Headphones for Working Out: Guide on all you must Know

Exercising takes diligence and dedication. Every time your body wants to give up you need to push it beyond its limits. This is difficult to do when there is nothing to motivate you. And what is a better motivator than music through some good headphones for working out or running? Well, let’s find out all that you need to know

Since music works as a motivator for a smooth working out, we discuss all you need to know to get good headphones for working out or running.

Does listening to music motivate workout exercise? Psychologists found out that many people who are enthusiastic about exercising find that music is a great motivator.

Listening to your favorite song provides you with a rhythm that gets you going harder and longer. This is why you will spot many people exercising with a pair of headphones on.

The following are the best 3 headsets that we found appropriate for working out;

How to choose headphones for working out: Factors to Consider

Let us first know; can you exercise with headphones or earphones on? Yes, you can. In fact, it is encouraged. There is no reason why you shouldn’t work out with headphones on. However, you need to pick your workout headphones well. Here is everything you need to know before you go shopping.

Your workout headphones can either motivate or distract you. This is why you should be keen to ensure that they are ideal for your needs. Here are some factors to consider:

1. Exercising Environment

Where do your workout? Is it at a noisy gym, in your home, or out on hiking trails? Wherever it is, your workout headphones should be adaptable.

There are many factors to consider here. If you exercise outdoors you need to think about factors such as the weather and external noises. If you exercise indoors there are also other factors to take into consideration such as interaction with other people.

At the end of the day, your headphones for working should adapt to all the factors that are associated with your workout environments.

2. Fit and Comfort

It is annoying when your headphones slip out of place or fall off as you are workout out, isn’t it? That is why in a comprehensive article, we explored comfort as one of the factors to consider when buying Bluetooth or wireless headphones. Confort can interfere with your workout.

Feeling comfy is why It is one of those things that get in the way of your workout. This is why your headphones should fit perfectly – neither too big nor too small.

You also need to feel comfortable when working out. Your headphones should feel just right – they shouldn’t be too tight, too loose, too big, and any other extreme that doesn’t sit right with you.

3. Transmission – Wired or Wireless?

There is something to be said for both wired and wireless headphones. Wired headphones boast of superior audio quality and unlimited listening time. Their downside is that the wire cable often gets entangled and becomes a distraction.

Wireless headphones are also climbing up the ladder when it comes to audio quality. They are also convenient for exercising as you don’t have to worry about keeping the cable straight and free.

4. Sweat and Water Resistance

It is inevitable to sweat when exercising – if you don’t you may need to see a doctor. Sweating can ruin your headphones if it seeps into the earbuds or ear-cups. It is also awfully uncomfortable. This is why all workout headphones should be sweat-resistant.

It wouldn’t hurt to go the extra mile and ensure that your headphones are also water-resistant. Picture yourself running outdoors and then it starts raining: your headphones would be ruined, or worse, electrocute you. Swimmers also need headphones.

5. Extra Features

Your workout headphones should be able to cater to more than just your music needs. What if someone calls you? It would be distracting to stop and get out of your phone. This is why extra features such as a microphone should be on your list of factors to consider.

Other useful features include in-ear voice coaching for your workout routines, voice command control, and multipoint technology.

Over-ear Headphones vs Earbuds for working out

There are two types of headphones: over-ear headphones and earbuds. Over-ear headphones are the sort that covers your entire earlobes and sits atop your head. Ear-buds are the sort that is inserted into the ear canal.

Are headphones or earbuds better for working out?

Both types come with certain conveniences and inconveniences for exercising. Here is an insight into how each type fairs when it comes to the aforementioned consideration factors:

Fitting on the ear

Ear-buds tend to score better when it comes to fit. They are fitted inside the ear canal, so there is less probability that they will fall off while you’re exercising. However, you may need to use a set of wings to ensure that they fit just well. You may also need to customize the buds so that they are neither too big nor too small.

If used as headphones for working out or running, over-ear headsets are bulky and thus tend to fall off. The only solution to this is to tighten the headband, but that compromises comfort. 

Their Comfort

Comfort depends on the quality of headphones or earbuds you choose. Ear-buds should fit just right because if they are too big then your ear canal will ache before long. The buds should also be made of soft material.

On the other hand, over-ear headphones, shouldn’t be too tight or else your temple and earlobes will begin hurting – however, there is the question of fit when it comes to over-ear headphones.

