The purpose of these five new headphones is to accomplish the following:

Premium sound, excellent fit and a high resistance against external influences such as water, sweat or cold: these are the features that characterize the new range of sports earphones from Sennheiser and adidas.

While all of the headphones have similarities, Sennheiser has spent additional time in creating slight variations and even went as far as to create some of the headphones specialized more for indoor workouts rather than outdoor workouts.

One thing you’ll notice from these five headphones is that four of them are improvements on their predecessors.  Let’s take a look.

PMX 685i

Predecessor: PMX 680i

PX 655i

Predecessor: None

OCX 685i

Predecessor: OMX 680

MX 685

Predecessor: MX 680

CX 685

Predecessor: CX 680

All five of the new Sennheiser headphone models will be available September 2012 and once we’ve had a chance for a more in depth review we’ll report back what we find.

Source: Sennheiser USA

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SOUL Electronics recently announced a new partnership with the world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt.  The Olympic Athlete and track star will be representing SOUL throughout the year at several scheduled events.  You can also expect to see Bolt featured in a new video series called “SOUL of Greatness” which is being created to inspire people worldwide to reach their goals.

When asked about his new partnership with SOUL, Bolt replied, “I work hard at attaining my goals and in addition, I always try to inspire others to work hard and attain their dreams. I am looking forward to working with SOUL to deliver this message.”

In addition, Bolt will begin to work with SOUL on his own special edition headphones that are expected to be released late this summer.  They are rumored to be named the RUN FREE headphones by SOUL.  Little information has been released, but SOUL stated they will be Bluetooth earbuds with removable ear safety hooks for added stability.  Our best guess is they will be somewhat similar to the Jaybird Freedom, which also utilizes removable ear hooks.

SOUL stated that the new sport earbuds will be “a version of the company’s popular SL300 that pays a stylish homage to the athlete’s home, Jamaica.”  The SL300 (pictured above) are fairly bulky to be used for running or working out, so our guess is they may utilize the same sleek design, but will be significantly different.

Just before the 2012 Olympics started we told you Usain Bolt would be working with SOUL Electronics to develop some of his very own headphones, or at least SOUL headphones with his own twist.  The wait is now over.

After completely dominating the field in every event he was in Usain Bolt’s latest headphones by SOUL are also now leading the charge of Olympic inspired headphones.

These are essentially the SOUL SL300JAM with a little Jamaican flavor and the famous Usain Bolt pose on the earphones.  They’re a little larger than most workout headphones, but with hinges on the headband they may just do the trick.

Click here to get the Usain Bolt Headphones

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We’ve seen a number of swimmers walking to the with headphones on refusing to take them off until moments before slipping into the water before an event.  Unfortunately a lot of fans have been expressing dismay towards this popular trend.  Many of the fans have never been athletes and just don’t understand how much focus is required to compete at such high levels, and for many Olympians, music is the key to that focus.

So, who all have we seen so far wearing headphones?

Well, Sun Yang was seen sporting a pair of Beats by Dre prior to his gold medal performance the other night.  This isn’t all that surprising seeing as how Beats by Dre have possibly become the most popular headphones in the world and seemingly in just a couple short years.

What really gets people talking is when Michael Phelps, possibly the greatest Olympian ever, starts wearing headphones before all of his events.  Phelps has been seen wearing a massive pair by Sol Republic.

When Kevin Lee, chief executive of Sol Republic, was asked about Phelps wearing Sol Republic he said he did not know that Phelps would be wearing his company’s headphones during the Games.

It doesn’t end with just Michael Phelps and Sun Yang though.  Ryan Lochte, Park Tai-hwan, and Liam Tancock have also been spotted warming up mentally with a pair of sports cans.

With Track and Field events starting you can bet that you’ll see even more athletes wearing headphones prior to their events starting and we wouldn’t be surprised to see Usain Bolt in a new pair of SOUL headphones at all.

The post Olympic Swimmers Use Headphones to Help Focus appeared first on Workout Headphones Pro.

SOUL Electronics recently announced a new partnership with the world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt.  The Olympic Athlete and track star will be representing SOUL throughout the year at several scheduled events.  You can also expect to see Bolt featured in a new video series called “SOUL of Greatness” which is being created to inspire people worldwide to reach their goals.

