Fitness-friendly MP3 players

Jasmine France, Senior Associate Editor September 16, 2009

Being active and getting in shape isn't just about looking good--it's also about being healthy. Luckily, you needn't suffer through workouts in silent boredom--some upbeat music can provide the perfect motivation to get moving. Better yet, plenty of MP3 players available today offer some great workout-worthy extras, such as built-in belt clips, pedometers, and even calorie counters. Even an FM tuner is a great extra, since it'll let you tune into the TVs at the gym--and tune out of the sometimes mind-numbing repetition of physical activity.

Some of my favorite choices for fitness include the Haier America Trainer, an ultracompact player with a belt-clip, a built-in pedometer, and the ability to calculate calories burned. It even includes a heart-rate monitor for tracking your activity level. If you're on a budget, check out the SanDisk Sansa Clip+, which includes a belt clip and an FM tuner and starts at just $40 for 2GB. The RCA Jet Stream is also a reasonable option with a built-in stop watch, an FM tuner, sport earphones, and both arm- and wristband attachments. Plus, it offers wireless functionality and includes compatible headphones so you don't have to worry about pesky cords getting in the way of your workouts. And we can't forget the 5G iPod Nano with its FM radio, built-in pedometer, and integration with the excellent Nike+iPod software.

Of course, there's no reason to confine yourself to the treadmill and elliptical machine--the great outdoors makes the perfect gym. If cycling is your preferred training method, the Oakley Split Thump is a great choice--it's a pair of sunglasses with the MP3 player and headphones built right in. You can even remove the earbuds to use the sunglasses by themselves. For water babies who like the low-impact sport of swimming laps, there's the Finis SwiMP3, a waterproof player that uses bone-conduction technology to relay sound waves to your ears.

More Resources

Editors' top MP3 players,

Editors' top headphones,

Fitness-friendly headphones,

MP3 Insider podcast