Is it a bad idea to use an IEM while working out?

[daniel521]

Im planning on purchasing an IEM, however, I plan to use it while working out. Sennheiser makes a sweat proof one, but is that really necessary? If I use one thats not water or sweat proof, is there a risk that it will stop working?

 

[AstroTurf]

Yes... To both questions.

Buy something that sounds good to you, and expect to replace it. Often.

 

[JK1]

Buy something cheap and sweat resistant, such as the $7 JVC Riptidz, or if want something open, get the $8 JVC earbuds wih earhooks, the  HA-EB75. Whatever you use when working out will break soon enough.

 

[nice-biscuit]

Ive been using a pair of UE Superfi 5's since 2005-06 and they're still holding up well.

 

[mongol]

Probably in the minority on this, but I'd say yeah, and not only for the IEMs sake   Just makes no sense to me to stick something in your ears during vigorous physical activity, and you can't really concentrate on the music anyway.

 

[Shark]

I use IEMs to workout all of the time. I don't use my nicest earphones, but I usually stick with my B2 or M4 by brainwavz.
I'm usually more worried about them catching on my elbow, the iem coming out, and me stepping on it while running... that's happened twice. Luckily I was using Skullcandy at the time just for working out.
I've never had an IEM die on me from just sweat.

 

[kore]

Yea me also afraid of ruining expensive iem if i wear them for working out..
So i just use my philips 3580..

 

[atty101]

I've only had earbuds fail on me while working out. IEMs have performed fine for me so far. But then, I've only been using them for just under a year. So far so good.

 

[steve2151]

I use a Meelectronics M6 with Monster gel tips. The memory wire and wider than normal tips go a long way towards keeping these things in my ears. Good sound for the buck and the only wear I've seen so far is the sweat causing the lettering to fade.
 
I've be more worried about sweat damaging circumaural headphones or earbuds. With a good seal, there shouldn't be any sweat making it to the drivers on an iem.

 

[H20Fidelity]

Quote:

Yea me also afraid of ruining expensive iem if i wear them for working out..
So i just use my philips 3580..

^^ This is the answer right here ^^

 

[tinyman392]

I hate wearing headphones or IEMs to work out...  Bone conduction becomes a problem for me
 
@OP: yes, you will always risk damage if any electronics are around any liquids.  Sweat and water are the two main ones.  There are IEMs that are water resistant and can resist though.  Accidents happen when you are moving vigorously.  I'd get something you don't mind beating up, cause you will more than likely end up replacing them.

 

[ChavaC]

M6 is where it's at for exercising. I killed 2 E2c, 2 RE0, an IE7 and a CK10 while running. M6 on the other hand has taken as much of a beating as the others but is still ticking.

 

[extrabigmehdi]

pmx680 are perfect for moving with their neckband design.

 

[Spyro]

Headphones and working out would damage the headphones because there is not a "seal" so sweat will deteriorate the pads and eventually the diaphram of the drivers.
 
I do 80% of my portable listening while working out sweating quite profusely up to 45 min and have never had a problem.  In fact it's ideal for acrylic customs because the sweat is basically locked out and can't permeate anything.  Been using my JH5's like this regularly going on 2 years now with no problems.  Did the same with W3's before that.  Your ear canals don't sweat so it is not an issue.  Besides, musicians sweat a lot under stage lights anyway.  Complys can get a bit yucky after 20-30 sweat sessions but as long as you leave them in during the workout, you should never have a problem.
 
Wear a thick nap headband (I do) to catch sweat if you are worried.

 

[JK1]

Get the JVC HA-EB75 earbuds with rubber earhooks. It is only $8 on Amazon. It sounds quite good for the price.