When asked about his new partnership with SOUL, Bolt replied, “I work hard at attaining my goals and in addition, I always try to inspire others to work hard and attain their dreams. I am looking forward to working with SOUL to deliver this message.”

In addition, Bolt will begin to work with SOUL on his own special edition headphones that are expected to be released late this summer.  They are rumored to be named the RUN FREE headphones by SOUL.  Little information has been released, but SOUL stated they will be Bluetooth earbuds with removable ear safety hooks for added stability.  Our best guess is they will be somewhat similar to the Jaybird Freedom, which also utilizes removable ear hooks.

SOUL stated that the new sport earbuds will be “a version of the company’s popular SL300 that pays a stylish homage to the athlete’s home, Jamaica.”  The SL300 (pictured above) are fairly bulky to be used for running or working out, so our guess is they may utilize the same sleek design, but will be significantly different.

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For women though there’s another problem entirely.  Most headphones are designed for the average male.  It’s true that a lot of manufacturers do include extra ear bud tips for different size ears, but that’s only part of the equation.

There’s really 3 factors that a lot of women are looking for in sports headphones that are difficult to find:

1. Size. Women tend to have smaller ears, so smaller earbuds or narrower frames or adjustable frames work best.
2. Style.  We review a lot of headphones that we think look great, like the Monster iSport, but sometimes (not always) girls just want something “cute,” or at the very least something stylish.
3. Lightweight.  This usually isn’t a problem, but the lighter the better.

Well, we’ve taken the time to lay out 3 completely different options with women as the focal point.

3 Cute Workout Headphones for Women

Jaybird Sportsband

Click here to read out full review

The Jaybird Sportsband is one of our all time favorite pair of workout headsets.  Not only does it have Bluetooth capabilities, but it also looks great and has a lot of adjustability in the headband and earphones.

Yurbuds Ironman Series

Click here to read out full review

The Yurbuds are another pair of headphones that are often at the top of our lists.  They feature a unique twist lock system and tend to have a slightly better fit than most other earbuds (especially those earbuds that came with your iPhone).  They sound great, they feel great, and they look great.

JVC Sports Clip Headphones

Click here to read our full review

While the JVC Sports Clip Headphones aren’t going to win any awards for best workout headphones, they certainly do look great, especially since JVC built them to match all colors of the iPod.  In addition you’ll find these headphones are a bit cheaper than the previous two, which may be more appealing.

So that’s it, that’s our quick list of cute headphones for women.  One of the best things about all the headphones on this list is that they can be used for more than just working out.  Whether you want to travel with them, take them to the beach, or go for a run with your dog around the block any of these will work just fine.

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Charles Emery, a professor of psychology at Ohio State University, performed research that actually showed that people who listened to music while working out resulted in increased scores on a verbal fluency test.

What about the people who didn’t listen to music while exercising?  Well, they only performed half as well as their counterparts who did.

Does the Type of Music Matter?

In this study the upbeat sounds of “The Four Seasons” was chosen based on previous research by other scientists in the field.

While the study didn’t include any other types of music, most people agree the type of music which works best may differ by person.

The real question is, why does music have this effect?

The answer unfortunately doesn’t seem to be that straight forward and is more of an academic question than can be explained by proper science.   Many of the scientists involved in the case study believe that while listening to music the brain has to sort out complex sounds, varying frequencies and intensities, timing, and so on.  This effort by the brain to sort through the music, so to speak, is like exercise for your mind.

“Exercise seems to cause positive changes in the nervous system, and these changes may have a direct effect on cognitive ability,” Emery said. “Listening to music may influence cognitive function through different pathways in the brain. The combination of music and exercise may stimulate and increase cognitive arousal while helping to organize cognitive output.”

While there isn’t a ton of additional data to support the idea that listening to music while working out can actually make you smarter, it’s definitely doesn’t hurt to try.

Source:

• http://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/hartsong.htm

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What is Interactive Metronome Training?

Research continues to indicate that different sports movements necessitate specific actions from certain parts of the brain.  Interactive metronome (IM) training (similar to neurofeedback training) involves monitoring brain wave activity in relation to an athlete’s optimal performance.

