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iPod Which iPod for the gym?!

G

GreenStripe

macrumors member
Original poster
Jan 11, 2009
81
0
I currently use a last gen iPod nano at the gym (I don't really use an iPod at any other time) and it gets SO annoying trying to find a place for it, so I'm looking at the new iPods.

The question is, nano or shuffle?
I have 48GB of music so there's no way I'm getting all my music on either of them but the nano would definitely give me more options. However, I (like everyone) have workout favorites so maybe I could make do with the 2GB shuffle? I don't even know how many songs can fit on that..

But also, is it just me or is the new nano SO stylish? If the screen is always on displaying album art, that just seems like a great accessory let alone a good device. Which brings me to my next question, how operable will the nano be? I feel like a touch screen has to be operated while looking at it, but if its clipped onto your clothing, how exactly do you look at it? Seems clunky

So tell me what you think!
 
The new Shuffle will support multiple playlists, that you can choose via voiceover which speaks the names to you. The prior Shuffle did the same as well, though some people are quite happy to see the buttons back, and the buttons may assist you in selecting that playlist and activating voiceover, whereas the prior Shuffle required you to use the headphones controls.

2GB is about 1500-2000 songs depending on bitrate. Plenty of room to keep quite a few gym workouts, enough that by the time you get tired of them you make new ones and re-sync.

The new Nano is very cool and the clip is a great feature, especially for the gym. You get more storage and easier controls and access. Either way you can skip a track or adjust the volume easily via headphones controls on your Nano or Shuffle. At that point it comes down to storage size and price. $49 vs. $149/$179. And of course controls and access.
 
I love the new shuffle; for something so cheap, we've got proper buttons, multiple playlists (a big hit for me, was one of the reasons I didn't get the 2g ipod shuffle when the 3rd one was out), and it looks pretty great.

Put my order in yesterday, I was really hoping this was where they would go with the shuffle. Wouldn't have been ecstatic if it had gone completely, or if they'd given it a touch screen.
 
I bought a 3rd generation iPod Shuffle last week in the Limited Edition Brushed Stainless Steel. I haven't opened it and am considering returning it and getting a new Nano. But I thought I might keep it for skiing, though the brand new Shuffle could be better for that in that it has easy access buttons. I just think the 3G Shuffle is much sexier. :D
 
roland.g said:
2GB is about 1500-2000 songs depending on bitrate. Plenty of room to keep quite a few gym workouts, enough that by the time you get tired of them you make new ones and re-sync.
Click to expand...

Question for you. How do you get 1500 to 2000 songs in 2GB? I have approximately 800 songs and it takes a little over 12 Gigs. I never alter the recorded bitrate nor do I care to. Just curious.:confused:

The Nano is the way to go for me so I don't have to change the playlists and re-sync with iTunes very often when I tire of the same songs.
 
My mistake. 2GB is approx. 400-500 songs. At 800 songs = 12GB you must be using Apple Lossless or some other uncompressed format. But AAC or MP3 at 128-256-320 Kbps will certainly give you smaller. Likewise you do have the option of importing in Lossless or a very high bitrate but then checking a box that converts to 128 for devices like the Nano or Shuffle so that you can fit more songs on low storage devices.
 
roland.g said:
My mistake. 2GB is approx. 400-500 songs. At 800 songs = 12GB you must be using Apple Lossless or some other uncompressed format. But AAC or MP3 at 128-256-320 Kbps will certainly give you smaller. Likewise you do have the option of importing in Lossless or a very high bitrate but then checking a box that converts to 128 for devices like the Nano or Shuffle so that you can fit more songs on low storage devices.
Click to expand...

That's better, I thought I was losing my mind. As I mentioned I never change the bitrate. It's always uncompressed as original since I sometimes plug the iPod into a higher end sound system. I don't put most of my CD collection into iTunes. I usually delete what I've heard enough of and upload different CD's. I currently have 701 songs which is 11.54 GB. The 16 GB Nano will be perfect for workouts. Ordering mine tomorrow:). I'll save my 80 GB V iPod since it's getting older and i've been using it for workouts up to 8 - 10 hours per week.. Thanks for the response.
 
the new shuffle or nano... with clips, they are perfect for workin out.

right now I use a 2nd gen shuffle for running, or really active workouts.

occasionally i'll use my iphone4 for fitness apps when doing less "bumpy" kinds of workout routines, like lifting weights.
 
Personally, I'd go with the Shuffle.

Mainly because it's cheaper and if you drop it, smash it, lose it etc... it won't matter much. Besides, no one needs more than 2 gigs of music at the gym.

Also, IMO, it seems that the Nano's screen would smudge easily with wet/ sweaty fingers and this might make it more difficult to operate.
 
I would also suggest the Shuffle. You said you don't use an iPod anywhere else... so you probably dont need the added functionality of the Nano.
 
I am also debating on getting the new nano/shuffle. I actually have the 5th gen ipod nano, but that generation has giving me nothing but problems. I have had 2 5th gen nano short on me during my workouts ... :( I never had such problems with my old 2nd gen nano.

Reasons why I have never changed to the shuffle is mainly because the lack of a visual screen. Plus I am really bad with maintaining playlists and such. But if you think that you can maintain your "workout" music through playlists then I would say the shuffle is for you.

I will list some of the reasons why I am thinking of getting the nano:
- Visual Screen - I also listen to podcasts, so I let to scan the different ones before I start my workout.
- More space - This translates to less managing of music and podcasts... This helps me in less prep time in organizing and reuploading new music.
- The built in clip
- Having Nike+ built into the device... no extra dongle

The major concern in the new nano is the lack of physical navigation buttons. Since I do not keep my music well organized, I tend to have music that I get sick of which I just skip over during my workout. I was nice being able to just skip without looking at the device. Also, as another poster noted, it is really hard to control a screen with sweaty hands.
 
I've always been "against" the shuffle but for the gym, this is the way to go this time, I believe. While the new Nano is great IMO, I feel it's good for the whole "walking the streets and riding the subway" type of thing. I don't want to have to a.) look at my iPod to change it while working out, and b.) have to stop running so my finger isn't touching all over the screen.

They are very inexpensive and you really don't need more than 2GB for a workout playlist.

So I'd say as far as the gym goes, a shuffle.
 
Cha said:
The major concern in the new nano is the lack of physical navigation buttons. Since I do not keep my music well organized, I tend to have music that I get sick of which I just skip over during my workout. I was nice being able to just skip without looking at the device. Also, as another poster noted, it is really hard to control a screen with sweaty hands.
Click to expand...

iMJustAGuy said:
I've always been "against" the shuffle but for the gym, this is the way to go this time, I believe. While the new Nano is great IMO, I feel it's good for the whole "walking the streets and riding the subway" type of thing. I don't want to have to a.) look at my iPod to change it while working out, and b.) have to stop running so my finger isn't touching all over the screen.
Click to expand...

Well, if you already have headphones with the remote or are willing to buy headphones with the remote, you can still have physical buttons to hit while you work out (and in my opinion, easier to use the remote without looking at the device than the click wheel. But I only ever need to fast forward/rewind/stop when I have needs of physical buttons. Though supposedly there is a way to change playlists. Since I don't really use playlists and would only use them if I couldn't change songs with a button on a whim, like when I ride my motorcycle, I have no clue how to do that with the remote).
 
Sports

Would the new iPod Nano be convenient to use to play basketball? How reliable is the clip from the previous generations of shuffle?
 
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