come on the market to prevent ear congestion, but sweating during a workout is not the same as it used to be. Even with smooth earmuffs, it's hard to keep your ears from getting stuffy.
3. Easy to move during working out
The headphones are stabilized by adjusting the bow, but when listening to music, it's important to have a fit that's neither too tight nor too loose. Especially during muscle training, there's a lot of head shaking and full-body movement. If the earphones are not securely attached, they will inevitably slip out.
If the headphones slip out, you are bound to be distracted and unable to concentrate on your workout. The distraction of misplaced headphones can also lead to unexpected accidents.
However, some people prefer to wear headphones for working out instead of earphones.
If you look at the headsets people wear in the gym, you will see that most people choose headphones.
Headphones are better at blocking out noise than earphones, so you can more focus on your world. Also, some people choose headphones because they look sleek and cool.
From what I've seen at the gym, there is a segment of the population that has a soft spot for over-ear headphones.
How to choose headphones for working out and the gym
For those who want to listen to music on headphones instead of earbuds while working out, choosing the right product is important.
The most important thing is to choose products that will not interfere with your workout, rather than just choosing a favorite style without considering the actual use.
So, next, I will explain how to choose the best headphones for training and doing muscle-building workouts.
How to Choose Headphones for working out
1. Choosing wireless headphones
2. Choose waterproof products as much as possible
3. Choose a product with larger ear cushions
1. Select Wireless Headphones
One reason headphones aren't ideal for training is that they're too bulky or have cables that get in the way. Since a certain amount of bulk is unavoidable, you can go for the least intrusive wireless earbuds.
In muscle training, you'll do a variety of movements, so wired headphones can often get in the way. There is also a risk of the power cord becoming tangled and causing an accident.
With wireless headphones, you can train while moving freely without having to worry about wires. Even wireless headphones these days have high-quality sound and a long lifespan on a charge, so you can train comfortably for long periods.
2. Choose waterproof earphones as much as possible
If the headphones are not waterproof, sweat getting inside the earphones will cause the earphones to malfunction.
When muscles are trained, they sweat profusely. If you are going to wear headphones, it is very important to choose waterproof headphones.
The waterproof grade is "IPX6" or "IPX8". The larger the number, the higher the waterproof level. Products rated IPX4 or higher are not easily damaged even by sweating.
When purchasing, please check the waterproof rating.
3. Choose a product with larger ear pads
One of the things that bother me when I'm training with headphones is that my ears get progressively hot. The ear pads of the headphones cover the entire ear, so the ear will feel stuffy.
Choosing headphones with large ear pads is an effective way to reduce ear stuffiness. The pads don't stick too tightly to your ears, so you won’t feel stuffy.
You might think the oversized ear pads will hinder your training, but that's better than the discomfort of the heat. So I recommend going with larger ear pads as they won't discomfort.
4. Consider charging time and battery life
In addition to the battery's ability to last while training, you don't have to worry about forgetting to charge it if it lasts for several days on a single charge.
For example, if you plan to train for 1 hour per day, then a 10-hour headset will get you going for about 10 days without charge.
Plus, even if you forget to charge it, if your headphone support fast charging, theywill charge to 50% in about 10 minutes, so you can use them even when you need to train urgently.
5. A new alternative to headphones and in-ear earphones
Headphones and in-ear earphones are well-known types of headphones. In addition to these two common headphones, there are also bone conduction headphones.
Bone conduction headphones are a special type of headphones that transmit sound not by being inserted into the ear, but by transferring vibrations to the temporal bone, which then reaches the inner ear. The headphones can keep users’ ears keep open so can hear surrounding sounds.
So bone conduction headphones are especially good for working out because they allow you to enjoy music and maintain awareness of your environment at the same time. For avoiding damage to the eardrum bone conduction headphone is a good choice.
13 Recommended Headphones for working out | Popular products that can be used comfortably at the gym.
Working out while listening to music can reduce your attention to the outside world, so you can better focus on muscle training.
