5 wireless workout earphones to crush your gym sessions

Listening to music while exercising has a host of benefits. A study conducted in 2013 has shown that working out along with music makes participants less aware of the pain that arises from physical activities. Those who work out with music helps in distracting people from their bodily awareness and such a distraction can benefit athletic performance by up to a whole 15 per cent more.

Listening to upbeat music helps in providing excess information to the brain that helps in taking the athlete’s mind of the physical pain they experience during moderate to intensive workouts. Studies have also shown that music helps you to work harder and put you in the zone as it helps in providing a motivational power. Music also helps in elevating your mood and helps in finding self-awareness; this allows you to think about yourself and gives you an excuse to think about the present. No matter what has happened in the recent past, a good up-tempo beat can help you to escape negativity and in the process, provide you with the drive to power through your workout; and in the end, make you feel great after your activity.

Keeping this in mind, a good pair of earphones essential to provide that added bit of zest and spur you on to have a not just a good, but a great workout. Great earphones, not only help in distracting you but also put you in the zone as some of them help in blocking out ambient sounds, giving you all the motivation you need to crush those reps and elevate your potential.

Though virtually any headphones can qualify as work out earphones, not all can make the cut easily as brands launch specific products that literally cater to workouts alone. We have rounded up a few wireless Bluetooth earphones that fit the bill of a what is necessary and what can help you power through your time in the gym.

1MORE iBFree Sport

Quick take

Earlier this year, 1MORE, a little-known brand in India but very popular overseas has introduced an updated version of the iBFree in the form of the iBFree sport. These earphones come with an IP68 ingress protection certification that allows them to be an ideal gym companion as it can withstand sweat and in the process increasing its overall lifespan.

Design

These earphones come with a sporty design that feels durable and the cable is strong enough to withstand a few accidental snags on gym equipment. The in-line controls found here have an interesting design. In most Bluetooth headsets, we find a combined button (Play/Pause - Power/Pairing) for powering it on or off. Here, 1MORE has added a dedicated button, which allows you to easily turn the earphones off. So even if you are weary and tired or sleepy, you don't have to stress to hunt for the right button to turn them off.

Features

The 1MORE iBFree Sport Bluetooth wireless comes loaded with a lot of features, chief of them being the IPX6 certification. An interesting feature found here is that 1MORE has added the Bluetooth antenna within the in-line control itself. Most manufacturers add this module in the earbuds. 1MORE states that the reasoning behind this is to reduce the radiation emitted from the Bluetooth antenna.

Audio quality

For those who are looking for an earphone that delivers substantial bass output, this is the model for you as the sub-bass is very noticeable in genres such as Hip Hop and Rock. The bass tends to get a bit distorted on higher volumes, but not as much that we would knock off any points of the earphones. On the upper end, the earphones produce a lot of precision and highs were well represented. Elaborating on the highs, the sounds reproduced are pretty great for a pair of in-ear earphones. The sound quality is definitely not hissy. As far as mids go, the earphones do not lack here and have a fair amount of clarity and separation.

Final thoughts

Priced at Rs 2,999, these are one of the best Bluetooth earphones at this price and having an IPX6 certification definitely gives an additional advantage over similarly priced earphones. With great audio performance and a stylish design, the 1MORE iBFree Sport is definitely something that you should consider.

JBL Endurance Jump

Quick take

First shown of CES 2018, JBL has recently launched the Endurance series of earphones in India. This series is targeted at different physical activities and for this list, we have chosen the Endurance Jump, a pair of Bluetooth wireless earphones that have been specially designed for the gym.

Design

Available in a variety of colours, the Endurance Jump is large with a unique design and screams for attention. With the Endurance Jump, JBL has added a thicker connecting cable that has a very snug and comfortable fit behind the neck. This makes the headphone feel like a single unit entirely. The earphones come with TwistLock and FlexSoft technologies that make them lightweight and ergonomic. With these two features, the earphones remain secure and stable without ever worrying about them even slipping out.

Features

The Jump is IPX7 certified and can withstand water for up to a metre for around 30 minutes without getting damaged. The JBL Endurance Jump comes with PowerHook design and this is a great addition as it automatically turns the power on/off while wearing or removing the earphones.

Audio quality

The Jump produces a neutral balance with the bass offering the ideal amount of impact and extension without being overbearing or enhanced. The mids are great as well and isn't overwhelmed by the bass or highs. Elaborating on the mids, we can state that they standout while being smooth with a lot of detail being audible. Highs are great as well — a lot of sparkle and they do not get ensnared behind the bass.

Final thoughts

Priced at Rs 4,799 and available for as low as Rs 3,999, these earphones provide an above average audio experience that is most definitely great for working out with the bass having the right amount of thump, the highs being taut and the mids offering a vast amount of clarity.

Beats PowerBeats3

Quick take

This is arguably the most popular workout earphones on our list. These are the headphones you see everywhere on Instagram as well as on patrons of most local gyms, so its inclusion in our list is but natural. The PowerBeats3 is the third iteration of this series and one of the first products that Beats have launched since they were bought by Apple. Being an official Apple product, you get some amount of Apple hardware in it such as the W1 chip, which makes Bluetooth pairing a breeze.

