# Gym users- what music player do you use?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-users-what-music-player-do-you-use/300499
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [April 21, 2005, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-users-what-music-player-do-you-use/300499 "2005-04-21T23:19:36Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@andrewdt85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andrewdt85)
#### Post date: [April 21, 2005, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-users-what-music-player-do-you-use/300499/1 "2005-04-21T23:19:36Z")
When working out in the gym, people listen to music on headphones. I’m going to be working out regularly soon, and I need music. What do most people use, a walkman right? Cause a cd player would skip, and doesn’t attach as well to gym shorts.
So what kind and brand is best and most practical? Keep in mind I don’t own a walkman or cd player yet.
---
### Author:  [@mittu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mittu)
#### Post date: [April 22, 2005, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-users-what-music-player-do-you-use/300499/2 "2005-04-22T00:06:24Z")
I would go for an MP3 player ahead of a CD player or cassette player if I were you. You can buy them reasonably cheap these days and they never skip as they have no moving parts like a CD player. The MP3 player I have came with a clip to attach to clothing and weighs next to nothing so it is ideal for working out with.
---
### Author:  [@andrewdt85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andrewdt85)
#### Post date: [April 22, 2005, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-users-what-music-player-do-you-use/300499/3 "2005-04-22T00:23:43Z")
That’s what I figured, and I’ve been looking on ebay for used ones. I know they sell that one now IPOD random that costs 100 and plays the songs in random order. What’s up with those things?
---
### Author:  [@Turek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turek)
#### Post date: [April 22, 2005, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-users-what-music-player-do-you-use/300499/4 "2005-04-22T00:24:22Z")
I used my 40 gb iPod for a while but decided it was too heavy to lug around and bought an iPod Shuffle.
---
### Author:  [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)
#### Post date: [April 22, 2005, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-users-what-music-player-do-you-use/300499/5 "2005-04-22T00:27:09Z")
Wow, people are getting spoiled now. That iPod is just too heavy. 🙂 I use my iPod, love it to death. I have a “workout” playlist I keep on shuffle.
---
### Author:  [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)
#### Post date: [April 22, 2005, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-users-what-music-player-do-you-use/300499/6 "2005-04-22T00:34:44Z")
Spoiled it right. I got tired of carrying my wife’s iPod 30GB in the car – so now I have a Shuffle.
The deal is they work perfectly for me. YMMV, but as a user, I’ll say you can’t go wrong.
---
### Author:  [@cainxinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cainxinth)
#### Post date: [April 22, 2005, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-users-what-music-player-do-you-use/300499/7 "2005-04-22T01:27:54Z")
I use a 30gb ipod… I tuck it into the front of my shorts. Works great for me. Personally, I don’t understand how Apple got away with that Shuffle design. Throw a single line lcd screen on that thing and its perfect.
---
### Author:  [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)
#### Post date: [April 22, 2005, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-users-what-music-player-do-you-use/300499/8 "2005-04-22T01:40:22Z")
I got a SanDisk 1-GB player at Circuit City for about $170 minus a $20 rebate, to use while I work out. I’ve had it for about a month and I love it. One of the main features I wanted is the armband, because I don’t have a waist yet. 🙂 Yeah, it’s not as much storage, but the gym is the ONLY place I use it, and it’s nice to have a choice of 20 CDs for my tunes instead of just one.
---
### Author:  [@Garfield226](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Garfield226)
#### Post date: [April 22, 2005, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-users-what-music-player-do-you-use/300499/9 "2005-04-22T01:43:43Z")
I use Frontier Labs’ [Nex Ia](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000SVSP8/qid=1114133943/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl23/102-7844200-8629729?v=glance&s=electronics&n=507846) player.
It’s very small, very light, and the memory is expandable simply by buying a bigger compact flash card (CF card prices are falling, very fast). You can make it whatever capacity you want! Also, it has no moving parts (unless you use a microdrive instead of a CF card…it takes both), so it doesn’t skip. A pair of AA batteries lasts up to 17 hours, so you’re covered there.
