I'm in the market for an MP3 player that I can use to listen to music
during my workouts.  However the problem is that my workout tend to be
intense and involve a lot of different activities (plyometrics, etc.)
and I need an MP3 player with the following characteristics:

-Won't skip under virtually any circumstances
-Won't get in the way of activity (I'm thinking one that wraps around
the upper arm might be best)
-Has headphones that won't fall out while I'm running and jumping

If anyone can point me to such a device (or a website that would allow
me to research whether such a device exists) that would be great.

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Clarification of Question by jpbischke-ga on 25 Jul 2003 14:17 PDT

Good info.  Is there a picture of what the headphones look like (i.e.
what type they are) anywhere on the Net?

Do you have any requirements as to size?  For example, would a small
flash mp3 player with only 128mb of memory suffice?  Or are you
looking for mass storage players?

Given your constraints, I would immediately rule out cd mp3 players.

Also, obviously most ear bud earphones will not work for you, unless
you get some of the ones that are sealed or nearly sealed (e.g. shure,
etymotic, or the sony in-ears).  I imagine that, basically, any
headphones that come with an mp3 player are not going to cut it.

One thing you should keep in mind if you do go for your own pair of
headphones is that you do *not* want them to have a microphonic cord,
as you will then hear jolts of the wire.  The etymotic er6's are an
example of a microphonic cord (the shures being non-microphonic).

Overall unless you want mass storage, i'd go with a flash or other
'solid state' like devices.  I've always liked iRiver products, such
as the ifp-390T.

A flash device probably is better (and cheaper) than the mass storage
devices (like the iPods).  I really only need to have enough content
for an hour or so and I think that 128 MB would be fine.  Essentially
the smaller the better since something big and bulky is likely to
interfere with my workout.

Headphones is probably the biggest obstacle.  Earbuds probably won't
work but I'm curious as to whether there is anything out there that I
haven't seen that might.

Hi jpbischke,

I had a similar problem, because I jog.  I ended up with a great pair
of headphones by Aiwa which put out terrific sound and don't move
around.  They sit behind the head.  I bought mine at Radio Shack.  You
can see them here and read the reviews... 5 star avg rating.

http://tinyurl.com/i21u

I bought an iRock! mp3 player, along with the armband.  I was very
pleased with those 2 purchases, and I'm very picky about my sound
quality.  The iRock also got good reviews.

Best regards,

tlspiegel

Just a quick opinion I bought a Rio MP3 player S35S.  It has 128 MB
internal I bought 256 MB SD card off the internet using
Pricegrabber.com.

http://www.digitalnetworksna.com/rioaudio/default.asp

The thing has a Radio Tuner and wears nicely around upper arm.  I love
the head phones they wrap around the ear.  Decent Volume (not
fantastic).  The big complaint I have heard from others is it only
takes 1 AAA battery and the battery life is just ok.  But not
horrible.  Keeps it light.  So I look at it as a bonus not a negative.

I highly suggest which ever you get plan on upgrading the memory.

Just my 2 cents

I think I sent the wrong link...

http://www.digitalnetworksna.com/shop/_templates/item_main_Rio.asp?model=95&cat=33

The other has less memorty.