What’s The Best Way To Listen To Music While Running?

Just about everybody loves music. In fact, when it comes to training and keeping fit, it is much easier to get a session done when you have good music to keep you motivated. Luckily for us, there are plenty of top-quality devices to choose from that make training with music incredibly easy. These devices can even be used to catch up on some reading or studying while on your runs. 

From bone conduction headphones to wireless earphones – you will be sure to find something that suits your needs and wants. However, it is essential to note that there are a lot of features to consider before investing in a product. 

In this article, we will be discussing a number of ways in which you can listen to your favorite songs while out running. More so, we will mention a few products to make the task a little bit easier for yourself. 

Bone Conduction Headphones/Earphones

One of the most popular devices used to listen to music when running is bone conduction headphones. There are a number of reasons why these headphones are so ideal for training. 

Bone conduction headphones are designed to fit directly onto the listener’s cheekbones. For this reason, the eardrum does not vibrate to pass the information along to the cochlea. Instead, bone conduction headphones work by sending the music vibrations directly to the cochlea, producing a much clearer and higher-quality sound. 

Due to the lack of eardrum involvement, this type of technology is suitable for runners with hearing disabilities. Bone conduction headphones also add an extra element of safety while out on your run. 

When running, it is very important that you pay attention to your surroundings. This is especially true if you tend to run in busy areas with cars and other types of traffic. If you run with regular headphones or earphones, you will struggle to hear what is going on around you, increasing the risk of an accident. However, with bone conduction headphones, you will still be able to hear reasonably well. 

These headphones are also known for producing a great sound. More so, you won’t have to worry about the earpieces falling out or moving around while out on your run. Instead, the headphones sit firmly on your cheekbones, making them ideal for activities that involve plenty of movement. 

There are plenty of top-quality bone conduction headphones on the market that you should consider. This particular model of headphones is becoming increasingly popular amongst runners, making it a viable option. AfterShokz and Bose are some of the biggest brands if you are looking for a good pair of bone conduction headphones. 

Wearable MP3 Players

Wearable MP3 players aren’t as modern as bone conduction headphones. However, there are still a number of benefits that come with using this technology. 

In short, you can upload your favorite music to MP3 players. By simply connecting a pair of earphones or headphones, you can listen to songs anywhere and at any time. MP3 players are often incredibly durable and solid, making them perfect for running. 

Wearable MP3 players are easy to carry around and often can simply be clipped to your clothes or tucked into a pocket. Even though there are more advanced devices being released every year, many athletes choose to stick with MP3 players. This is due to the fact that these products are incredibly convenient and reliable. 

Some of the more modern wearable MP3 players are waterproof, making them perfect for high-intensity activities. It is important to note that MP3 players are also usually reasonably priced when compared to competitor products. For this reason, if you are shopping on a budget, MP3 players should definitely be added to your list of considerations. 

One of the most popular options on the market is the SanDisk Clip Sport Plus. This particular product is specifically designed to be worn by runners, making it an ideal option. The device can store more than 2000 songs at a time and is known for its top-quality sound production.

Wireless Headphones/Earphones

When it comes to running, wireless over ear headphones/earphones are ideal. If you purchase a wired product, your arms could get tangled in the wires and pull out the connection jack. For this reason, it is much more convenient to simply invest in a wireless option. 

Luckily for you, wireless headphones/earphones are the next big thing. You will be sure to find plenty of top-quality options on the market to choose from. For example, Bose and Beats are two incredibly popular brands that are known for their world-renowned wireless headphones.  There’s others newer brands like Jabra that are popular now as well.

These devices work by connecting to your smartphone using Bluetooth. This means that your phone will need to be within a 20m range on your run. 

However, it is important to note that your music can be managed without the use of your smartphone. Most wireless headphones feature buttons that can be used to play, pause, fast-forward and skip songs. This is incredibly convenient while running, as you will not have to dig your phone out and take your eyes off of the road ahead of you. 

Unlike wired headphones, wireless options have to be charged. With that being said, most products usually have reasonable battery lives. To be more specific, one charge usually lasts between 10 and 15 hours. However, this depends on the price and model of the product that you have purchased. 

Some of the more popular options are:

Smartwatches

Smartwatches seem to be taking over nowadays. With that being said, there are plenty of benefits that come with investing in a smartwatch, especially for athletes and runners. 

These devices can be used to track your workouts. If you invest in a watch that features a GPS tracker, you will be provided with a number of important stats after your run is completed. For example, the smartwatch will be able to tell you how far you ran, what your heart rate was during the session, where you ran, and what your pace was. 

On top of this, smartwatches are able to connect to smartphones. In this way, you will be able to play music directly from your watch. Instead of bringing your phone with you on your run, you can simply connect your wireless headphones/earphones to your watch. This also makes managing the music much easier and more convenient. 

Most smartwatches feature companion apps that make it that much easier to analyze your sessions. Once your run is complete, the watch will automatically sync to your phone and upload the session. You can then log onto your account and view your run in a lot more detail. For serious athletes, this is a very helpful feature. 

There are plenty of top-quality smartwatches out there for you to consider. For example, the Apple range is extremely popular amongst athletes. You will also be able to find great quality Samsung, Garmin, Polar, Suunto, and Coros watches. 

Remember though, not all smartwatches contain GPS and are fitness tracker and vice versa, not all GPS fitness trackers and watches will have smartwatch features. There is a difference.

Here’s some popular options to go with:

Run On The Treadmill

One of the easiest ways to listen to music while running is by simply running on a treadmill. If you are lucky enough to have one at home, you could always just use a speaker or play music directly from your phone. 

One of the biggest problems that arises when running outside with your phone is a lack of safety. Your headphones/earphones signal to onlookers that you are running with a phone, making you an easy target for thieves and pickpockets. More so, your music can be a big distraction when running outside. 

With that being said, you won’t have to worry about these safety concerns on the treadmill. Instead, you will be able to focus on your music and getting the session done properly. 

For Your Phone…

Running with your phone in your hand is not ideal or convenient. For this reason, it is highly recommended that you invest in a phone case.

This product can be worn on your arm or around your waist. It is designed to carry your phone so that you do not have to hold it while on your run. The case can also be used to store your keys and other items that you bring with you on your workouts. 

Summary

If you are a runner who enjoys listening to music while you train, there are plenty of ways in which to do this. Bone conduction headphones are becoming increasingly popular amongst athletes. You should also consider investing in a wearable MP3 player or a pair of wireless headphones/earphones.

If you are concerned about your safety when running outside with music, you may want to consider treadmill running. There are also a number of smartwatch devices that connect directly to your phone, making it much easier to manage your music when running. Finally, it is highly recommended that you invest in a case if you are going to be running outside with your phone.