---
### Author:  [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)
#### Post date: [April 22, 2005, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-users-what-music-player-do-you-use/300499/10 "2005-04-22T02:08:19Z")
Well, I’m quite fond of my [Rio Forge Sport](http://www.digitalnetworksna.com/shop/_templates/item_main_Rio.asp?model=266). It’s light, palm sized, fits nicely in my hand when jogging. It comes with an arm band, but I can get used to the feeling of it on my arm.
Single AAA lasts ages, it seems. The internal drive is 512MB, and I have an additional memory card that adds another 256MB. Really for going to the gym and the occasional long flights, it’s more than enough. I can hold several audio books and a dozen or so CD, and then some.
---
### Author:  [@John\_Kentzel-Griffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Kentzel-Griffin)
#### Post date: [April 22, 2005, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-users-what-music-player-do-you-use/300499/11 "2005-04-22T02:39:23Z")
General Questions is for questions with factual answers. IMHO is for opinions and polls.
Off to IMHO.
**DrMatrix** - GQ Moderator
---
### Author:  [@picker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picker)
#### Post date: [April 22, 2005, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-users-what-music-player-do-you-use/300499/12 "2005-04-22T02:44:03Z")
iPod - it’s wonderful. Although I’d be fine with a shuffle in the gym.
---
### Author:  [@minor7flat5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minor7flat5)
#### Post date: [April 22, 2005, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-users-what-music-player-do-you-use/300499/13 "2005-04-22T03:34:02Z")
I have to go against the flow on this one.
I used to use one of the Nike players – I was very pleased with it. It straps on my arm, uses a single rechargable AAA battery, has a robust battery cover (essential, since you are always going to be removing it to xfer music).
Then I bought a Philips MP3-capable CD player for fifty bucks and realized the following:
[ul][li]It is so thin and flimsy that when in its belt pouch I barely notice its presence.[/li][li]Since it is playing MP3s, the CD actually turns only a few seconds out of each minute, nullifying any skip problems.[/li][li]I can store several full albums on one CD (Did you know that the Broadway version of the Who’s Tommy lasts ten miles?)[/li][li]If I want a different set of albums, I grab another mix disc and scoot. No twenty minutes of messin’ around trying to get some new tunes loaded for a gym trip.[/li][li]Audio books fit conveniently on a single CD or on two CDs. (working on a Clive Cussler tale now).[/li]Best of all: If I bust it, who cares? I’ll just buy another, with more features and lighter for $35. Sure there are multi-gig MP3 players around, but they are too pricy and genteel for my gym activities.[/ul]
---
### Author:  [@Podkayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Podkayne)
#### Post date: [April 22, 2005, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-users-what-music-player-do-you-use/300499/14 "2005-04-22T13:22:25Z")
I use an iPod. I have a Workout playlist of songs I like with a strong, brisk beat, and a more selective High Motivation playlist for the days that I’m having a hard time getting my butt going.
I just put it on the shelfy-thing on the treadmill when I run. About five times I’ve accidentally tugged on the headphone cord, felt the sharp jerk on my earphones which was followed by a sickeningly abrupt cessation of musical sounds, and watched, paralyzed with horror, as _CLUNK_ my iPod fell onto the treadmill, _ZIP_ traveled to the end of the belt at 7.2 MPH, and _CLUNK_ fell off the end of the treadmill onto the floor. But it keeps ticking. (_Fingers crossed_)
As I shift to running outside more for the summer, I need to get one of those sport cases. The belt clip on my iSkin got broken the second time I dropped it.
