Since most people either own or consider owning Apple AirPods, some of the most common questions they ask are related to gym use and sweat damage.
While you can’t use first and second-generation AirPods at the gym because they are not sweat resistant, you can use AirPods Pro. The latter model is not only sweat-resistant and IPX4-rated, but they are also explicitly designed for gyming. However, many still avoid taking them to the gym.
The reason is partly their premium price and the risk of them falling out and damaging during heavy workouts.
If you want to use your Apple AirPods in the gym, you’ll have to be extra cautious. For example, you should avoid charging the AirPods while they’re still wet and wait for them to dry completely.
Moreover, even with the AirPods Pro, the sweat resistance might wear off. If you’ve owned your pair for quite some time, you might notice signs of wear and tear or even sweat/water damage.
Which Apple AirPods Are Water Resistant & What Happens If There’s Water Damage?
All generations of the AirPods Pro are both water- and sweat-resistant. Not only this, but many consider the AirPods Pro the best earbuds released. However, since AirPods are almost impossible to repair, you’ll be left with only one option to get a new pair if there’s substantial water damage.
AirPods sport an ergonomic design, excellent portability, and great connectivity. They also have several unique features setting them apart from the classic AirPods. Nevertheless, the cost of replacing a single bud is significant for many users.
Warranties or even Applecare+ don’t cover the damages. The latter will, however, reduce the price of replacing the buds for you by a significant margin. A spilled liquid is considered a risk and therefore covered by Applecare+.
Which Apple AirPods Should I Buy For The Gym?
The AirPods Pro is IPX4 sweat- and water-resistant and is excellent for exercising and non-water sports. The AirPods Pro is significantly better than the original AirPods in terms of sound quality. Furthermore, it is less likely to fall out of your ears as it has a snug fit.
While we don’t recommend it, some people even hit the showers at the gym while wearing their AirPods Pro. Since they can only withstand water splashes, we recommend you keep them out of your gym’s sauna and the restroom.
The absence of water resistance doesn’t mean you can’t use the classic first- and second-generation AirPods at the gym. You’ll have to make sure you’re not excessively sweating on them or doing a heavy workout, which might cause them to fall out.
Why Are AirPods Pro a Good Option for The Gym?
AirPods Pro is an excellent option for the gym because it is sweat- and water-resistant. It features an ergonomic design, offers pure sound and adaptive EQ, and includes several valuable features, such as noise cancellation mode, transparency mode, voice assistance, and gesture control.
Let’s take a look at some of the many reasons many people love wearing their AirPods Pro to the gym:
- You’ll Only Need One Pair for Every Activity
With the advent of AirPods Pro, you can finally have a single pair of earbuds for every activity in your day-to-day routine. Before the release of AirPods Pro, people heavily relied on other brands for their gym headphones.
AirPod Pro users can save big bucks in the long run as these earbuds have everything we look for in gym earbuds and more.
- The New Features Can Make Your Life Easier
The AirPods Pro has features like control gestures, which eliminate the need to tap buttons for controls while you’re working out. You can control these headphones by pressing the stem; no buttons are present.
Moreover, it also has a voice assistant feature, and you can communicate easily with Siri through its new microphone. The AirPods Pro can also read your messages and includes a joint listening to audio mode.
You can listen to the same music as your friend while exercising with this device.
- It Includes a Transparency Mode Perfect For Runners And Cyclists
Runners and cyclists often need to be aware of their surroundings to stay as safe as possible. The transparency mode in AirPods Pro makes all of this possible while listening to music.
Moreover, this device’s high-quality mic and powerful microprocessor prevent sound delay, making it even safer for you to listen to music in public.
- It Has an Excellent Noise Cancellation Mode
AirPods Pro’s noise cancellation mode is far superior to many other brands. It offers the feeling of utter silence, and the noise reduction system works according to the position of the earbuds and the shape of your ear.
- Pure Sound and Adaptive EQ
AirPods Pro’s sound quality is truly a work of art. Even at half-volume power, they’re still very loud. There’s also an adaptive equalizer that handles the tuning and quality of sound. The EQ also adjusts according to your ear shape.
