When you’re working up a sweat in the gym,
nothing beats a killer playlist pumping from your headphones to soundtrack your
workout.
Headphones have come a long way over the
years, since the tangled wires and low sound quality plaguing fitness fanatics
everywhere. Whether you prefer over-ear headphones or wireless earphones, there’s
plenty of excellent options to choose from. And with features like
sweat-resistant coating and collapsible designs for better portability, your
workout will run smoother than ever. Discover why a good set of headphones can
make a difference to your workout and discover our top picks.
Why Having Good Headphones is So Important During a Workout
Headphones and earphones can be a great
addition to any workout – particularly when you’re doing it solo. It can help
you stay in the zone and push harder through your session.
Music is Motivational
When you haven’t sprung out of bed bursting with
motivation to hit the gym, music is a quick and effective way to get in the
zone and feel driven to push yourself. Some tunes can help put you in a better
mood and improve the quality of your workout.
We’ve also written a blog on 5
motivational podcasts that can help give you that extra boost.
Block Out Distractions
Headphones can help us block out the noise
of the outside world and empower us to hone in on our workout. While some
people love soaking up the electric atmosphere in our gym, others prefer to do
their own thing – and that’s OK. It’s all about what works best for you.
What Makes Headphones Good?
Tastes
in what makes headphones good can be pretty subjective, but it really just
comes down to how comfortable they are and how well they work for you.
Comfort Level
When finding a high-quality pair of headphones,
it’s all about comfort. The last thing you want to deal with is headphones
constantly falling out of your ears to ruin your workout.
Look for headphones or earphones that are
well fitted, suitable for sports and made with materials that are light,
breathable and sweat-resistant.
Sound Quality
The sound quality of your headphones or
earphones is paramount to feeling motivated and ready to give your all in your
next workout. Consider checking out the sound quality of headphones or
earphones in-store, so you can try before you buy. Your music taste may also
make a difference. For example, if you’re into electronic or hip hop, you may
want headphones with more bass. Prefer guitars and rock music to get you going?
You may need a pair that nails their mids and highs.
Durability
Sports headphones should be durable and unafraid
of a bit of sweat. After all, you want to be able to toss them in your bag on
the go. Look for earphones or headphones that are tough or can be stored in
compact cases.
Our Top 5 Sports Headphones in Australia
In
no particular order, here are our top picks for sports headphones and earphones
that you can pick up in Australia.
1. Jaybird
Tarah Pro Headphones
These headphones won the iF design award of
2019 and are durable, waterproof earphones with a 14-hour battery life. With a
magnetic snap lock and a fabric sport cord neck cable, they’re perfect for the
gym and the rugged outdoors.
Designed to stay securely in the ear, the
Switch Fit feature also allows you to twist the earbuds into an over-ear
position. Jaybird Tarah Pro headphones aims to strike a balance between sound isolation and the
ability to be aware of your surroundings in the gym, or outdoors.
2. Beats Powerbeats Pro Wireless Earphones
Beats is known for its powerful audio
quality, and the Powerbeats Pro are no different. These true wireless earphones
can adjust securely and comfortably to your ears and are made to stay in place
no matter what.
These lightweight earphones are sweat and
water resistant, with 9 hours of listening time in each earbud. They can also
connect automatically with your Apple watch, Mac or iPad.
3. Sony Sports Wireless WF-SP900 Headphones
Most sports earphones are great for sweat resistance
but aren’t waterproof. Sony’s Sports Wireless WF-SP900 on the other hand is
ideal for swimmers. It can be used in 2-metre deep fresh or salt water.
Bluetooth signals don’t work underwater, so
this model counteracts this with 4GB of memory and a player in the earphones,
so you can load music without a phone.
Enjoy up to three hours of music with a Bluetooth connection or up to six
hours with the on-board storage system.
4. JBL Under
Armour Sport Wireless Train Headphones
With JBL sound and Under Armour’s
fast-drying, washable fabric technology, rugged design and IPX4 rating – these
are tried and tested by athletes.
These JBL Under Armour Sport Wireless Train headphones boasts a 16-hour speed battery charge,
wireless connection and bionic hearing with TalkThru tech that helps you easily
talk between sets without removing your headphones.
5. Jabra
Elite 65t Earbuds
Four-microphone technology that delivers
effective wind noise reduction for clearer calls. They’re also IP55 water and
dust resistant and have up to 15 hours of battery life with the charging case.
Jabra’s Elite 65t earbuds allows two devices
to be connected at once and you can personalise your experience via the Jabra
Sound+ app.
Pump the Beats at
Your Next Workout
At
Virgin Active, you’ll find motivational music throughout our health club, so
headphones are totally optional. Many of our members choose to wear headphones
during their workout, so it comes down to what feels best for you.
If you aren’t sure which headphones are right for you, be sure to ask a friendly staff member. Book a free, no obligation tour today!