The main difference between IM training and neurofeedback training is the emphasis on promoting synchronized timing of the brain.

IM training utilizes sports headphones that are integrated with a computer (or several computers) to precisely measure specific motor movements in relation to cognitive response.  The main idea is to train athletes to react faster through the use of auditory and visual devices.

The mind works in mysterious ways, so it is not always straightforward, but as technology increases you may see more and more elite athletes utilize some of this new technology, such as interactive metronome training, to gain a competitive edge.

Source: http://www.norwichbulletin.com/sports/x586824256/Neurofeedback-training-may-enhance-athletic-performance#axzz1q6SwRODy

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What kind of effect does music really have on exercise and working out and is there such thing as the “right tunes”?

For over 20 years, sports psychologist at Brunel Uniersity, Costas Karageorghis, has studied the correlation between exercise, heart rate, and music.  Karageorghis has also worked with popular brands such as Sony and Nike and the music industry in general on consultation to create CDs tailored to working out.

Choosing the Right Tempo

The research performed by Karageorghis specifically shows that background music or music delivered via headphones can reduce the perception of effort by up to 10%.  It’s not just effort that is effected though, as this has collateral benefits like increasing endurance and efficiency.  However, not all music is created equal.

The rhythm and beat (or tempo) of the music are important qualities to consider.  To keep it simple think of the beat of the music in terms of heart beats.  Your music should match your level of effort.  So if you’re on the treadmill jogging with a heart rate of around 130 beats per minutes then you should try to find songs in a range of 110 to 120 beats per minute.  However, studies show that there are diminishing returns on the effect a fast paced song has on energy levels.  Anything over 80% of your heart rate starts to have little to no effect (and to some people can actually be annoying!).

What if you happen to like slow jams?

That may still work.  While studies show that it’s optimal to listen to music that is up beat it can also be beneficial to listen to music that is uplifting, especially any songs that you might have a strong emotional tie to.

Take Your Workout to the Next Level With Technology

Nike and Motorola are well aware of the effects of music on exercise and fitness, and have thus created products specifically tailored to delivering the right music at the right time.

Nike was the first to create such a product with their Nike +, which they later teamed with Apple on.

Most recently though Motorola created the MOTOACTV which is supposed to determine exactly which songs increase performance the most and then prioritize your MP3 player to deliver the right songs at the right time.

In addition to Nike and Motorola, if you happen to use iTunes as your main source of songs then you can also purchase Tangerine, which is an app that helps create playlists for you by analyzing the intensity (or BPM) of songs already on your playlist.

There really is no excuse for not being equipped with the right music for your next workout.

What Can You Do if Listening to Music isn’t Permitted?

In many situations athletes aren’t permitted to compete while listening to music, even though they may have spent months training.  Karageorghis encourages athletes to instead imagine a particular song that they are familiar enough with to “play” in their head during the event.  This can still have a significant effect on effort and focus.

Now that you know how to choose the right song and that listening to music while training will increase your overall effort then make sure you don’t leave home without workout headphones.

Recommended Reading:

• The Beat Goes On: The Effects of Music on Exercise

References:

• The Psychological Effects of Music in Sports and Exercise
• Relationship Between Exercise Heart Rate and Music Tempo

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Well, hopefully we can put an end to that for you.  We’ve put in a good number of hours to try and find the best ways to avoid tangling your workout headphones.

These are not listed in any particular order, but they’re all worth checking out.  You may even be able to implement some of these ideas without spending a penny!

7 Ways To Avoid Tangling Your Earbuds

#1 Budwrap

The Budwrap is probably our favorite pick, but unfortunately they’re not yet released.  The inventor successfully completed his kickstarter campaign and is ramping up to get these going.  Simply wrap your earbuds using the Budwrap and carry them on your wrist or off.  Simple, yet ingenious.

#2 Stashcord

The Stashcord is another cool anti-tangling device for headphones.  One great thing about the Stashcord is it doesn’t require you to wrap or kink your headphone cable at all, something that can definitely damage the headphones if done repeatedly.

The Stashcord simply uses a lightweight fabric to wrap around the cables.  You simple slide the Stashcord over the cable fully when you’re ready to stash them and then just slide it down a bit when you’re read to rock out.  You could also remove the Stashcord each time, but that would just take a bit longer.