After reading the above, you may have some ideas on how to choose the best headphones for training. But in the actual selection, it may still be difficult to decide.
I'll recommend a few headphones that are comfortable to use even while working out. Choose the headphones you are satisfied with and enjoy a fun muscle training life.
1. Wissonly Hi Runner Bone Conduction Headphone
Wissonly Hi Runner bone conduction headphone/5.0 Bluetooth/32g memory/IPX8 waterproof
Wissonly bone conduction headphones are one of the few headphones with core bone conduction technology that can support any fitness scene. It has an IPX8 waterproof rating and even can work under 20 meters of water, so this headphone can be used as a swimming headphone in addition to being used as an ordinary fitness headphone.
This headphone feature an "ergonomic three-point support structure" with three points at the temples, auricles, and the back of the head for a stable fit. Their body weight is 28 grams, and there is no sense of weight when worn, and the surface of the headphones is made of soft and skin-friendly silicone material, which is soft to the touch and will not discomfort when worn for a long time. It with a built-in 32G memory, which can save 5000 pieces of music. Both a powerful MP3 player and an advanced Bluetooth headphone.
The Wissonly Hi Runner model has the best listening experience, with clear sound and powerful volume. They have a built-in reverse sound wave system and a fully enclosed body design, which can reduce sound leakage by 90%. At the same time, they also apply magnetic charging technology, which can be fully charged within 2 hours, and can be used continuously for 10 hours after being fully charged.It is a good headphones for working out
2. SHOKZ OpenRun
SHOKZ OpenRun Bone Conduction In-Ear Wireless Bluetooth Headphones/AS800 (Cosmic Black)
These wireless headphones from SHOKZ OpenRun are ready for the gym. They are designed to be light and compact, with a body weight of only 26 grams.
It’s IP67 rated for dust and water resistance and has a noise-canceling microphone for comfortable hands-free calling.
The battery can run continuously for about 8 hours after fully charged.
3. DACOM BoneBuds
DACOM Bone Conduction Headphones/Wireless/Sports Open Earbuds/Bluetooth 5.0 Headphones/Type-C Charging/Touch Control/Binaural Separate Left and Right Headphones/With Microphone/IPX5 Waterproof/Technical Rival PSE Certification
This wireless headset is DACOM's dedicated wireless headset for the gym.
In addition to the ultra-compact and lightweight design with a body weight of only 13 grams, this bone conduction headset is also IPX5 waterproof.
The earbuds have a long battery life, with five hours of use on a full charge and 12.5 hours of operation with the charging case.
4. Bose Sport Earbuds
Bose Sports Earbuds/Full Wireless Headphones/Bluetooth Connection/With Microphone/Up to 5+10 Hours Playback/Touch Control/Splash Resistant/Triple Layer Black
The Bose Sport Earbuds are fully wireless Bose fitness earbuds designed to handle high-intensity activities with ease.
The headset features the StayHear Max tip, the manufacturer's proprietary acoustic port design. They deliver lifelike sound and feature a flexible, easy-to-fit "wing structure" that securely holds the earbuds in place on your ears.
5. JBL Endurance Peak II
JBL ENDURANCE PEAK2 Bluetooth Sports Full Wireless/Earhook/USB Type C/IPX7 Waterproof
This JBL fitness headset has the advanced waterproof performance of IPX7.
These headphones are built to withstand the rain and sweat of exercise. They feature "Twist Lock" ear tips that fit securely in your ears and won't fall out, even during strenuous exercise.
They are also ergonomic "Flex Soft" ear tips that are very gentle on the ears.
6. Beats Powerbeats Pro
The Powerbeats Pro is a sleek line of fitness headphones from Beats that come in a sleek dark orange with a soft profile.
The photogenic design looks great at the gym and the durable earhook shape is perfect for intense workouts.
Their long battery life, with up to nine hours of playback on a full charge, is also a big plus.
