Whether you finish a triathlon before breakfast, speed walk around the block at lunch or do 50 laps before dinner, one thing that makes exercise so much more enjoyable is some music.
We all love listening to music to get us in the “zone,” but it can be a hassle to lug around a whole music library, or have your music player bouncing around in your pocket. If you’re looking for a new MP3 player, or an alternative to taking your expensive phone into the danger zone, we’ve got five options that are ideal for sporty types.
Have a look through our top five choices below and let us know which device you liked best — or if we’ve missed a model you love — in the comments below.
1. Sony Walkman W Series NWZ-W252
This wearable MP3 player from Sony fits neatly around the back of your neck, so there are no cables to get tangled. Lightweight and water-resistant, it’s ideal for joggers who run the risk of getting caught in the rain.
With up to 2GB capacity, it’s not the most capacious option out there, but that should be enough space for around 450 tracks; more than enough to see you through a run. File transfers are drag ‘n’ drop easy.
The W series claims to have an 11-hour battery-life, but even if you’ve forgotten to charge the device, there’s a very handy quick-charge function that will give you 90-minutes of juice from a three-minute charge — a very useful feature.
Cost: $59.95
2. Cowon iAudio E2
The stunningly good-looking iAudio E2 from Cowon proves that practical audio-on-the-go doesn’t have to be dowdy.
It gives the iPod shuffle a darn good run for it’s money with up to 4GB capacity, minimalist controls, brilliant file support, an 11-hour battery life and audio wizardry in the form of some proprietary tech to make your music sound amazing. All that tech snaps on with a metal ring that can be attached to a belt loop or your clothing with an optional extra clip.
Available in a rainbow of colors — white, black, orange red, violet, mocha brown, lilac silver, sky blue and pink — it’s the perfect audio player for people who dress up to go to the gym.
Cost: From around $50
3. Finis SwiMP3.1G
Doing endless laps can get tedious, so an investment like the SwiMP3 player might help you stay in the water longer.
Designed from the ground up specifically for swimmers, this completely waterproof player uses bone conduction technology — sending sound vibrations through the cheekbone to the inner ear — to avoid the muffled noise problems other underwater players can experience.
With 1GB storage (good for around 240 tracks), it attaches to your goggles or mask and offers basic controls. The 8-hour battery is rechargeable via USB.
Cost: $149.99
4. SanDisk Sansa Clip+
SanDisk’s Clip+ players (indicating a microSDHC memory card slot) are a popular choice in the budget MP3 marketplace.
The Clip is a great all-around player — there are no nasty file support omissions, it boasts good battery life (up to 15 hours) and performs well. At just 2.2 x 1.4 x 0.6 inches big, it’s small enough and cheap enough to throw in your gym bag and forget about.
The Clip+ is great for the gym. The clip on its back makes it easy to attach to clothes, and the small but bright display helps in navigating your song selection mid-workout. There’s even an FM tuner if you get bored of your own tunes. Though, with the capacity for around 2,000 songs on the 8GB model, you might never need it.
Cost: From $39.99 to $69.99 (but the 8GB model is currently $56.79 on Amazon.com)
5. Ryobi TEK4 AllPlay Jobsite MP3 Player
This rugged player comes from a tool manufacturer and is designed to withstand the rigors of a jobsite. Those qualities also make it ideal for extreme sports enthusiasts.
If you need an MP3 player that will not conk out if it comes into contact with dirt, water or suffers the odd drop or knock, the TEK4 is worth consideration. With all that action, its large buttons mean its also easy to control on the go.
It offers a 2GB storage capacity with file support for all common music formats. It also comes complete with a spring loaded clip as well as an armband and, best of all, boasts an impressive 72 hours of battery life per charge, which should see you through most outdoor sporting adventures.
Cost: Approximately $70
More Health and Exercise Resources from Mashable:
- 10 Essential iPhone Apps for Runners
- 8 Best Android Apps for Health and Fitness
- 5 Ways Social Media Helps Promote Good Health
- 5 Amazing Infographics For the Health Conscious
- 10 Free iPhone Apps to Help You Go Green
Reviews: Amazon.com
More About: cowon, exercise, gadgets, List, Lists, MP3 players, music, SanDisk, sony, sports, tech
For more Tech coverage:
- Follow Mashable Tech on Twitter
- Become a Fan on Facebook
- Subscribe to the Tech channel
- Download our free apps for iPhone and iPad