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iPod touch anyone successfully using iPod Touch at the gym?

A

apple_iBoy

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Oct 28, 2003
735
495
Philadelphia, PA
Hey guys...

I've gotten someone an iPod nano as a Christmas gift.

I'm thinking maybe the iPod Touch would be a nicer option for $100 more. The only trouble is, this is for someone who runs a lot. Is the Touch at all appropriate?

I just figured he'd kinda dig watching videos on a bigger screen and maybe using the wifi, and maybe that would compensate for the bulkier size and (perhaps) less run-friendly interface? But if not a good match for athletic use, I'll stick with what I have.

I'm giving this gift tomorrow, so I only have a couple hours left to run back to the Apple store and exchange, if I decide to.

Let me know what you think, please!! Any firsthand accounts of running with a Touch would be very appreciated.
 
I've used my iPhone at the gym tons of times. While not an iPod touch, its pretty close. Unless the iPod touch comes with headphones with the little clicker to change tracks, its a bit of a pain when running to change tracks using the touch screen. I've had to do that awkwardly while running and my hands are sweaty. Its not as bad as it was before the "double tap" of the home button brought up the controls, but its still not ideal.

I think they will enjoy a touch more overall, though, as it is really an awesome player + web browser.
 
yes and no, kinda depends on if your friend is clumsy or not.

there's pockets on the treadmill that allow you to put water and stuff like the touch. but then i have seen people dropping the touch or other smaller mp3 players while running (both treadmill and real world). personally i have a nano but i got a shuffle for running and gym. but then again i've seen folks who like to bring in their own dvd players to the gym... sorry i can't be more helpful, but i guess it really depends on your friend.
 
I have an iPod Nano for the gym and a Touch that I carry around for everything else.

It is harder to change songs on the fly with a Touch and even to do the volume, you need to unlock the screen. With the Nano, you can just click it without even looking. I know the normal clickwheel can be slower to respond when sweaty - not sure how the Touch would fair.

If he's interested in using the Nike+ stuff to track his runs, then the Nano is the only option.

If someone was going to buy me one, then I'd rather have the Touch but I'm not sure it's best suited to the gym environment. If you reckon that he'll use it even more outside the gym, then go for it.
 
I appreciate all the fast replies.

This is a replacement for an older style nano that he lost (and is still kicking himself about). He has the Nike+ thing, but I don't think he really was using it much because it seemed a little buggy.

I think he does flip back and forth between songs a good bit while running, and he's a bit rough on his belongings. I never really used a Touch before, so I'm not super familiar with how the interface works. If it's too cumbersome to change songs/settings on the go, that might be a deal-killer.


It's a tough call though -- he rides a bus to work and I could see him really enjoying watching tv/movies on the Touch's screen. But really what he really misses is music while running.

Grrr... shopping for others....
 
Maybe someone can clarify this for me.

If you're listening to a playlist on the Touch, does it stay accessible without "unlocking" the screen? So if you're listening and 5 minutes later reach down to flip forward a song or change the volume, are those controls immediately accessible, or has the screen gone back to the Home or locked itself?
 
apple_iBoy said:
If you're listening to a playlist on the Touch, does it stay accessible without "unlocking" the screen? So if you're listening and 5 minutes later reach down to flip forward a song or change the volume, are those controls immediately accessible, or has the screen gone back to the Home or locked itself?
Click to expand...

It locks itself. You need to push the home button and slide along the screen. But then it doesn't go to the Home screen, it will open to the song that is currently playing in your playlist. If you push the home button twice, the controls flash up onto the screen.
 
My first iPod came with a remote control that you could clip onto your clothing. I see that they sell a remote control now with radio functionality, but it's not listed as compatible with iPod Touch.
 
apple_iBoy said:
Maybe someone can clarify this for me.

If you're listening to a playlist on the Touch, does it stay accessible without "unlocking" the screen? So if you're listening and 5 minutes later reach down to flip forward a song or change the volume, are those controls immediately accessible, or has the screen gone back to the Home or locked itself?
Click to expand...

You can access controls by double taping the home screen at any time to skip to the next song or go back to the last song. If I were going shopping for an iPod i would get the touch, but I already have it and couldn't be happier. And no it isn't hard to access a list of songs either. But, ultimately its up to you, if you want to spend $100 more go for it. If you will have second thoughts don't. Good luck! And Merry Christmas!
 
I use mine at the gym in conjunction with Logitech wireless headphones. I can't stand dangling wires so wireless headphones are a must for me. The ipod touch is great because I can watch a one hour TV show while working out. The screen is just big enough to be seen as it sits on the machines' dash.

I wouldn't want a smaller screen or wires.
 
iPod Touch at the gym

I have very cuatiosly been using my Ipod Touch at the gym, it remains in my rear pocket when Im doing shrugs, curls, tricep kick backs ahd when doing cycling and then switches over to a side pocket when doing dumbbell preses etc... Its woked absolutelty fine. :D
 
I have Shuffle for running and working out, it's tougher, lighter, easier to use while running, and it doesn't get in the way of things. I like the fact that I can clip it anywhere on my shirt or shorts.

So if you ask me shuffle is the only way to go for working out.

I use my IPhone's IPod everywhere else.
 
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