7. Anker Soundcore Life A2 NC
Anker Soundcore Life A2 NC (Wireless Bluetooth Headphones) [Full Wireless Headphones/Compatible with Bluetooth 5.0/Super Noise Cancellation/External Environmental Sound Capture/IPX5 Waterproof Level/Up to 35 Hours of Music Playback/Compatible with Dedicated Apps/Call Noise Cancellation/ Meets PSE technical standards
The Soundcore Life A2 NC is a pair of gym-ready headphones from Anker that feature three noise-canceling modes.
Stylishly designed in chic black, the softly shaped special housing features a convenient external sound capture feature that lets you hear what's going on around you.
8. Sony WI-SP500
SONY Wireless Stereo Headphones/with Mic
These Sony wireless headphones are gym-ready and offer up to 8 hours of continuous playback.
It's an open-back headphone that lets you listen to your surroundings while wearing it, and it's a wireless model that has non-slip ear tips so it's easier to wear.
Their IPX4 splash resistance is also very practical.
9. SOUNDPEATS Q30
[Compatible with aptX HD & AAC] Bluetooth headset 14 hours continuous playback/wireless headset/IPX7 waterproof/QCC3034 chip/CVC8.0 call noise reduction/sports headset/10mm dynamic driver
Designed for use at the gym, these wireless headphones from Soundpeats feature 10mm dynamic drivers for deep, bass-heavy sound.
The headset has a built-in battery that can run continuously for up to 14 hours and is waterproof to IPX7.
They are left and right all-in-one headphones compatible with low-latency codecs AAC and aptX HD.
10. JVC HA-XC10BT
Bluetooth Headphones XX Series/Subwoofer/Waterproof, Dustproof, and Shockproof/Neck-mounted/15 Hours Continuous Play Black HA-XC10BT-B
These JVC wireless headphones are ready for use in the sports gym. They feature a "TRIPLE PROOF" rugged body that is dust and water-resistant up to IP55.
They have a stylish design and are available in a variety of vibrant colors to add color to sports scenes. Its battery life is long, with about 15 hours of continuous playback on a full charge.
11. Sony WH-1000XM5
"Sony Wireless Noise Canceling Stereo Headphones WH-1000XM5" is equipped with excellent noise canceling technology, which can effectively cancel noise, allowing you to maximize your concentration during training. Wear them to immerse yourself in your world without worrying about noise or outside distractions in the gym or training room.
In addition, a newly developed driver unit reproduces rich sound from low frequencies to high frequencies.
The construction also effectively blocks out wind noise, so you can keep talking while training your muscles.
With a full charge, they can play continuously for 40 hours, so they are recommended for those who want smooth communication during long training sessions.
12. audio-technica ATH-S220BT
The ear pads of the "audio-technica ATH-S220BT" wireless headphones are gentle on the ears and prevent sound leakage. The fit is secure even during intense activity, and the gentle comfort reduces ear fatigue.
It also offers up to 60 hours of playback time.
Plus, their earpads are designed to conform to the shape of your head and weigh only about 180 grams. This reduces neck and shoulder stiffness for a comfortable fit.
Recommended for anyone looking to improve concentration during training.
13. Anker Soundcore Life Q30
Anker Soundcore Life Q30 is Anker's earphones, and it is a popular product that continues to be popular.
The memory foam earcups and headband provide a snug fit and are comfortable to wear for extended periods. Their fit is not too tight, which helps to distribute heat and reduce stuffiness during training.
Plus, since they're wireless, they don't interfere with exercise and are great for training.
They're ideal for anyone worried about vapors from earmuffs.
Focus on working out with headphones!
To enjoy and focus on muscle training, it is very important to choose music-listening items and headphones.
IEMs are more suitable for training than headphones, but if you want to use headphones for working out, there are other points to consider, such as waterproof function/wireless/ear pad size, etc.
Please refer to our recommendations to choose the earphones you can use for training so that you can enjoy your muscle training life. Bone conduction headphones for both music and ambient sound are a good choice if you want to buy bone conduction headphones Wissonly Hi Runner can meet all your needs.