Design

The design of the Beats PowerBeats3 is in a word iconic. This has led to a multitude of imitators sporting the very same design for their products. But as they say, nothing can beat the original. The design of these earphones is comfortable as well as functional. This allows you to wear them for significant periods of time without experiencing any ear fatigue. Also, the hooks are adjustable making them fit different ear sizes. So, no matter how small or big your ears are, you will find them extremely comfortable to ear, thereby allowing you to focus on your workouts instead of adjusting the fit.

Features

As mentioned earlier, the Beats PowerBeats 2 has Apple’s W1 chip. To pair your earphones, all you got to do is power it on, put it in pairing mode, and a pop-up will appear on your iPhone for a one-step installation. And that’s it. The pairing is done. No need to head on into the Bluetooth settings to manually pair it. It’s. Just. That. Simple. Like the other earphones mentioned in our list, these are also sweat resistant. However, it has to be said that excessive sweat entering the in-line microphone may cause it to stop working. We have gone through two pairs of PowerBeats3 and both of them were rendered useless after a few sweaty sessions in the gym. So, if you want them to last, make sure you dry them out after your workout.

Audio quality

Being a Beats product, you get that signature Beats bass. For those who like bass heavy output in their music, these earphones are going to hit all the right chords. The level of bass here make them feel like a sports headphone and with that being said, the bass is tight and not extra boomy. The headphones have a lot of detail in other frequencies as well making them an ideal choice for not just workouts but casual usage as well.

Final thoughts

Beats PowerBeats3 is priced in India at Rs 16,500 but available for as low as Rs 13,999. The earphones are really well made and offer great sound quality these are the two ingredients for a great workout headphone. If budget isn't an issue, then these are ones you should definitely consider.

Jabra Elite Sport

Quick take

Jabra has really stepped up their game when it comes to true wireless earphones and the brand has launched a range of earbuds that cater to different price segments. While the Jabra Active 65t is one of our favourites, for this listicle we have included the slightly costlier Jabra Elite Sport 2.

Design

The Jabra Elite Sport 2 is a pair of true wireless earbuds fit snugly in the ears and wearing them for extended periods of time, we found absolutely no ear fatigue. In fact, these are our go-to earphones whether it is for running, gymming, CrossFit or virtually any physical activity. A neat feature of these buds is that they have all controls directly on them, so there’s absolutely no need to fish your phone out of your pocket to adjust the volume, change songs, etc.

Features

These headphones boast an IP67 certification, this means that they’re resistant to sweat without you worrying that they would get ruined. It also has a useful Hear Through mode where the microphone filters in ambient sounds. Other features found here include a heart rate monitor and VO2 max monitor. The battery life is rated at 13.5 hours in total. However, in actuality, you get about 4.5 hours of continuous playback on a single charge.

Audio quality

This pair of earbuds are great for workouts as it offers a significant prominence on the bass output but it doesn’t feel enhanced. The entire soundstage has an amazing definition with a lot of detail in the mids that are nestled between clearly defined lows and natural highs.

Final thoughts

The Jabra Elite Sport 2 is priced at Rs 18,990 in India and these make great earphones for those who love technology infused in something that can provide you with countless hours of up-tempo entertainment.

Bose SoundSport Free

Quick take

True wireless earbuds have come a long way in a relatively short period of time and hence adding the excellent Bose Soundsport Free on our list was an absolute no-brainer. These buds come with an extremely sturdy build and an excellent battery life, both of which is necessary to make the cut for a good pair of workout earphones.

Design

The SoundSport Free are pretty big earbuds and they will stick out of your ears. You may find them funny to wear however, the sturdy build quality will quickly erase all your misgivings about them. They feature soft silicone fins that sit just outside your ear canal thereby giving them a comfortable fit, even when used extensively. The design is such that it allows ambient noises to filter in, and this may be great for those who love to do outdoor workouts.

Features

These earphones are pretty straightforward and they’re solely meant for providing great audio quality. The battery life is rated at 15 hours and each earbud gets about 4 hours of playback on a single charge.

Audio quality

Having an open design, the lack of a proper noise isolation may deter off some potential buyers. However, if that’s not an issue, then you’ll get a pair of earphones that offer great audio quality. The bass has a nice impact and it has ample separation from the mids Highs are great as well and in short, these are just great sounding earphones.

Final thoughts

The Bose SoundSport Free is priced at Rs 18,990 and these are really great sounding earphones that are built to perform in the gym. If you don’t mind the open design and ambient sounds seeping in, then you will get a pair of earphones that are worth every penny.

Verdict

While we have listed 5 earphones that can be a great addition to your gym attire, there are several other earphones in the market such as the Plantronics BackBeat Fit, or even the OnePlus Bullets Wireless that are not necessarily advertised as workout earphones, but definitely, serve the purpose.

As with all technology, care should be given to ensure its longevity. After your session in the gym, you should ensure that it’s wiped down well in order for it to help you crush your next workout.

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