Sweat Resistance

Again, sweat resistance for both headphones and earbuds depends on quality. Headphones should have specialized ear-cups while earbuds should be covered all-round.

Audio Quality

It is general knowledge that over-ear headphones relay better audio compared to earbuds. However, there is the issue of noise cancellation and isolation to consider.

If you tend to work outdoors and need to be aware of your surroundings you will need open-back headphones that let you hear whatever is going on. Earbuds mostly have excellent noise-cancellation capabilities and are thus ideal for exercising in a noisy gym.

Wired vs Wireless headphones which is better for running

The fact is that most people prefer wireless headphones to wired ones. It is not only considered chic but also convenient. There are many arguments to make for wireless headphones.

Convenience is one of the key points of wireless technology. You don’t have to worry about entangled wires when using wireless headphones for working out. This gets in the way of exercising as you have to stop to get yourself free – it is a buzz kill.

There are other conveniences as well including the ability to pick phone calls remotely and automatically and make voice commands while still exercising.

Wired headphones, on the other hand, boast superior quality audio. There is no muffling or static. The music is especially enjoyable if they support EQ balancing. You also don’t have to worry about how long the music will last as they get their power directly from the streaming device.

To be fair to wireless headphones, however, it should be noted that some can last for up to 30 hours on a single charge, and wireless earbuds go for up to 6 hours.

Verdict: Considering that exercising is a strenuous activity that involves a lot of physical activity, it is advisable to go with wireless headphones as a wired one is bound to become tangled.

Running with Over-Ear Headphones – all you need to Know

Most runners prefer to dress as light as possible. This is why the thought of running while wearing over-ear headphones doesn’t seem appealing to most readers now. But many runners don’t mind, and this is because over-ear headphones have a lot to offer:

1. Comfort

Over-ear headphones can be more comfortable than in-ear ones. This is because they fit almost everyone as you don’t have to worry about the size of your ear canal.

They sit comfortably around your earlobes so you don’t have to worry about fatigue and pressure. They are also lined with soft cushion layers in both ear-cups as well as the headband so that they feel gentle on your temple.  

It should also be noted that most workout over-ear headphones are designed to be water and sweat resistant.

2. Superior Audio Quality

It is common knowledge that over-ear headphones sound better than earbuds. They have more room and thus house better speakers. You get finer tunes without the muffling or static. They also have advanced capabilities such as noise cancelation and EQ balancing. This makes running much more enjoyable.

3. Long Battery Life

Wireless over-ear headphones can last for up to 30 hours on a single charge. This means that you can exercise for as long as you want without worrying about running out of juice.

Wearing Over-Ear Headphones when Working Out

Over-ear headphones are also great for doing other kinds of exercises apart from running, just as long as you choose them well. Here are some of the factors that really matter:

• Fit

Many exercises are strenuous and soon you find your head throbbing. The feeling could be much worse if you had a tight headband on with even tighter ear-cups around your earlobes. This is why the headphones you choose should fit just right. They shouldn’t also be too loose or else they will slip or fall off while you are working out.

• Sweat-Resistance

Working out is a messy affair especially when the sweat starts trickling down your head and body. The sweat can even ruin your headphones if it seeps into the ear-cups. This is why you should ensure that the headphones are waterproof or, at least, sweat-resistant.

Working Out with Beats Headphones – What to Expect

Beats Headphones by Dr. Dre is a sensation with everyone. They boast superior quality in almost all aspects. They are mostly spotted with celebrities, but they are just as good for working out for several reasons:

• All-Round Comfort

For such compact-looking headphones, Beats Headphones are incredibly light – so light that you will barely feel them on your head. They are lined with the finest cushioned leather on the headband and ear-cups.

The headband is flexible so that it fits just right. What’s more, the ear-cups rotate so that they sit perfectly on your ears for maximum comfort.

• Durability

These headphones are made using the best-quality materials not only for the looks but also for durability. They are even water-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about the sweat sipping in.

• Superior Sound Quality

Beats Headphones are famed for their superior sound quality. They are the brainchild of Dr. Dre, one of the best music producers. They are also backed by Apple technology and feature contributions from other leading sound engineers.

They feature advanced acoustic settings that ensure exceptional clarity so that you enjoy your music better.