- An Ergonomic Design
Before AirPods Pro, many AirPods users complained that their devices kept falling out. Such complaints have been wiped out thanks to two significant changes. The first change is in the headphone design, which perfectly sits inside the ear.
Secondly, AirPods Pro comes with three sizes of flexible and soft silicone tips. The tips and the headphones’ unique conical cavity make your AirPods Pro less likely to fall off.
- Water And Sweat Resistance
AirPods Pro has received an improved IPX4 rating for water resistance, which means it can resist sweat and water. For this reason, these headphones are a perfect choice for gym-goers.
However, don’t confuse water resistance with waterproofing. While iPods Pro can resist splashes of water or sweat, you can’t submerge it in water and expect them to survive.
How Do AirPods Compare to AirPods Pro For The Gym?
The AirPods Pro is not only water- and sweat-resistant, features not found in first- and second-generation AirPods, but they’re also significantly better at reducing external noise. They come with three different sizes of silicone tips, which perfectly adapt to your ear shape to cancel out external noises.
3 Reasons to Invest In Apple AirPods For The Gym
AirPods can connect to your phone in no time and have a superior sound quality compared to many other earbud brands. Many also find the AirPods extremely convenient with their superfast charging speed.
You can charge them for about 15 minutes and enjoy a whopping 3 hours of listening. Many other features make AirPods the perfect choice for the gym.
Let’s take a look at some of them:
1. The Cordless Feature
Wireless headphones? We left them back in 2004.
Wired and wired Bluetooth headphones are not only a thing of the past but also very inconvenient at the gym. They’re constantly falling out if they’re not getting in your way during workouts.
Since AirPods are cordless and don’t get tangled, many consider taking them to the gym now. The cordless feature makes connecting, charging, and carrying relatively more straightforward.
2. They Are Lightweight
Heavy over-the-ear headphones are a thing of the past in the gym. Nobody likes carrying unnecessary weight in their ears while working out. Fortunately, AirPods are so lightweight that you can sometimes forget you’re wearing them.
Their case is also quite portable and lightweight, which weighs about 40 grams, and the AirPods weigh approximately 4 grams.
3. Great Noise Cancellation
Everyone loves excellent sound quality at the gym. iPods Pro are the top pick for many music lovers and gym-goers thanks to their high-definition sound quality and ability to remove ambient noise.
You can make working out significantly less tiring for yourself by blocking out the noise of weightlifting, cycling, or running. Furthermore, you can make your experience even better, and your workouts with be all the more worthwhile with an Apple Music subscription and an Apple Watch.
3 Reasons Apple AirPods Might Not Be Suitable for The Gym
While AirPods might seem ideal for your workouts, you should also review the negative feedback it has received from gym goers.
Due to their size and fit, people often need to remember they’re wearing AirPods at the gym, which can be a problem if you hit the shower or sauna right after your workout. Moreover, while AirPods Pro is water- and sweat-resistant, the original AirPods don’t have an official IP rating.
Water damage for such AirPods is also not covered by warranties. Moreover, even with the AirPods Pro, some people might face difficulties if they sweat more than others. The following are some more reasons not to invest in Apple AirPods for gym use:
1. The Premium Price Tag
We all know that AirPods are on the market’s premium side of earbud brands. So, unless you have massive amounts to burn away, we’d recommend picking something more budget-friendly and easier to replace in case of damage.
2. They Aren’t Waterproof
Unlike AirPods Pro, the first- and second-generation AirPods are not waterproof. When water enters AirPods, it can damage the device’s battery, circuits, and wiring, among other things. In such events, there’s also the risk of your AirPods producing a charge and shocking you, specifically if you’re charging them while they’re still wet.
Even a tiny droplet of sweat can potentially short-circuit the AirPods, and their case is susceptible to such damage. Moreover, splashes of water, which are otherwise safe for water- and sweat-resistant devices, can deteriorate their sound quality over time.
3. Accidents and Mishaps
While there’s no doubt that the AirPods fit perfectly in the ear, that doesn’t mean they will never fall out. Heavy movements, such as those required for high-intensity workouts, can easily make your AirPods fall out.
Such accidental falls can permanently damage your AirPods since they will hit the floor hard during your workout. And replacing them could prove costly, making it not worth the risk for some.
