Gym Use

[PeariTouch]

How many of you actually use iPod touch at gym? Every time I see armbands for iPod come out in market, I always wonder how many people buy them. It seems that armbands for iPhone and touch are in market before "real" cases....

I saw a guy using touch (could be iPhone) in armband the other day at gym. No offence but touch looked bigger than his arm. Then I saw another guy using Zune in armband. It looked HUGE. I always thought even iPod Classic looked too big for armband use.

Being proactical is more important than how it looks but nanos seem to be more suitable for sports.... what do you think?

[pfreeland]

I agree completely. In fact, I think the 2G Nano is the thing for sports use. With a silicon case they are still tiny, and you can throw them around without breaking them. Plus they are cheap on eBay!!

[PeariTouch]

I agree. 2G Nano is prefect size. After having bought touch, for gym, I still use my 2G Nano with iSkin. 3G Nano seems to be a bit odd size.

[paranoidxe]

Disagree, the nano isn't the best the shuffle is. Simply clip that baby on and all your controls are right there at your disposal..no need to fiddle in the pockets like the other iPods. Just load a optimal playlist and have your shuffle sync to that and you are good to go.

Alternatively if all your songs are mp3/aac you can use the iPod Shuffle Database Builder and don't even need to use iTunes you can use the shuffle just like a windows explorer drive.

You also are only out $80 if say you lose it at the gym. The iPod Touch would probably be the least recommended for the gym..even over the classic as I'm sure theft would be a issue.

[DerekVOF]

I agree that the Shuffle is great - you don't even realize you're wearing it when exercising. And no worries if it gets damaged or lost.

[Boilerblues]

I'm planning on using my Touch at the gym, simple because I want to be able to watch videos while on the eliptical.

[smaynard_98]

I believe that if the user does not plan on watching videos, as is the case with Boilerblues, then the shuffle is the best option for the gym. Whether using iTunes to load the playlist or other third party applications it is the most convenient in both size and user-ability. I do not know anyone, outside of a professional, that spends more than two hours at the gym. It is easy to load the shuffle with an audiobook, podcast, or playlist, do your thing and get out. An armband would be too much hassle while changing from one machine to another. The armbands are good for jogging but increases your chance for some thug to knock you over the head and take your expensive toy. Bottom line, for physical activity go for the shuffle, best bang for the buck. If you want to show off then buy the armband.

[dellavoce]

I love my touch at the gym! I do watch videos while on the eliptical (so much nicer than my 5g) but I have been tossing around the idea of getting an armband because I've been using the weight machines a little more lately. Of course, I have bluetooth headphones (in my opinion a gym MUST) so if my sweats have pockets, I guess I could just toss the touch in a pocket.

Just my humble opinion...

[Touchingisgood]

Agreed.
I own a 2G 4GB iPod Mini for my main iPod, and a 2G Blue Shuffle for Gym use.

I'm looking into purchasing a touch though, since i've had my Mini for 2 and a half years

[YankeezGirl]

I use my 2g nano at the gym rather than my touch, but I never thought of watching videos on the elliptical, that'sa good idea! Btw I'm typing this on my touch yaay!

[Yankee]

I also agree, using an older iPod with a clickwheel is much better for exercise. I use my 5g when I run on the tredmill. A touch screen while running seems like it would be hard to use.

[dellavoce]

I use my 2g nano at the gym rather than my touch, but I never thought of watching videos on the elliptical, that'sa good idea! Btw I'm typing this on my touch yaay!

Videos on the elliptical (or treadmill or bike) are the best. The length of a TV show is a great length for a workout and really helps keep your mind off "the burn". For some shows, my workout time is the only chance that I have to watch them!

[whitepod]

i use mine at the gym. although i do recommend you stay far far away from the belkin armband plus. it fits like s**t. very hard to use when its on. im takin mine back tomorrow and getting the griffin streamline

[MBoyd4motion]

I still use my 4G 40Gb in the gym on an armband. Scared to take my new 160GB classic. The 4G is still in great shape though.

[PeariTouch]

I thought about getting shuffle for gym but I think I need to have control on what I want to listen - I tend to listen to the same songs over and over when I do weight training. I think my nano 2G is the best for that purpose. I try to go to gym every day and spend an hour. I make separate play lists of different dates such as for Monday, Tuesday and for weights and for cardio etc. I am sort of afraid of dropping something on the glass front of touch.

[jsurpless]

Agreed.
I own a 2G 4GB iPod Mini for my main iPod, and a 2G Blue Shuffle for Gym use.

I'm looking into purchasing a touch though, since i've had my Mini for 2 and a half years

Hi there

I also have a Mini (some 4 years old now); I love it but unfortunately, its battery life is not cutting it anymore... sometimes it won't even be enough for my 1-hr gym workout...

I'm debating whether or not I want to get a Touch... I currently have the armband Apple sold for the Mini; it's very nice as I can easily remove the Mini from it... I've seen a variety of armbands for the Touch but am not sure what's involved in removing them from it (i.e, could I do easily at the gym)...

