Concept2 Forum

I like to listen to music while I erg, and as I prepare to start Eddie's erg marathon training program, I anticipate that I'll need to listen to a lot of music. I have been searching for a good way to attach my iPhone 4 to my back or waist or something so I can listen to headphones, but so far all of the options seem crappy. I dislike armbands because they unbalance my arms, and I have yet to find a suitable waistband.

What gear do y'all use for music on an iPhone while you erg?

To sidestep your question slightly, I use an iPod Shuffle with its built-in clip to attach to my shirt. Before you rightly point out that this isn't using your iPhone, I'd suggest that any commercial case you find to do the job will probably cost as much as a Shuffle, and my way limits the chance of damaging your phone while erging!

I knew the iPod shuffle would come up. I'm partial to the iPhone, partly because I want to avoid buying Yet Another Gadget (TM) to lose at the boathouse. I also like the ability to use iPhone apps. But the shuffle may end up being the best option.

My wife has running pants that have a pocket right in the middle of the back so something like that might work depending on how you sit.

One thing to consider is that if you are rowing long distances there will be a lot of sweat generated that could get onto/in the iPhone.

I have an old blackberry case with a belt clip. My iPhone fits ok in it and I were on the waistband of my shorts. Works great. I'm sure that there are iPhone cases with belt clips out there.

Wear a small hydrate backpack. Such as a Nathan it has a pocket for your Phone.

Another idea - some of my cycling bibs have a pocket roughly between the shoulder blades (for a team radio, I guess). It's generally not good to row in cycling gear, but I imagine some tri suits would have a similar pocket without the groinal padding. And assuming you don't row naked you'll be wearing something anyway, so why not a tri suit?

These are some great ideas - I'll take a look at them. Thanks, all!

How can you possibly be training, if you are distracted by muzak, tv or whatever??

Seems a bit judgemental. I know I should achieve a zen like state as I listen closely to symphonic exertions of my muscles working in perfect harmony, but I guess I am not sufficiently self actualized.

I really like listening to music, podcasts, audiobooks, whatever when I row, and frankly I DO think it's training, thank you very much.

I use an Ipod and (bluetooth) wireless headphones. It looks like maybe you can do the same, but maybe not because when I google iphone 4 and bluetooth it seems some people report problems:

http://www.ehow.com/how_4829630_set-up- ... tml#page=0

I row at home and switched from headphones to external speakers a while ago due to the problems you are encountering now. I also found that sweat would eventually get into the headphones and start to cause problems with the sound as well as discomfort.

I have a 10' long adapter cable that connects between my iPhone and my stereo. The iPhone sits on the rower in front of me so I have easy access to change songs as needed. My case is rubberized, which prevents the phone from sliding around during a session.

I bought a cheap MP3 player for that purpose. It gets very sweaty every workout but it does the job very well - already for a couple of years - and needs a battery recharge only now and then (once a month or less). It's a Philips GoGear.

At the rowing club we have a CD player/radio with speakers.

As suggested above, I use my Android phone (SGS2) to my bluetooth headphones. Bluetooth received clips on to shirt collar, front or back. Phone sit safely on the floor under my feet.

Bluetooth ear bug with iPhone on the floor nearby. Works great.