---
### Author:  [@slortar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slortar)
#### Post date: [April 22, 2005, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-users-what-music-player-do-you-use/300499/15 "2005-04-22T13:27:28Z")
> [@Scarlett67](#):
>
> I got a SanDisk 1-GB player at Circuit City for about $170 minus a $20 rebate, to use while I work out. I’ve had it for about a month and I love it. One of the main features I wanted is the armband, because I don’t have a waist yet. 🙂 Yeah, it’s not as much storage, but the gym is the ONLY place I use it, and it’s nice to have a choice of 20 CDs for my tunes instead of just one.
Seconded. I have a 256 that I got for about $70 from Newegg and I love it to death. No software to install, very light. 256 mb is enough to keep me amused for a one hour run and when that bores me, it has radio built in.
I really like the design of the armband and controls, too. Very easy to use while running.
---
### Author:  [@mittu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mittu)
#### Post date: [April 22, 2005, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-users-what-music-player-do-you-use/300499/16 "2005-04-22T14:57:36Z")
If you decide to get an MP3 player I will throw [the one I use](http://www.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=213&subcategory=215&product=9672) into your list of options to consider. It only weighs 43g with the battery so it certainly won’t hinder your exercises and like I said in my previous post it comes with a clip to attach it to your shorts or whatever. It isn’t as fancy as an iPOD but it is a damn sight cheaper and smaller.
---
### Author:  [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)
#### Post date: [April 22, 2005, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-users-what-music-player-do-you-use/300499/17 "2005-04-22T15:02:51Z")
> [@andrewdt85](#):
>
> When working out in the gym, people listen to music on headphones. I’m going to be working out regularly soon, and I need music. What do most people use, a walkman right? Cause a cd player would skip, and doesn’t attach as well to gym shorts.
>
> So what kind and brand is best and most practical? Keep in mind I don’t own a walkman or cd player yet.
Most people use MP3 players now. I use an Iriver 128MB player. 128MB is about the smallest you can buy nowadays but it is still 34 songs or so. I have no idea which brand is the best, my Iriver is good but there are other brands like rio, Dell, Creative labs or Sony.
you can probably use a CD player with really good anti-skip technology (60 second anti-skip or something like that) if you want. Depends on what you do. It shouldn’t give you problems for running or biking with good anti-skip abilities.
---
### Author:  [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)
#### Post date: [April 22, 2005, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-users-what-music-player-do-you-use/300499/18 "2005-04-22T15:13:51Z")
Another vote for the iPod here. That’s the main reason I bought one was for the gym. Where I work out, they play the most atrocious music, I kid you not. Last night, I pulled out my earbuds to talk to a friend and it turns out they were playing the soundtrack to “The Karate Kid”. :eek:
---
### Author:  [@Stark\_Raven\_Mad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stark_Raven_Mad)
#### Post date: [April 22, 2005, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-users-what-music-player-do-you-use/300499/19 "2005-04-22T15:16:56Z")
The iPod is a hard drive, complete with that pin thingy that reads it. That means vibrations can do bad things to it. I had one I ran to for about three months everyday, and in the middle of the second month I noticed that it’d started to skip a little, and by the end of the third month entire sections of songs would be skipped over. I’m not entirely sure if it was the running that caused it, but that was pretty much all I used it for. To be fair, no one else I know has had this problem, though it’s something you should consider/research a little to be sure.
CD players I find too bulky to allow any sort of serious work in the gym, but if you have the requisite compatible hardware, an MD player isn’t such a bad idea. As **Wesley** suggests, these days most people carry an mp3 player, and you might be ridiculed for being not hip enough if you lug a CD player around, as thin as they may be right now.
---
### Author:  [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)
#### Post date: [April 22, 2005, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-users-what-music-player-do-you-use/300499/20 "2005-04-22T15:19:24Z")
I do not know much about skipping, but I would assume a flashmedia MP3 player (those with 1GB or less of memory) as opposed to a hard disk MP3 player would not ever skip. Mine has never skipped and I drop mine all the time.
[Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-users-what-music-player-do-you-use/300499.md?page=2)