Precautions To Take While Working Out with Your Apple AirPods
We highly recommend that you take off your AirPods when you enter a sauna or a tanning bed. These moisture-filled and relatively warmer temperatures can cause your headphones to break down frequently.
The recommended temperatures for AirPods are between 32º to 95º F (0º to 35º C). Your AirPods might survive slightly higher temperatures but not those significantly higher, for example, those in a sauna or an indoor ski trip.
Even after your shower at the gym, ensure that your ears are completely dried off before you put your AirPods back in.
Will My AirPods Fall Out If I Workout While Wearing Them?
While some have reported that their original AirPods fell off during workouts, it’s improbable and typically rare for this to happen. All generations of AirPods are designed to fit perfectly inside your ears and remain there while you move about.
However, they may lose their grip if you shake your head or move heavily. Such movements can cause the AirPods to fall out. In contrast, working out and running shouldn’t mess with their grip on your inner ear.
They will remain inside your ear 9 out of 10 times, the same as any other brand of earbuds. With that said, you should use memory foam or silicone tips with your AirPods for added fall protection.
Related Reading:
Can AirPods fly out of the case when dropped? Click here to find out.
Does Sweat Cause AirPods to Fall Out?
Sweat doesn’t make it any easier for your AirPods to fall out of your ears. The sweat from your workouts or higher body temperature will not likely reduce the grip. However, this is more true for AirPods Pro than for the first- and second-generation AirPods.
You’ll be good to go with your AirPods Pro, even in humid or warm climates. You’ll have no trouble if you take your AirPods off before you get into the shower.
Features To Look for When Buying Gym Headphones
Gone are the days of using wired headphones that get tangled and slow you down in the gym. Your gym headphones should be wireless, featuring an ergonomic design that comfortably fits your ear. It would be best to look for additional features, such as noise cancellation, comprehensive touch controls, and voice assistant control, for a relatively more enhanced experience.
And, of course, the sound quality and battery life should also suit your needs and requirements. Since wireless, in-ear headphones are for those who are always on the go, you should also look for headphones with a portable charging case.
How To Pair Your AirPods with Apple Watch At The Gym?
To connect your AirPods with your Apple Watch at the gym:
- Tap on Settings on your Apple Watch and then click on Bluetooth.
- Wait for the watch to show your AirPods as a nearby Bluetooth accessory to connect to.
- Tap on the AirPods and enter a pin or a passkey if asked.
Want to know how many devices your AirPods can connect to at once? Read this article to find out.
Benefits of Pairing Your Apple Watch with Your AirPods at The Gym
Pairing your Apple Watch with your AirPods will be life-changing, especially at the gym. Combining these two devices for your workouts will offer you numerous benefits. Let’s look at some of the benefits of connecting your Apple Watch to your AirPods at the gym:
- Performance Tracking
You can use them to monitor your heart rate and other vitals while working out using your Apple Watch and AirPods.
- Phoneless Exercise
You’ll have everything you need during your workout on your Apple Watch and AirPods. So, you can work out without the hassle of carrying your phone with you everywhere.
- Easy Access To Notifications
You can check all your notifications and even pick up calls while working out if you pair your Apple Watch and AirPods.
- Reviewing Your Battery Life
You can swipe up on your Apple Watch’s home screen to check how much battery life you’ve got on your AirPods.
- Convenient Volume Control
You can spin the crown of your watch to adjust the volume of your AirPods without touching them or using Siri or your phone.
Final Thoughts
It is pertinent to note that if you own first- or second-generation AirPods, they will likely get damaged due to sweat. On the other hand, if you own AirPods Pro, which is sweat- and water-resistant, you’ll probably have no problem using them at the gym.
AirPods Pro is a good option for the gym, given its ergonomic design, excellent sound quality, and many additional features that offer good value for money. These features include gesture control, voice assistant control, and transparency mode – to name a few.
I quit my full-time job and started my journey as a freelance copywriter and content writer, and I believe it was one of the best decisions I’ve made so far because I absolutely love it. I’ve been writing tech-related guides, how-to’s, articles, and informational pieces for a long time, and I especially love testing and reporting on various types of headphones.