Best way to get music for "over-sweaters"

graffitici · Post by **graffitici** » June 21st, 2009, 4:18 pm

Hi,

I have been both rowing and erging for quite a long time, including as part of a varsity team in college. However, I was never able to listen to my own music at any point, mainly because I tend to sweat a lot (which, I'm told, is very healthy). It feels like if I had an iPod on my arm or my shorts it will be drenched within the first 5 minutes of the workout. I saw this case that allows you to have your iPod behind your neck, but for me, it seems like that's the worst place to have it (although it does look comfortable). I also looked at some wireless headphones, but most of them are ridiculously big headsets for watching TV.

In short, does anyone have any recommendations to allow me to finally listen to some music while I'm working out, without drowning the iPod? Maybe some hints about where to put the iPod so that the cable wouldn't get in the way of the seat?

Thanks!

SirWired · Post by **SirWired** » June 21st, 2009, 9:19 pm

I have my iPod in a hard plastic shell case. The only openings are for the hold switch and headphone jack, and of course the click-wheel. (It's an iPod classic.)

I just put the thing in the pocket of my workout shorts, and use headphones with a short enough cord.

This works since I tend to just let it shuffle all my rock for the session, so I never need to push any buttons.

SirWired

PaulG · Post by **PaulG** » June 21st, 2009, 9:25 pm

If you are erging by yourself in a private location, do what I did. I have Cambridge Soundworks computer speakers mounted on a low table right behind my head. The subwoofer is on the floor. The sound quality produced is better than speakers 3 times the cost, and I can hear clearly over the erg. Read the reviews if you are interested. If you are in a public area this won't work, sorry. For public workouts I used the Sennheiser PMX70 sport headhphones but they required the iPod to be hard wired.

kini62 · Post by **kini62** » June 22nd, 2009, 6:55 pm

Just about any decent "sport" armband will work. I too sweat a lot and run in the rain as well.

Besides the upper arm doesn't get dripped on so the back of the armband will keep most of the sweat off.

The earbuds you want are Sennheiser MX75/85 or PMX70/80.

The MX "twist to fit" in the ear and the PMX are a behind the neck type.

I've had my MX75s for over a year (the only earbuds that have lasted more than 4 or 5 months for me). They sound pretty good but they do not block out noise which makes them good for running since you can hear ambient noise.

Anyway they are super weather/sweat resistant. You can actually hold the 80/85s under running water.

Gene

graffitici · Post by **graffitici** » June 25th, 2009, 11:17 am

Thanks everyone for their inputs. I wish I could row in the privacy of my apartment, but I'm afraid that's not possible in New York. That rules out the speakers (although bringing huge speakers to the gym would be quite a scene!).

I am very much sold on the Sennheiser headphones, especially the MX 75. I think I will get those soon.

In terms of attaching the player, I don't know if I want to try the armband while erging. Maybe I'll try to get a very small iPod Shuffle, and clip it to my T-shirt ( I found a very small spot that keeps dry even after the longest sessions, on the lower right side of my t-shirt!).

Speaking of which, I might invest in the new iPod shuffle, but I believe I wouldn't be able to use the MX75s on those, since they have their play controls on the earbuds. Does anyone have any experience about the in-ear pieces? Do they tend to fall-off when erging or running?

kini62 · Post by **kini62** » June 25th, 2009, 8:08 pm

graffitici wrote:Thanks everyone for their inputs. I wish I could row in the privacy of my apartment, but I'm afraid that's not possible in New York. That rules out the speakers (although bringing huge speakers to the gym would be quite a scene!).

I am very much sold on the Sennheiser headphones, especially the MX 75. I think I will get those soon.

In terms of attaching the player, I don't know if I want to try the armband while erging. Maybe I'll try to get a very small iPod Shuffle, and clip it to my T-shirt ( I found a very small spot that keeps dry even after the longest sessions, on the lower right side of my t-shirt!).

Speaking of which, I might invest in the new iPod shuffle, but I believe I wouldn't be able to use the MX75s on those, since they have their play controls on the earbuds. Does anyone have any experience about the in-ear pieces? Do they tend to fall-off when erging or running?