• Excellent Battery Life

Beats Headphones can last for up to 40 hours, which is many times more than you can endure exercising. What’s more, you can get up to 3 hours of listening time just from 5 minutes of charging, so you never have to worry about running out of juice.

Will Sweat ruin Headphones while working out?

Sweat ruins headphones gradually because it is liquid. That means that it doesn’t react well with electronics, and that goes for your headphones too. There are ways in which sweat ruins headphones.

How Sweat Ruins Headphones?

For starters, sweat may seep into the cushion around the ear cups and soak them. The ear-cups then start stinking and lose their fluffiness. In other cases, the leather around the cushion may crack or tear.

Another way sweat ruins headphones are by short-circuiting the electronics inside the earcups. This causes sound distortion, thus ruining sound quality – in other cases the system becomes short-circuited and goes silent altogether.  

How to Protect your Headphones from Sweat

The best way to protect your headphones from sweat is by ensuring that they are sweat-proof or water-resistant. If, however, your headphones are not sweat-proof, then you should become creative. Here are some tips:

• Wipe after Every Use

It takes some time for the sweat to soak into the cushion. This is why you should always wire the ear-cups every time after use. Wipe them using a clean and damp cloth preferably soaked in detergent or alcohol to get rid of the bacteria. You should also consider wiping them in-between exercises for extra safety.  

• Use Ear-Hugs

Ear-hugs are small circular covering that is wrapped around headphones’ ear-cups. They are the first protection against sweat. Ear Hugs are made of soft clothing that absorbs and retains the sweat before it can get to the cushion. In addition, they are cheap so you can just get rid of them after use.   

• Buy Replacement Cushions

Some traces of sweat will eventually soak into the cushion and build up over time. When this happens there is not much you can do but replace them. Most brands issue replacement cushions, and you don’t need to go to the technician to have it done if you don’t mind some twisting and turning.

How to remove sweat smell from headphones

The odor of sweat on your headphones is not only annoying but also embarrassing. It cannot be ignored. Fortunately, it can be eliminated by cleaning the sweat off. Here are some tips:

• Clean the Cushions

Headphone cushions are removable and even replaceable. For thorough cleaning, you should remove them and soak them in warm soapy water before rinsing and drying.

• Dry Out in the Sun

Sun is a good sterilizer. It is also great for getting rid of the sweat stench. As such, you should consider airing your headphones out in the sun for a couple of hours. This, however, only works when the stench is mild, and oftentimes you may need to wipe the cushions after airing them in the sun.

• Store with Vinegar

If you clean the cushions and still smell the stench of sweat you should consider a popular homemade solution: vinegar. Vinegar absorbs odors, and it will get rid of the odor on your headphones. Pour some vinegar into a cup and place it next to your headphones in an enclosed space for several hours. Check-in regularly until the odor is gone.

• Replace Cushions

If everything else fails the only option left is to replace the cushions. Replacement cushions are easy to find, and the replacement process is quick and easy.

How to Clean Headphones after Working Out

• Wipe Gently

The simplest way to clean headphones is by wiping them after every exercising episode. Use a damp cloth dipped in alcohol or detergent to get rid of bacteria and drown out the stench.

Wipe every inch of the headphones and pay particular attention to the cushions and ear-cups. Again, the cloth should just be damp; not wet or else you will ruin the headphones.

• Remove and Clean the Cushions

Headphone cushions are removable. As such, remove them occasionally and soak them in soapy water. One clean you should rinse the cushions and dry them in the sun.

• Blow or Dry in the Sun

Every once in a while you should use a blow drier to get rid of the moisture in the cushions. You can also go old-school and lay them out in the sun to dry. The sun will vaporize the sweat and kill the bacteria.

• Soak Alongside Vinegar

Sometimes, the stench doesn’t come off no matter how well you clean the headphones. If this is the case you should turn to vinegar. The trick is to store the headphones in an enclosed space next to an open glass of vinegar. The vinegar will absorb the stench.

• Replace Cushions

The ultimate solution is to buy new cushions and get rid of the old ones. You will not only get rid of the sweat but also enjoy better comfort.

Conclusion

Headphones are great for working out. The music acts like fuel for your body and helps you go the extra mile. There are several factors to take into consideration though to ensure you get the best experience. For starters, be wise in picking your headphones and ensure that they are both comfortable and of good quality.

Additionally, ensure that your headphones are always clean and free of sweat. With these factors covered you can rock to your favorite music as you exercise and tone your body.