#3 Smartwraps

Smartwraps are a silicone rubber earphone cable management system by Sumajin.  They look very similar to something an electrician may use to wrap extra cable.  Essentially you just wrap the cable around the center of the Smartwraps and loop them in the hooks on the outer ends to keep the cord from tangling.

They come in 3 different colors: gray, white, and black.

#4 Gear Tie

The Gear Tie is nothing but a glorified twist tie, which is why they work so great and are incredibly cheap.  Let’s not forget they’re reusable.  Of everything available these are probably your best option in terms of price and functionality.

In addition, they come in tons of different colors and you get a 4-pack when you purchase them.  You’ll end up paying around $1 per Gear Tie, which you’re not likely to ever find a simpler way to keep your headphone cords untangled (though make sure you check out our do-it-yourself (DIY) options below).

#5 Zipbuds

If you really want to take it to extremes you could always go with a pair of headphones that don’t use cables, but zippers!  These things are actually pretty neat.  We haven’t tried them out, but couldn’t find many complaints in regards to sound quality.

One thing that is pretty obvious is that they’re going to be a bit heavier than typical earbuds, so you may end up sacrificing a good fit just to keep your headphones untangled.  This wouldn’t be our top pick, but definitely an interesting design and pretty fashionable too.

Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Options

Our last two options are actually some tips we found over at Lifehacker.

#6 Headphone Cord Wrap

In their first DIY method they show a video on How to Wrap a Headphone Cord.  It’s a pretty neat little trick that allows you to wrap your headphone cables after you’re done in a slip-knot type fashion.

#7 Binder Clip

They’re second method teaches you How to Wrap Your Headphones with a Binder Clip.

Well, that’s it for keeping your headphones tangle free.  Hopefully you can avoid that frustration from now on.  Though, if you don’t want to try any of these neat tricks, then be sure to check out headphone cords that utilize the flat, tangle-free cable (like Monster iSport).

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The problem is that no one really seems to be addressing the root cause.  Just to clarify, headphones are not the root cause.  Music is not the root cause.

So, what’s the root cause?

Awareness.

The bottom line is that no matter what you’re doing outdoors, if you’re going to be training around live traffic or around any other environmental dangers then you need to be aware of your surroundings.

Headphone manufacturers are very aware of this fact and have been, especially as of late, creating sports headphones that allow the runner to enjoy their music while maintaining awareness.

The bottom line is that you can run safely with headphones, if you are willing to take the necessary precautions.

6 Safety Tips for Listening to Music While Running with Headphones

We’ve compiled a list of five simple tips that will help you become a safe runner outdoors.

Tip #1 – Don’t wear noise cancelling headphones.

If you’re not sure what noise cancelling or noise isolating headphones are then you can checkout our article on the differences between them here.

Noise cancelling headphones block out sound around you.  And like we mentioned above you need to be aware of your surroundings if you’re going to run and listen to music.

Tip #2 – Wear headphones with reflective material.

If you’ll be running at after dusk or before dawn it’s a good idea to wear running earphones with reflective material.  Choose a quality pair like the Polk Audio UltraFit 3000 Headphones.

Tip #3 – Utilize the Awareness! iPhone App.

The Awareness! iPhone App is one of the top 500 apps and is essential for anyone running and listening to music from their iPhone.  This app let’s you listen to music and still hear things around you, like people talking.

Tip #4 – Find a running group.

The old adage remains true here: safety in numbers.  A group of two or more individuals running is much more visible than just one person.  So if you are set on listening to music while you run, try to do it with another person.

Tip #5 – Consider wearing on ear workout headphones.

Headphones like the Motorola S305 that sit on top of the ear rather than in the ear allow the user to adjust the headphone in order to pick up some ambient noise, such as cars.

Tip #6 – Keep your volume down.

Turning your volume up can drown out the sounds around you, so be sure not to turn your volume up too loud.  Besides, it could be damaging your hearing.

Which Running Headphones Should You Choose?

Now that you have a better idea of how to run safely while listening to music, we wanted to provide you with some running headphones to choose from.

Click here to see our picks for Best Headphones for Runners

Regardless of what you do while you train always be aware of your environment and consider safety before anything else.

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