Someone mentioned watching video on the elliptical... where do you secure the iPod when you do that?

[jsurpless]

I love my touch at the gym! I do watch videos while on the eliptical (so much nicer than my 5g) but I have been tossing around the idea of getting an armband because I've been using the weight machines a little more lately. Of course, I have bluetooth headphones (in my opinion a gym MUST) so if my sweats have pockets, I guess I could just toss the touch in a pocket.

Just my humble opinion...

How do you use BT headphones with the Touch? Some sort of adapter?

[Ed2020]

I asked myself the same question about which iPod to choose for gym use. My solution was just not to go to the gym. :D

Ed.

[Teechur]

If you only have one iPod, and can afford the Touch (and have a good lock for your gym locker while you shower) there's nothing wrong with the Touch at the gym. However if you're a pod-o-phile, the Shuffle or Nano rock. At first I wasn't hip to the shuffle because I like to listen to Podcasts. (I would be the crazy chick chuckling to myself while I lift because I'm listening to "Wait Wait Don't Tell Me". Then I figured out that if I rename my podcasts with an aa in front and set the shuffle NOT to shuffle I can listen to them, then to music. (Podcasts don't play when you set it to shuffle.) I can do the same with audiobooks. Suddenly the shuffle, a rarely used gift from my husband, became a lot more useable.

The one time I like the touch is when I'm running a long run. Unfortunately with Nike+ I can't listen to a movie on my Nano, and sometimes when the run is over 2 hours, it's great to listen to an old favorite like Spinal Tap. Takes my mind off the fact that I'm running for more than 2 hours.

[netean]

I take my touch to the gym, use it with the neoprene armband I got from ebay (£5). Never had a problem with it. Fits well, stays on... feels secure..

Had been using it for running on the road too, but recently gone back to using Nokia N95 as it has gps tracking and the sportstracker application (which is great by the way)


I would disagree about getting a shuffle though. They're overpriced and under specced. No screen, no way to play tracks in any other way other than shuffle.

For less money (in some cases an awful lot less money) - you can get one with larger capacity, a screen (to show tracks/playlist etc) a radio etc etc. (plus you can still use itunes to move your music across - or even better. ditch iTunes and use any other music manager out there - or just drag and drop with windows/mac) - you can get players with or without clips too.

When you can get 2gb mp3 players for under £15 (us$20) why would you want to go the expense of a shuffle?

[jonjk85]

I took my touch to the gym once, and I was just terrified, spending $480 on it and having a small chance it might drop off the treadmill is not worth it. I just use my ipod Classic at the gym instead.

I also noticed that its difficult to navigate . You cant stand it straight up to go through playlist due to the headphone jack at the bottom.

[Dunkin]

I use my 8GB nano in an armband when I'm lifting weights (or doing yard work) and my Touch to watch TV shows when I'm doing cardio.

[pianomanss87]

I use my 1 gen Nano for the gym and around the house. 1 gen Mini in the car all day and 80 gig classic for every thing else.

Piano Man

[deckyon]

I use my 1g Nano for the gym with an arm sleeve. I dont even know it is there, once I start it up. I have a 2hr playlist of the fastest stuff in my iTunes. Also, as for the earphones and cord, I bought special Sony earphones that have a <2ft cord with a 3ft extension cord. I leave the extension off, and run the ear phones through my shirt sleeve - no hanging wires, and it is the perfect length.

I have the touch and a iPod Photo (60gb) as well, but no, too big for the gym. Movies are not what I want - I go too slow and dont get the workout I want... I need fast, good beats to get the cardio done... Once I hit play on my nano, it doesnt stop untl I do, or it runs out of power because I forget to plug it in...

For my aresnal, 1g Nano, arm sleeve, short-cord earphones, 2 hour playlist. Have never had complaints, and no issues with the cords getting tangles, even on machines and free-weights.

[thirtyone]

How many of you actually use iPod touch at gym? Every time I see armbands for iPod come out in market, I always wonder how many people buy them. It seems that armbands for iPhone and touch are in market before "real" cases....

I saw a guy using touch (could be iPhone) in armband the other day at gym. No offence but touch looked bigger than his arm. Then I saw another guy using Zune in armband. It looked HUGE. I always thought even iPod Classic looked too big for armband use.

Being proactical is more important than how it looks but nanos seem to be more suitable for sports.... what do you think?


its weird how you've to balance yourself when 'touching' to change songs as you're jogging on the treadmill. itouch suits more for style and not really of this kind of usage.

[synch22]

I use the touch all 32gb at the gym i dropped it once on the treadmill but it made it ok. I don't own a band. Just put it on the pocket or stuff it between my waist band. Yes it is not smart to use a 500 dollar device like that but as long asyou don't drop it you are fine no harm done.
managing one iPod is tough enough that I would rather not have the hassle of juggling 2 so my iPod video sits in the drawer.

[thirtyone]

Even if its attached to the waist band I find it rather troublesome to touch it especially when you are doing vigorous actions. eg running