I went through 3 of the new shuffles in just over a month. It's great when it works, but the headphone control is just not durable at all. Even taping it didn't work, or the player is just crap too.

If you want to use the stock earbuds and they fall out use these:
http://www.roadrunnersports.com/rrs/products/BFT100/

I use an armband while erging and have no issues at all. At least with an armband you can use the Nano.

You might also want to check out the Sansa Clip. I found it to be a total POS but some have had luck (you'll need a lot of luck to get it to last more than a month) with them. At least you get playlists and a radio with the Clip. Just budget a replacement or 2 for when your is with Sansa for 6-8 weeks being repaired every month.

Gene

migmi006 · Post by **migmi006** » July 7th, 2009, 9:37 pm

Do you have a fan blowing on you? I have a fan and use a rhinoskin hard case for my 3rd generation nano with a lanyard and hang around my neck. I use the standard ipod earbuds.

If I do not have the fan blowing I will generate more sweat.

graffitici · Post by **graffitici** » July 8th, 2009, 12:16 pm

migmi006 wrote:Do you have a fan blowing on you? I have a fan and use a rhinoskin hard case for my 3rd generation nano with a lanyard and hang around my neck. I use the standard ipod earbuds.

If I do not have the fan blowing I will generate more sweat.

Yeah, I wish. In my college erg-room we used to have several huge-sized fans making more noise than the ergs themselves. The gym I'm working out now is not really geared for erging though. They just have two machines lying in the corner (which is all that is needed anyway!).

bloomp · Post by **bloomp** » July 8th, 2009, 4:19 pm

I'd say that I sweat a lot, but I've never had any problems with my iPod Touch or its default headphones... I just shove it in my spandex at the knees and go. Oh I do use a case, which i definitely recommend for any ipod, but that probably helps a lot. more than anything it's a comfort/fit thing, i know a lot of people that the regular ipod headphones don't fit in their ears.

tiredboy · Post by **tiredboy** » July 9th, 2009, 11:27 am

I also sweat a lot but have found this case for my ipod touch to fit my needs : http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/review ... pod-touch/

It doesn't show it in the review but mine is the "plus" version which has an attachment where the key is shown that you wrap the headphone cord around to take up the slack (and not have long dangling wires). It's easy to take on and off and it keeps the ipod slightly off the arm reducing the chance of it getting damp (!!). All in all I'm really happy with it. I've then got a cheap pair of canal headphones (about $15-20) that I replace as and when they get ruined by sweat! They are the earplug type so I don't need to turn the music up too loud to hear it over the erg.

newbie · Post by **newbie** » September 9th, 2009, 11:59 am

I know this thread is 2 months old, but wanted to chime in as I have the same problem...

Until recently, I just used a cheap MP3 player that I did not care about if it got too soaked by sweat. I never had a problem with it, I just never wanted to try it with my iPod.

Recently, though, I got an iPhone. Best part is the bluetooth audio support. I already owned a bluetooth stereo headset (SouthWing SA505), and I have to say that not having the wire always getting in the say is awesome! I just put my iPhone down on the floor/bench and workout. If I'm riding or running, I have a case and armband that keeps it water resistant enough to survive my sweat or a light rain.

I use it running, riding, rowing, and lifting... Lifting is where it made the biggest impact... I no longer have the bar pulling off my headphones when squatting or the wire dropping down in the way when deadlifting.

Big problem with my current headset is that its not really made for sport... the foam pads soak up way too much sweat.

My next pair will likely be Motorola S9's or something similar. My current pair will have to die before my wife will let me upgrade... unless I can talk her into taking the SouthWing set... hmmm, that's a thought.

n1lul · Post by **n1lul** » September 9th, 2009, 12:47 pm

I think this is what you are looking for:

http://www.dropbeatsdropsplits.com/iErg%20Home.html

NavigationHazard · Post by **NavigationHazard** » September 10th, 2009, 3:53 am

If you're having trouble rotting out shuffles or their equivalent in mp3 players from sweat, try wrapping a single ply of clear plastic cling wrap around it before clipping it on. It'll protect the unit while still allowing you to work the buttons through the wrap.

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