Next to supportive athletic shoes, comfortable clothing and a sweatband, music is an essential ingredient of a good workout. The right tunes can distract you from how long you've been on the treadmill, or help you power through that last set of crunches. But just as music can be a great motivator, sweaty, poor-fitting, tinny-sounding earphones and headphones can pull that motivation right out from under you. Fortunately, next-generation wireless audio devices have features designed to beat perspiration, stay in place during interval training, optimize sound and more.
Here are three options for flexing your music muscle during runs, bench presses, cycling or any other super-strenuous activity.
Beats Powerbeats3 Wireless Earphones: Ergonomic, with long battery life
The lightweight, sweat-resistant Beats Powerbeats3 Bluetooth earphones pair quickly with Apple devices. There are no synching delays that could stall the start of your workout. The ergonomic design means the earphones stay put during intense workouts, and with four pairs of shaped ear tips included, it's easy to dial in the perfect fit.
The Powerbeats3 also offer up to 12 hours of battery life between charges, plus the earphones' Fast Fuel feature can give another one hour of playback after just a five-minute charge. For most people, that's at least a week of workouts, all on one charge.
Bose SoundSport Wireless Headphones: Minimal look, maximum bass
The Bose SoundSport Wireless Headphones are ideal for people who want the minimal appearance of an earbud with additional comfort and stability. The sweat-resistant earbuds feature an extended flexible wing that uses the ridge of the ear for support and improved stability—no need to force them in.
There’s also no need to sacrifice sound quality for comfort. These headphones provide “the kind of powerful, punchy bass that might get you running that bit faster,” according to What Hi-Fi?. “These earphones are dynamic and make music sound lively.” And with up to six hours of use on one charge, workouts can last as long as your playlist does.
Jaybird X3 Sport Bluetooth Headphones: Ideal for cyclists
Customize the Jaybird X3 Sport Bluetooth Headphones to suit your workout style. Options include different sizes of silicone eartips for a secure seal, noise-blocking foam eartips, ear fins, an over- or under-ear fit system and cable shortening clips to keep cords out of the way. The Jaybird X3's design is also helmet-compatible—good news for cyclists and skateboarders. “With a sweat-proof design, lightweight and compact build, and plenty of methods of securing them, the X3s are well equipped to handle the rigors of physical exercise,” reports TechRadar.
A ShareMe feature on the buds helps make exercise more social, letting you and a training partner power up to the same music from the same device. And with the MySound app, the EQ preferences for music can be saved right to the earbuds, so the bass will play the way you like it no matter what device they're paired with.
Be sure to check out Verizon's entire selection of headphones on our Audio page today.